Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, in his speech
at the NFF Annual general assembly in Lagos yesterday December 18th, said the
football body embarrassed the whole nation few weeks ago when it complained it
could not pay the winning Super Falcons their allowances but can pull out
resources to organize an annual general assembly. Speaking directly to the NFF
executives, Dalung said;
"I wish to appreciate the Executive Committee and the entire members of
the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for deeming it fit to invite me as the
Special Guest of Honour at your 72nd Annual General Assembly. However, let me
express my concern that could this General Assembly come at this period
considering the recent unwholesome developments in our football life? How can
Nigerians reconcile the claims by the NFF that it could not pay the Super
falcons for paucity of funds yet on another breath it is holding an Annual
General Meeting which the resources if deployed would have mitigated the
situation of the players. I hope this meeting will address the immediate and
remote causes of all the issues surrounding football in Nigeria which have
generated negative publicity in recent time"he said
Speaking further, Dalung said
"The NFF has
formed the habit of requesting for funds for its program at very short notice
and thereafter resort to blackmail to hasten the approval and release of such
funds from Government. We cannot continue to administer our football in this
manner any longer.
Therefore, the NFF
is directed to submit comprehensive programs for 2017 to the Ministry by
January with all request for interventions for scrutiny and effective planning.
The responsibility of NFF is very clear when dealing with national and
international competitions. And nothing below international best practices is
acceptable during preparation, qualification and participation of our National
teams.
Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates, I received a report from the NFF intimating me of
FIFA’s audit Report which raised queries on the management of $1.1 Million
FIFA’s development grant to the NFF. According to the Report, FIFA has withheld
all development funds to the Nigeria for lack of proper documentation of $802,000
out of the funds released to NFF. This is a very serious issue that must be
given urgent attention to avoid another international embarrassment, more so
that the present administration under the leadership of Mr. President, His
Excellency, Mohammadu Buhari has zero tolerance for any act of
mis-appropriation, mis-application, embezzlement or fraud in any guise.
To this end, the
NFF is directed to immediately provide my office with detail information of
receipt, disbursement and application of the FIFA development grant
accordingly. In addition, a reputable audit firm should be appointed urgently
to check the account books of the Federation to ensure that funds are
judiciously expended. The audit report must be made public so as to promote
transparency, build credibility and enhance your market value.
I wish to remark
that, it is a policy of Government to support and encourage Nigerians to vie
and aspire for position in international organizations. However such persons
must possess the requisite qualification for the post and the wherewithal to
succeed. So it was heart-warming when I received a letter from President of
NFF, Mr. Amaju Pinnick declaring his interest to vie for a position in CAF
Executive Board.
Nonetheless, my
office has been inundated with different reports suggesting that the Board of
the NFF is divided over the issue. From every indication, it seems to me that
as a Board, the issue of Mr Pinnick contesting for any position in CAF has
never been discussed.
More so that some
members of the NFF Board are claiming ignorance of Mr. Pinnick’s nomination, it
is therefore clear that something is wrong somewhere because this portraits
that there is a crack on the wall. We should be reminded that as we consolidate
on the gains of the successes recorded so far, we cannot gamble with anything
that will thwart our collective resolve to deliver the World Cup ticket to
Nigeria.
Consequently, the
NFF is hereby directed to avail the Ministry with the minutes of the meeting
where Mr. Pinnick’s nomination was discussed and approved so as to set the
records straight. If our quest for CAF seat is to materialize, then Mr. Pinick
will need the support of everybody. I therefore enjoin members of the
Federation to close ranks and build bridges without which Nigeria Football will
be adversely affected.
Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, as I end this address, I urge
you to remember that Football is almost like a religion in Nigeria and we
cannot afford to continue to do things the wrong way yet expect better results,
we must strive to get it right at all times because our action and inaction
affect Nigerians adversely.
On this note, it is my singular pleasure to declare this Annual General
Assembly open. I wish you fruitful deliberations".
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