The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Maigari

  • Imenger hails Maigari’s impeachment

    Imenger hails Maigari’s impeachment

    The General Manager of Lobi Stars Football Club, Barnabas Imenger, on Friday said Aminu Maigari’s impeachment on Thursday as president of Nigeria Football Federation was good for Nigerian football.

    Imenger told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that Nigerian football would turn a new face with the removal of corrupt people from football administration.

    “This is good for Nigerian football, because all corrupt and bad football managers should be flushed out of Nigerian football.

    “If all the allegations against him are true, then there is no hope for him to be reinstated.

    “I will also say that the impeachment should not only involve him (Maigari), but also all the entire members of the board.

    “This will act as a deterrent to all future president of the Federation.

    “We all know that Nigerian football is suffering, and there is the need for a total reform in conformity to global trends so that we can move ahead,’’ the former Super Eagles striker told NAN.

  • NFF to ‘weed out’ corrupt officers

    NFF to ‘weed out’ corrupt officers

    Acting president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mike Umeh, has said he will lead the fight to rid Nigerian football of “all corrupt officers.”

    Erstwhile president of the Federation, Aminu Maigari was on Thursday impeached “on grounds of financial misappropriation, misapplication and maladministration.”

    Umeh, who took the reins following Maigari’s impeachment, said move to rid the Glass House of “individuals of questionable character is ongoing as we look to repair the damage done to Nigerian football.”

    “We want to assure Nigerians that we will not relent in adopting due process in showing corrupt officers of the NFF the way out.

    “I can state through this medium without fear or favour that the procedure of kicking out individuals of questionable character is ongoing as we look to repair the damage done to Nigerian football.

    “That is my immediate mandate. We are not small boys. We know what to do,” he told supersport.com on Thursday.

    Umeh will preside over the affairs of the NFF, pending the composition of the new executive committee of the Federation after August 26 elections.

  • Shehu Adamu: Why we impeached Aminu Maigari

    Shehu Adamu: Why we impeached Aminu Maigari

    The chairman, finance committee of the Nigeria Football federation (NFF), Shehu Adamu who moved the motion for the impeachment of NFF president, Aminu Maigari, spoke with SL10 on why the NFF boss was impeached.

    Shehu Adamu also spoke on Keshi’s future.

    What made you move a motion for the impeachment of Aminu Maigari as president?

    Key among the issues is financial misappropriation and boycotting of administrative protocol in taking decisions which runs contrary to the NFF statues. The need for us to enforce respect for protocols also played a part.

    How many charges exactly because the ones you mention are too few to warrant impeachment?

    I only told you the the key factors but overall there were 15-count charges against him which he couldn’t defend, and at that point I moved a motion for his impeachment.

    How many members voted for his impeachment?

    Eight out of 13 members and the rule on impeachment is clear: 50 percent plus one, we got that and he was asked to leave us while the meeting continued.

     One member said he didn’t vote for Maigari’s impeachment that his signature was forged is that true?

    Not at all, everybody whose signature you see on that paper voted for Maigari’s removal. Ahmed Kawu can’t claim he didn’t sign as he did so in front of Effiong Johnson, it is laughable for him to deny signing.

    So after Maigari’s impeachment, how did the meeting go?

    Very well. We did a review of the 2014 World Cup performance, we set up machinery to ensure our youth teams both male and female do well in their various assignments, starting from this week and of course we spoke on Keshi’s future.

    What was the conclusion on Keshi’s future?

    We have resolve to give him a new deal, so he can continue the good work he has started. Nigerians want him to continue and we are willing to grant them their wishes, we are keen on retaining Keshi and his crew.

    What about his financial demands?

    To that effect we have set up a three- man committee who will liase with him, bring back recommendations to us and we are hopeful we will find a common ground with him.

    Any plan B in case he refuses the offer?

    Like I told you, Plan A is Keshi, Plan B is is Keshi, even C, D and E and we are confident he will agree to continue as a Nigerian coach who has served this country as a player and now as a coach,I don’t think he will say no.

    Thank you very much

    You welcome, credit to you guys at SL10 Nigeria you are doing a good job, keep it up.

  • NFF chief Maigari impeached

    NFF chief Maigari impeached

    The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari, was on Thursday impeached by the Federation’s executive committee members.

    The members took the decision during Thursday’s executive committee meeting in Abuja, kickOffNigeria.com reports.

    Maigari was accused of “uncalled-for secrecy” surrounding all financial dealings of the Federation and failure to call meeting of the executive committee for the past eight months, during which so many weighty decisions on Nigeria football had been taken by a small cabal within the board.

    Consequently, in a motion for impeachment moved by Shehu Adamu and seconded by Deji Tinubu, the committee passed a vote of no confidence on the NFF president.

    A communiqué at the end of the meeting stated that “the committee approved the immediate dismissal of Alhaji Aminu Maigari, from the NFF Executive Committee on grounds of financial misappropriation, misapplication and maladministration.”

    The body’s First Vice President, Mike Umeh, was appointed Acting President, to preside over the affairs of the Federation till the August 26 elections.

     

  • Maigari survives impeachment

    Maigari survives impeachment

    The Executive Board of the Nigeria Football Federation bounced back to action yesterday as the Board held their first official meeting after the FIFA suspension of Nigeria which was caused by a Jos High Court that initially sacked the NFF Board.

    The much anticipated impeachment of the NFF President did not happen as instead all aggrieved parties sheathed their swords and reconciled in the interest of Nigerian Football according to NFF spokesman, High Chief Emeka Inyama.

    Inyama, A Board member and Chairman of the Nigeria National League revealed what transpired during the meeting.

    “I am happy to announce to you the full resumption of the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation. The Management and indeed the Congress is back to the business of the Nigerian football.

    The 12 members of the Executive Board of the Nigeria Football Federation have been deliberating because one of us travelled abroad and we have resolved to move Nigerian football forward. All issues that are likely to cause any conflicts is discussed and we have agreed that we have to make sacrifices to move the game forward in the country.

    “We are indeed appreciative to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his quick intervention and also the Minister of Sports for his fatherly role in ensuring the vacation of the (Court) order that have returned the Executive Committee and all other bodies concerned in the court order. The Board will be paying a visit to the Honourable Minister.

    “There will be an official Board meeting come Thursday next week which is 24th July, 2014. Today’s meeting is just an interactive meeting where he had frank talk, heart to heart discussions.

    “We read so much in the social media that there is division in the NFF and that people are going to fight and that one body would be impeached and another body will be suspended. But there is not such thing. We are one full body for the good of Nigerian football and for the good of the youths of this country all sacrifices must be made.

    “We also want to appeal to all aggrieved parties to sheath swords and make positive contributions to Nigerian football. The election will soon be here and it will be thrown open. Nobody will be shut out of the election. It is opened to all qualified Nigerians to take part in.

    Inyama also asked for probe of the finances of the NFF. “Finally, the Board as a responsible organization has also heard about money issue and we have resolved to encourage the Federal Government to set up a probe into the finances of the Nigeria Football Federation so that the issue will be put to rest once and for all. The body is ready to account for all monies given to it. We also feel it is only fair to hear the other side of the party be fore finally concluding. So we want this probe so that the credibility of Nigeria will be restored”, he clarified.

  • Aminu Maigari reinstated

    Aminu Maigari reinstated

    Troubled Nigeria Football Federation   (NFF) president, Aminu Maigari, has been reinstated to office after a court order restraining him and other executive committee members of the federation was vacated on Wednesday.

    Nembe City chairman, Mrs Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote, had instituted a suit at the Plateau State High Court in Jos, that restrained the NFF and its congress from managing football affairs in Nigeria.

    The NFF was subsequently suspended by FIFA for government interference following the appointment of Lawrence Katken to run the football house by Nigeria sports minister, Dr Tamuno Danagogo.

    But on Wednesday, Justice L.P. Lot of the High Court in Jos agreed to vacate the case against Maigari and his NFF board as Nigeria move closer to beating further sanctions from FIFA.

    Reinstated NFF general secretary, Musa Amadu, has already communicated with FIFA about the latest development.

    Maigari and the NFF executive committee members have now returned to office as instructed by FIFA before it can lift the suspension.

    It is now expected that the world football governing body, FIFA, will announce the lifting of the suspension of Nigeria since the court case has been vacated and the NFF executive committee reinstated.

  • NFF: Nigeria safe from FIFA hammer – Minister

    NFF: Nigeria safe from FIFA hammer – Minister

    The Minister of Sports, Tamuno Danagogo, on Wednesday assured that Nigeria is not at risk of the world football ruling body, FIFA’s hammer over the crisis that engulfed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Apart from a court order, some members of the NFF board removed its Chairman, Aminu Maigari from office. FIFA had threatened to sanction Nigeria if the government was behind the crisis in NFF.

    Speaking with State House correspondents, the minister said the government did not unduly interfere in the issue as a legitimate NFF Congress was responsible for Maigari’s ouster.

    According to him, the NFF crisis was fuelled by moves to stop Maigari from manipulating and succeeding himself in the forthcoming NFF executive committee elections billed to hold in the next few weeks.

    He said: “Nigeria is safe, I can tell you that. What FIFA wants is for the right things to be done and there should be a high level of independence in what is happening. So far, if you look at what has happened, I think government has been very fair, government has done everything possible not to unduly interfere.

    “As a government, we have constitutional duty to maintain law and order. When factions in football family begin to dispute, we have a duty to see that we don’t allow them kill themselves, we don’t allow them destroy the buildings where they are operating. Beyond that, we have not done anything. What we have done, is to see that law and order is maintained.

    “Firstly, you must understand that the first thing that happened as soon as we returned from Brazil, was the old NFF, that is the Maigari-led NFF on the 3rd of July, wrote to me, informing me that there is a court order saying that they are not the legitimate executive council of the NFF and that a civil servant has been appointed or directed to take over and then urged me to intervene to maintain law and order. And what we did was to ensure that there is a law and order.

    “And of course, the group of FA chairmen and stakeholders, who also didn’t want the Maigari government to continue, called their congress and the congress passed a vote of no confidence on that exco. At the beginning, FIFA thought maybe it was a government action, a court action, but we have gone far beyond that. We are talking about a legitimate Congress of NFF, of the football family in the whole country meeting and passing a vote of no confidence. That is not government action. It is strictly a decision of a majority of football stakeholders in the country.

    He went on: “Ordinarily, the tenure of the Maigari led exco has almost come to an end, may be by July or August. And it is a routine, even in our national politics, that once we get to election season, there is always a dispute between parties who are interested.”

     

  • NFF President, Board sacked

    NFF President, Board sacked

    • As Minister appoints Katiken as Ag SG

    The Executive Committee of the The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) headed by its President Aminu Maigari received a shocker ahead of its August Board election as Justice P.L Lot of a High Court sitting in Plateau State granted an Order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining Aminu Maigari and his Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress, from running the affairs of Nigerian football forthwith, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice before the court.

    Following this declaration, the Sports the Minister, Tammy Danagogo, has also directed through a letter personally signed by him and addressed to the most senior officer in the Federation according to civil service dictates, Mr Lawrence Katiken to take over the running of the NFF administration until the deterimination of the suit filed by the Owner of Nembe Football Club, Mrs Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote.

    A copy of the letter instructing Katiken to serve as the Acting Secretary General signed by the Sports Minister reads as fiollows: “Further to Suit No. PLD/J 342/2014 and an order of mandatory injunction, issuing from Hon. Justice PL Lot,….you  (Lawrence Katiken) are hereby directed to act as Secretary General of the NFF, and to take over the full management of the NFF.

    “You are to hold this position pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in the referenced suit”.

    The Owner of Nember FC, Mrs Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote (Plaintiff) had through her Counsel, S D Ekara, holding brief of T D Quidon Esq, filed a Suit No PLD/J 342/2014, asked the  Court to grant an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant, (Alhaji Aminu Miagari) and all the Committee and congress of the 1st Defendant (the Nigeria Football Federation) from further controlling, commanding or managing the Affairs of the 1st Defendant and all Football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed in this case.

    In his declaration, Justice P.L Lot, stated “That Interim Injunction is granted restraining the 2nd Defendant, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, and all other purported members of the Executive Committee and Congress of the 1st Defendant (NFF) from further Controlling, Commanding or Managing the Affairs of the 1st defendant and all Football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing, and determination of the Motion on Notice.

    “An Order of mandatory injunction is granted compelling the 4th Defendant (Minister of Sports) to appoint a senior members of the civil service in the 1st Defendant (NFF) to command , control and manage the Affairs of the said 1st Defendant and the  Football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice i this matter”.

    Justice Lot has therefore fixed July 11, 2014 for hearing on the Motion on Notice.

  • Maigari backs Eagles to defeat Bosnia

    Maigari backs Eagles to defeat Bosnia

    Nigeria Football Federation President, Aminu Maigari, has backed the Super Eagles to bounce back from the stalemate with Iran by beating Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.

    Maigari made this disclosure when he paid a morale boosting visit to the team’s camp on Wednesday afternoon to assure the players of the Federation’s backing.

    He also told the players he is confident they will advance to the next round of the competition in spite of their slow start.

    Maigari reminded the team of how it struggled at the beginning of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, but later went on to win the competition.

    “We have heard the barrage of criticisms against you by the same people who say you are the best in the world only a few days ago,” kickOffNigeria.com quoted Maigari as saying to the players.

    “But we know that it was the same thing that happened at the Nations Cup and helped to rejuvenate the team.

    “I am certain that those who have criticized you today, will be the same people that will join to celebrate you in the coming weeks and it will be to the glory of God and the greatness of Nigeria,” he declared.

    In response, Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, said he was aware of the criticisms especially in the social media but declared that the team remains undaunted and will once again prove critics wrong in Saturday’s match.

    “We know the football family is behind us, we know the NFF is behind us and we will not let the nation down when the time comes for us to be counted among great football nations,” he said.

    The NFF President thereafter presented the papers of the landed properties given to the team by President Goodluck Jonathan after winning the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa.

    Maigari was accompanied on the visit by the Chairman of NFF Technical Committee, Barr. Chris Green, Chairman, Media and Publicity of the NFF, High Chief Emeka Inyama, Executive Committee member and Enyimba FC boss, Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu and the Assistant Director Media, NFF, Demola Olajire.

    Also with the NFF President were – former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu and the Personal Assistant to the NFF President, Jubril Nasir.

     

  • Maigari urges Eagles support

    Maigari urges Eagles support

    In spite of Nigeria’s goalless draw against Iran on Monday, NFF President Aminu Maigari is still optimistic of Nigeria’s chances at the on going FIFA 2014 World Cup.

    Despite dominating proceedings, Nigeria failed to find an answer to Iran’s resolute defending in Monday’s game at the Estadio Joaquim Americo Guimaraes in Curitiba.

    But Maigari insists he is confident that Nigeria will make it to the next round of the competition.

    “I remain optimistic and confident that the Eagles will still qualify,” Maigari said on board the TAM Air flight that brought the NFF delegation back to Sao Paulo after the match. “Certainly, the Government and people of Nigeria were expecting victory in this game, but that is football for you.

    “I have spoken with the head coach and he knows as well that victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina is non-negotiable. The team will do what is necessary to earn the three points and then face Argentina with courage.”

    Maigari called on fans to continue to support the team, adding that the players will consider the result as a wake-up call to improve on their performance.

    “I want our people to remain strong behind the team and continue to support the players and technical crew with their prayers. The tournament is just starting, and the team has also seen this match as a wake-up call,” he said.

    Argentina now top Group F with three points while Nigeria lie second with Iran on one point each, and the Bosnians bottom without a point.