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".
No comments:
Post a Comment