The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau has been literally put on the slaughter’s slab over his recent appointment of Standing and Ad-Hoc committees for the FA.
Throwing the first salvo, Chairman of PFAN task force, Harrison Jalla calls on Gusau to immediately withdraw the list and come out with impeccable characters who have made their marks in football administration in the country.
Jalla said: “It is better to tinker with this list. The characters on the list are not the best hands.
“For a complete departure from the past Presidents of the Nigeria Football Federation Ibrahim Gusau must tinker with the list released yesterday the 8th of August 2023 as members of the NFF standing and Ad-hoc committees.
“A list of committee members dominated by NFF Board members without expertise is not different from what we used to have in the past. This is a very dangerous signal that would dampen the hope for change and a new order.
“Standing and Ad-hoc committees are the engine rooms of successful Football Federations worldwide. Membership of these committees should be open to qualified and competent Nigerians with expertise in different disciplines relevant to such committees to reposition Nigeria Football. Football-loving Nigerians and stakeholders have been disillusioned with the maladministration and incompetence that characterised an NFF dominated by states Football Association Chairmen agitating for reforms which the Federal government has since bought into.
“Gifting these committees to known grossly incompetent NFF Board members who also double as State Football Association Chairmen with nothing to show for Football development in their states is complete lack of seriousness to return our Football to the global stage it once attained.
“Nigeria football has suffered drastic down turn in the last 8 years and does not deserve to return to the old order. The NFF president must not erode stakeholders confidence he has garnered by getting the repositioning of the domestic leagues right. These committees cannot and should not be the exclusive preserve of the NFF Board members. That would be against the spirit of reforms Nigeria Football stakeholders hope to see in the Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF administration.”
Meanwhile, Bukola Olopade, Managing Director of foremost Nigerian Sports Marketing company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML), has expressed his delight on the appointment as a member Marketing/ Sponsorship Committee by the Nigeria Football Federation.
He said: “I am elated to be listed to serve in the Marketing and Sponsorship Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation.”
The Former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Ogun State added that it’s a privilege to be considered as one of the few individuals capable of driving the Marketing and sponsorship unit of the football ruling body in the country.
The sports management and marketing guru who has worked with reputable brands across the world however explained that he has a busy itinerary and will not be available to function as a committee member.
He said: “With due respect, I appreciate the Nigeria Football Federation under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, but at the moment, engagements won’t allow me function as a committee member.”
“Ogun State is preparing for the National Sports Festival and His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun has given me a mandate and I have to deliver. Internally too, my company, Nilayo Sports Management company is preparing for major events that requires attention.”
Hon. Olopade’s Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited are the right owners of Africa’s flagship marathon race, Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, they are also the organizers of the Great Abeokuta 10km Race, as well as the Remo Ultra Race, among others.
In the same vein, foremost football administrator and Chiarman, Imo State Football Association, Chief Amanze Uchegbulam has rejected his appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation as member of the newly constituted Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees.
Chief Uchegbulam, who was listed as a member of the Facilities Committee said that he has been serving in several committees in NFF and CAF since 1994.
According to him, the younger ones should be given the opportunity to serve.
He recommended the current Vice Chairman of Imo FA to serve in the Facilities Committee.
His words: “Dear President Ibrahim Gusau, my attention has been drawn to the circulation on social media of the newly formed Ad-hoc committees of NFF wherein, I saw my name in Facilities committee.
“While I sincerely thank you for considering me worthy to serve, I regretfully REJECT the appointment. The reason is simple, I have been serving in several committee’s both NFF and CAF since 1994 , and I think I should give opportunity to the younger ones, one of which I shall recommend to take my slot if it suits you.
“I am referring to Barr. Ifeanyi Dike, the current Vice Chairman of Imo FA. I find him capable and competent for the assignment.”
