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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