The Nation Newspaper

Tag: nff

  • Baribote writes NFF, faults 15-year ban

    Embattled former chairman of( Nigerian Premier League NPL), Victor Rumson Baribote, has formally written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), over the 15-year ban slammed on him by the body, querying the modality used in pronouncing the ban.

    Although, Baribote insisted that he has not received any official correspondent from the NFF over his purported ban from all football related activities, he however said that he had to write an official letter to the federation after getting the report used in pronouncing the ban.

    In a letter dated October 25 bearing the NFF’s official reception stamp titled ‘Re: Report of the investigation committee of the Nigeria Football Federation against Rumson Victor Baribote in his petition to FIFA’ and made available to media at the weekend, erstwhile chairman of NPL questioned the report.

    He challenged the federation’s claim of impersonation and demanded for a proof. Part of the letter read: “In my several letters to FIFA, I stated that I am the duly elected chairman of NPL and was unduly removed from office, and ever since I have not acted in that capacity. Having stated this, if there is any prove to the contrary, I would like such document tendered.

    “In response to the second finding of the committee regarding the ownership of Nembe City FC, even the document tendered by the League Management Company (LMC) to the investigative committee which they relied upon, clearly stated that Rumson Victor Baribote is the President of Nembe City FC. The name Mrs. Baribote appeared neither on the management’s team nor in the incorporation of the club. If there is any document to the contrary, let them tender it for public view,” he noted.

    Deflating the claims on the report, Baribote further wrote: “The incorporation of the League Management Company Limited (LMC) which Aminu Maigari signed as one of the directors representing Nigeria Football Association (NFA). A body he claimed not to be in existence in affidavits deposed to by his lawyers and was tendered in court that NFA is different from NFF. Hence when you represent a body that is not in existence, you are only acting for yourself.

    “The LMC chairman had claimed that LMC derived its powers from the NFA and several documents, including the incorporation of the LMC Limited, clearly stated that NFA empowers them. So, one can’t explain the technicalities or the rationale behind LMC giving the sum of N25 million to NFF, a body Maigari claims is not the same as NFA and does not even exit.

    “In my petition, I did not state anything regarding the sum of N25 million, I rather delved into the incorporation of LMC since Maigari claims NFA is not in existence. It then means that he acted in his personal capacity and for his personal benefit by representing NFA, a body not in existence and not the same with the NFF of which he was elected as president,” he stated.

     

  • NFF to golden Eaglets: Win World Cup for Jonathan

    NFF to golden Eaglets: Win World Cup for Jonathan

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Aminu Maigari has charged the Golden Eaglets to win the ongoing FIFA U- 17 World Cup for President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The NFF boss, who disclosed this to SportingLife in Dubai, also expressed optimism that the team will deliver as expected by President Jonathan and all football-loving Nigerians that have been supporting the team to do well in the competition in the United Arab Emirates.

    “We have prepared this team well, not only to go far in this competition but to win it, and our aspiration is for the team to win this tournament for our dear President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who has done so much for all our national teams.

    “I am using this rare privilege to thank President Jonathan for his support for all our national teams and for the Golden Eaglets in this U- 17 World Cup currently going on in the United Arab Emirates”, Maigari stated.

    The NFF boss also commended the players for displaying champions stuff since the commencement of this competition and urged them not to rest on their oars until the trophy is won and brought to Nigeria. He also showered encomiums on the Manu Garba-led technical crew of the team for the disciplined they have instilled in the players and the way they have propelled the team to dazzle all in the competition.

    Maigari concluded by soliciting for support and prayers from all Nigerians for the team to excel in the competition. “We need the prayers and support of all Nigerians home and abroad for this team to win this competition. I am also using this medium to thank Nigerians based in Dubai for their support so far to this team”.

  • NFF tasks Eaglets to remain focused

    NFF tasks Eaglets to remain focused

    The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF), has tasked the Golden Eaglets to be more focused at the ongoing FIFA U17 World Cup holding in the UAE if they are to achieve their aspirations of winning the competition for the fourth time.

    The Eaglets needed an impressive comeback to secure a 3-3 draw against a tactically sound Swedish U17 team, but Maigari in a chat with journalists after the Group F encounter in Al Ain hailed the fighting spirit of the Nigeria’s reps and has charged them to go into their next game against Iraq without thinking about the already played games.

    He said the team’s quest to win the competition was on course but warned the players and the technical officials to correct the defects in the team before the game against Iraq on Friday.

    “I am not sad that we got a draw. We must improve on the way we played on tuesday if we are to get our target of winning the competition. It is achievable with hard work and high level of patriotism.

    “The Eaglets must come out forcefully against Iraq and show the World that they are a good team,” Maigari explained.

  • NFF may suspend Women Elite League

    The much awaited Women Elite League which was billed to kick off next season may be put on hold if the football governing body of Nigeria,Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is unable to get a sponsor for the maiden edition.

    The Congress of the National Women Football League (NWFL) had agreed in February 2013, prior to the kick off the 2012/2013 Women Pro League (WPL) season that the top six teams from the two League groups will qualify for the Elite League. This may not be feasible as the (NWFL) is still shopping for sponsors.

    Speaking on the condition of anonymity an NFF official told futaa.com that it would not be possible to start the Premier League if the Federation was unable to come up with a sponsor before the start of the new season.

    “There would be no point starting something that we may not be able to sustain. If it means suspending it for a couple more years,then it is better than starting and stopping”the source said.

    “It would be a burden on the participating clubs if we are not able to get the sponsors that would support us”the source continued.

    Chairman of the NWFL Dilichukwu Onyedinma has continuously appealed to corporate bodies and organisations to partner with the board to sponsor the league.

  • NFF C’ttee lifts ban on Ado-Ekiti Stadium

    NFF C’ttee lifts ban on Ado-Ekiti Stadium

    The Emergency Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Sunday lifted the ban placed on the Ado-Ekiti Township Stadium after its meeting in Abuja.

    A statement signed by the Media Officer of the NFF, Ademola Olajire, said the decision to lift the ban followed a special appeal by the Ekiti State Football Association and other stakeholders in the state.

    The Disciplinary Committee of the NFF had placed a ban on the stadium following disturbances during a Nigeria National League (NNL) match between Fountain FC of Ekiti and Prime of Osogbo.

    The statement said the decision was taken in the interest of football and the teeming youths of Ekiti State who should not be denied access to the playing facility due to no fault of theirs.

    It said the NFF president, Aminu Maigari, Vice-President, Mike Umeh, and five members of the Executive Committee were present at the meeting where the decision was taken.

    The statement said that the decision was in line with Article 41 of the NFF statutes.

    According to the statutes, an emergency committee shall deal with all matters requiring immediate settlement between two meetings of the Executive Committee.

    The committee shall consist of the President of NFF and five members chosen from the Executive Committee for a period of two years.

    The statement also said that the committee had dissolved the Forum of Zonal Coordinators.

    It quoted the Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Emeka Inyama, as saying that the dissolution was with immediate effect, adding that it would be reconstituted soon.

  • Bribery allegation NFF suspends Adepoju

    Bribery allegation NFF suspends Adepoju

    Sets up four-man panel to investigate case

    Embattled chairman of the Organising and Disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) Olaleye Adepoju has been suspended from his position to allow for full investigation of the bribery allegation levelled against him by his committee members.

    This was part of the decision the NFF’s executive committee took at its meeting held at the Saro-Maria Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last Saturday.

    The committee also set up a four-man committee to investigate the allegation against Adepoju who is also a member of the Executive Committee.

    Chris Green was named the chairman and members are Emeka Inyama, Shehu Adamu, Muazu Kawu and Brigadier-General Emma Okaro (rtd), with Alizor Chuks as secretary.

    Adepoju was alleged to have collected N1.5m from a Glo Premier League side,Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan to help influence a decision in their favour in an abandoned game against Sunshine Stars in Akure.

    Adepoju, who doubles as the Oyo FA chairman in his defence claimed he collected the same amount from the club but insisted it was for professional services he rendered to Shooting Stars as the club’s lawyer.

  • N1.5m bribery allegation rocks NFF’s O&D

    N1.5m bribery allegation rocks NFF’s O&D

    •Members call on chairman to resign

    • I collected money for professional services-Adepoju

    The Organizing and Disciplinary Committee (O&D) of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is enmeshed in bribery allegation.

    Chairman of the O&D, Leye Adepoju was alleged to have collected the sum of N1.5 million from the officials of the Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan (3SC), apparently to influence members to rule in favour of the club in its case against Sunshine FC of Akure.

    Unfortunately, the committee ruled against 3SC, awarding three goals, and three points to Sunshine FC. However, bubble burst when an official of 3SC asked a member of the O&D why the decision did not favour his club in spite of the money sent to the committee.

    The bewildered committee member was said to have denied receiving any money. At this point, the 3SC official handed over a copy of the voucher signed by the O&D chairman on behalf of the members.

    On Thursday, a member of the committee, Iyke Igbokwe blew the whistle when he fielded questions from sports correspondents at the Glass House. He presented a voucher allegedly signed by the chairman of O&D, Mr. Adepoju on behalf of the committee members.

    But, Igbokwe denied receiving any money from the chairman to influence decision in favour of any club, calling on Mr. Adepoju to resign so as to pave way for proper investigation.

    When contacted by a Radio station in Abuja, Nigeria Info, Mr. Adepoju denied collecting any money on behalf of O&D members.

    However, he admitted collecting the same amount in question (N1.5m) from 3SC FC but for a different purpose. According to him, the money was for professional services he rendered to the club.

    When asked why his signature was on the voucher, he argued that it could have been lifted from any of the documents he had forwarded to the club in the past.

    He said: “I never received N1.5 million from 3SC for O&D. I collected N1.5 million in respect of my professional service.”

  • OPERATION CONQUER ETHIOPIA: Eagles get October 8 deadline

    OPERATION CONQUER ETHIOPIA: Eagles get October 8 deadline

    Nigeria expect all 23 invited players for a 2014 World Cup playoff in Ethiopia to report to training camp in Abuja latest October 8.

    “We expect all the players to be here latest by noon on Tuesday, October 8, to begin the preparations for the match,” disclosed Emmanuel Ikpeme, director of the technical department of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    “It’s very important that they arrive early because the coach needs all the time available to do the work ahead of the game. Give or take he would have four days to train with the players before we leave by noon on October 12.”

    Coach Stephen Keshi has called up 18 players based in Europe and five from the domestic league for the qualifier in Ethiopia on October 13.

    The squad are expected to be flown out of Abuja on a chartered flight to Addis Ababa on the eve of the match.

  • MAIGARI TO EAGLES: Forget $10,000 bonus

    MAIGARI TO EAGLES: Forget $10,000 bonus

     •Take $5,000 or stay off

    •Play for honour not money- NFF

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that there will be no special bonuses for players of the Super Eagles ahead of their two-legged playoff tie against Ethiopia.

    NFF President, Aminu Maigari told supersport.com on Tuesday that the players will receive the “usual” $5,000 winning bonus for the two games against Ethiopia.

    “The players will receive the usual $5,000 dollars if they beat Ethiopia this month. There has been no change in the bonus structure for now,” he said.

    The Super Eagles’ 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup campaign was almost scuttled as a result of a row between the players and the NFF over bonuses, but Maigari says there will be no issues in that regard ahead of the two games against the East Africans.

    “There are no issues at all. We (NFF) have been in contact with the players and coaches and no one has any issues with what we pay as bonuses. The players were paid $5,000 after our last (World Cup) qualifying game against Malawi in Calabar and no one complained’’.

    “It’s about honour, patriotism and the collective zeal to see that Nigeria’s flag is hoisted at the gathering of elite football nations in Brazil next year. Money is the last thing on anyone’s mind right now because these individuals are all top professionals who know what it means to represent their country,” he added.

    The NFF chief further revealed that the Nigerian contingent of players and coaches will depart for Addis Ababa via a chartered aircraft on the eve of the first leg game.

    The Super Eagles will meet the Walia Antelopes in the first leg of the playoffs in Ababa on October 13 with the second leg fixed for November 16 at the UJ Esuene stadium, Calabar.

  • Amadu: NFF won’t underrate Ethiopians

    Amadu: NFF won’t underrate Ethiopians

    General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Amadu stated emphatically on Wednesday that the Federation is not in agreement with those thinking Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes belong to the featherweight category and would be easily over-run by the Super Eagles in next weekend’s World Cup qualifying cracker in Addis Ababa.

    “Yes, we believe that the Super Eagles, champions of Africa, will come out of Addis Ababa with a good result, but we are not taking the match lightly. We do not subscribe to the suggestion that all we need do is turn up in Ethiopia and we would decimate the opposition without lifting a finger.

    “There is this cliche that there are no longer minnows in international football. That is why the NFF is making all the arrangements to prepare the Super Eagles adequately for the match, and ensure the team travels in comfort to and from Ethiopia.

    “We have already written to the NSC for use of the refurbished main-bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja for the team to train between Monday and Friday, before the departure to Ethiopia on Friday night.”

    Amadu spoke in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, led by the President-General, Rafiu Olalere Oladipo.

    “That we are the African champions is a fact, and that Ethiopia is lowest-ranked African side remaining in the race is also a fact. But we are not going to look at those statistics and discountenance the Antelopes. The Addis Ababa Stadium is one of the most difficult venues for visiting teams in African football.

    “We know that the coaches are working to pick our best and strongest players to play that match. It is very important for us to get the 2014 FIFA World Cup ticket because next year marks 100 years of the amalgamation of our country and every Nigerian is looking forward to seeing the Super Eagles at the World Cup in Brazil.”

    Speaking earlier, Oladipo stressed the fact that the upcoming fixture with the Ethiopians is a Nigeria Project, insisting: “Nigeria’s flag must fly at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Not only are we the champions of Africa, we are also the biggest black nation on earth. We have the players to do the job but we must all be united, from the players to the NFF to the entire football family, we must be united in pursuit of this noble cause.

    “We are aware of the constraints of the NFF, and that is why the Supporters Club has decided to appeal to Mr. President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR to see the match in Ethiopia as a special project and take special interest in seeing that as many Nigerian fans as possible travel for the match.”

    Oladipo’s entourage included the Deputy President-General, Waheed Adenrele Yusuf, Secretary General, Reverend Samuel Ikpea, Acting National Chairman, Vincent Okumagba and Treasurer, Sunday Eboh.

    Also at the occasion were NFF Director of Competitions, Mohammed Sanusi, Assistant Director (Media), Ademola Olajire and special assistant to General Secretary, Christian Emeruwa.