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Tag: Nneka Ikem-Anibeze

We stand by rule of law – Dalung

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Solomon Dalung, on Tuesday congratulated the Federal Government for averting a FIFA ban on Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, said the minister lauded the efforts of the Vice-President which aborted the ban.

“I welcome the intervention of the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, which saved Nigeria from a suspension threat by FIFA in the lingering crisis of the FootbaIl Federation.

”I believe in the resolution of the crisis which has a history dating back to almost 20 years since the removal of Mr Anthony Kojo Williams from office.

“This crisis cannot be solved with a temporary measure or scratched on the surface.

”The intervention of the vice-president should not be viewed as different from an attempt to abate an escalating situation, “ Dalung said.

He, however, said that the matter had a subsisting judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“As a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, who took oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will prefer to stand with the rule of law instead of the opinion of men.

”I want to appeal to Nigerians to remain calm and give support to the NFF Elders Stakeholders Reconciliation Committee which is made up of reputable past presidents and general secretaries of the NFF with vast knowledge, experience and competence to resolve this crisis once and for all.

Read Also: NFF: I don’t want to go prison for contempt of court – Dalung

”We are a constitutional democracy and the doctrine of separation of powers is the foundation of democratic experience, therefore, the rule of law is the only mechanism that guarantees liberty and freedom of citizens.

”This administration was elected on the change mantra meaning that impunity has no accommodation anywhere, so Nigerians must learn to believe and practise the doctrine of the rule of law.

”I believe we shall overcome this if we remain within the confines and dictates of the laws of our country.

“As we celebrate Sallah, let’s remain law abiding citizens,” Dalung said.

FIFA on Monday stepped down its plan to ban Nigeria’s football governing body over its leadership crisis.

In stepping down threat, FIFA said it received assurances that the legitimate leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under the presidency of Amaju Pinnick and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi had been restored to office.

“In view of these circumstances, FIFA deems that the conditions set by the decision of the Bureau of the FIFA Council have now been met and consequently the suspension of the NFF will not take effect.

“FIFA will continue to closely monitor the situation in order to ensure that FIFA’s rules and regulations are fully adhered to,” the world football body said.

August 21, 2018
Dalung urges Nigerians to support Eagles, warns NFF against distraction

Minister of Youth and Sport, Solomon Dalung has appealed to Nigerians to show solidarity and support to ensure the success of Nigeria team at the FIFA World Cup in Russia

Dalung in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by his Special Assistant, Media, Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, thanked the team for their commitment, patriotism and unity of purpose as the World Cup approaches.

He urged the team and other stakeholders to continue to produce the desired results in their friendly games and aspire to win the cup.

According to him, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should not be distracted with the award of slots to prospective supporters to Russia.

Read Also: Buhari hosts Super Eagles May 29

“I sincerely commend the Federal Government and Nigerians for their unflinching support and solidarity to the team and officials.

“As we look forward to playing our remaining friendly matches with DR Congo, England and the Czech Republic, government assures that every step will be taken to ensure a smooth operation of the matches.

“I also appeal to Nigerians to show their solidarity and support to see the team to victory,’’ he said.

The minister commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical and coaching crew and urged them to remain focused in their preparations for the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Dalung, however, emphasized that priority would be given to the team including officials before considering issues of sponsoring individuals.

“We appreciate the desire of Nigerians to travel to Russia and support the team but it is worthy of note that every plan on ground will focus on the welfare of the team and officials.

“The team having qualified for the World Cup is a Nigerian team, therefore, preparation of delegations and mobilization of support is the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government of Nigeria,’’ he said.

Dalung, however, said that the NFF was preoccupied with preparation of the team and its officials for the competition and should not be distracted with the award of slots to prospective supporters to Russia.

“I urge the Federation to concentrate on its mandate and avoid the distraction of allocation of slots to people interested in traveling to Russia for the World Cup.

“However, any Nigerian with the capacity to travel to Russia to support the Super Eagles is not limited by this advice.

“I wish the Super Eagles of Nigeria the best and look forward to an amazing performance in Russia 2018,” Dalung said.

NAN

May 17, 2018
Dalung directs ex-sports officials to hand over

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has directed ex-sports federation officials who were still in possession of their body’s property or documents to hand them over to the newly elected and sworn-in officials.

The Minister who gave the advice on Friday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, said that failure to comply might attract prosecution.

The statement said the minister gave the directive while addressing Presidents of the National Sports Federations at a meeting with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) on Thursday in Abuja.

“All former Presidents of National Sports Federations have been directed to officially hand over all documents and property in their possession belonging to the federations to the newly elected and sworn-in presidents or face prosecution by relevant government agencies.

“For documentation purposes, Dalung directed the new presidents to write officially to their predecessors asking for a formal handover of administration.

“The newly elected presidents must write officially to former presidents and request for a formal hand over.

“Failure to hand over within the provided period will activate the law. If you refuse to handover government property in your custody, you have invited the law to take over,’’ it said.

The statement said that no individual or group of people was greater than the constitution or the machinery of government as represented by the Federal Government in the situation.

It decried the operation of secret accounts by some former presidents of these federations which negated the existing government policy of Treasury Single Account (TSA).

“Most of the former presidents are still running the federation’s accounts and still collecting grants. All accounts of federations must be disclosed.

“There are accounts of federations that are unknown even to the new presidents but are known to individuals. This is not an allegation. This exists. All those accounts must be made public.

“The ministry will not hesitate to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) and other relevant agencies to deal with federations operating multiple accounts.

“Nobody has the right to receive any grant from anywhere and keep the same in any account. That is a violation of the TSA rule.

“Once it is established, Mr Magu will be invited to help evaluate the magnitude. If established, you’ll be given a presidential escort to Kuje Prison,’’ the statement said.

It said the minister also called on the NOC led by Habu Gumel to get involved in the official hand over process of former presidents to the present ones to ensure continuity and a smooth transition.

September 8, 2017
National Sports Festival: Cross River solicits FG’s support

Cross River Government on Sunday appealed to the Federal Government to assist it funds to enable it to host the National Sports Festival.

A statement by Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Youths and Sports, said the Deputy Governor of the state, Prof Ivara Esu, made the plea when he visited the Minister, Solomon Dalung, in Abuja.

It quoted Esu as acknowledging that the hosting right for the festival was given to the state about five years ago but that for some exigencies, the games had not held.

He said that the previous administration in the state constituted up a team of consultants to market the festival to raise funds.

He said that much money had been sunk into the renovation and building of new infrastructure as part of preparations for the festival, adding that some of the projects had been completed.

“We have been preparing for this National Sports Festival since 2012.

“The government before us had set up a team of consultants to raise funds for the games. I am sure that when they hear about the festival coming alive, they will come back for re-engagement.

“So much money has already been sunk into building of infrastructure and facilities for the games. Some of the facilities are 100 per cent completed. Others are between 65 to 85 per cent ready.

“We have considered various ways in which we can cut cost. I also know that the kind of money we are looking for is not in the budget of 2017.

“We are not passing the entire budget for the festival to the Federal Government. We need help of 60 per cent of the cost of the facilities, which we have presented to the ministry.

“I know that President Muhammadu Buhari and the minister have contacts that we can leverage on to raise funds,” he said.

Esu stated that the state government had made efforts to raise funds “but we have assessed that at no time will we be able to raise more than 40 per cent of the funds needed.

“Certainly, we can’t get money even from our federal allocation.

“We are number 35 out of the 36 states; so, if we can’t get the remaining funds, we will not be able to host this games”.

In his response, Dalung promised to discuss the issue with the president and thanked the deputy governor for the visit, saying it demonstrated the state government’s commitment to “rescue” the festival, which had been in limbo.

“The National Sports Festival has been on the front burner and the concern of many Nigerians. At every given opportunity, there is a question about the fate of the festival.

“That confirms how passionate the people are about the games. It is sad that for a long time we have not been able to host the games.

“I quite agree with the challenges, especially economic challenges confronting the nation but let us not lose touch of the fact that sports is our national heritage and passion and a service-oriented item.

“Therefore, we must do our best to mobilize funds and give our people those things they yearn for,” he said.

Dalung recalled that the National Youth Games was held in Ilorin after a long time.

“We did that not because we had sufficient budgetary allocation. We had only N9 million allocated for the games, but we had to think outside the box and engaged the private sector and sponsors to raise enough funds for the games.

“So, I think Cross River state needs to put up a structure of consultants to market the games and I assure you that it will pay off.

“It is not a matter of setting up committees and getting the right people who will mobilize the right investment.

“If you insist on using a committee made up of just people from the state’s sporting architecture, you will achieve nothing.

“The state government may not have money but there are many Nigerians who are ready to give the state funds needed to host the festival if they are sure that the investment will be deployed judiciously.

“I know of states who are hosting international competitions. So I know people will also want to invest in national competitions which have direct benefits on Nigerian youths,” he said.

The Minister also promised to assist the state to seek the intervention needed to host the games.

July 24, 2017
National Sports Federations: Dalung now to inaugurate new boards on July 10

The newly-elected boards of National Sports Federations will now be inaugurated on July 10 in Abuja, an official of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports said on Wednesday.

Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, the Special Assistant on Media to Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youths and Sports, said in a statement that the inauguration was scheduled for the Abuja National Stadium.

She said the inauguration, which was earlier slated for July 13, was moved forward by three days to enable the federations hit the ground running.

Ikem-Anibeze explained that the inauguration was also brought forward because some of the federations were preparing for major competitions outside the country, such as the Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG).

She said the inauguration was not going to be affected by the hearing of Petitions and Appeals arising from the elections, as this would continue on Thursday.

“A formal statement on findings, decisions and bye elections, if any, will be made on Friday.’’

June 29, 2017
Sports Ministry declares NBBF’s election in Kano illegal

The Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports on Monday in Abuja said the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) elections held in Kano same day was illegal.

Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Solomon Dalung, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja the elections were held by a faction of the Federation’s stakeholders.

Ikem-Anibeze said the NBBF elections held in Kano were conducted by a faction led by the immediate-past president of the Federation, Tijani Umar, and was as such illegal.

She said this was because the elections in Kano had no backing of the Ministry.

“The NBBF will hold elections on Tuesday, alongside 31 other sports federations in Abuja,” the minister’s aide said.

NAN reports that the elections saw Umar, the North-East representative, emerging as President, while Olumide Oyedeji, FIBA World Representative, emerged as Vice-President.

The June 12 elections in Kano came ahead of the one being organised by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports in Abuja.

The ministry had fixed Tuesday for elections into all boards of the national sports federations in the country, with all the federations expected to comply.

But a disagreement had emerged over the issue of whether or not the ministry has the right to draw up guidelines for the federations.

NAN reports that the federations are, according to international sports federations’ standards, to be run by constitution/statutes/guidelines duly agreed to by all stakeholders in the federation.

NBBF had earlier insisted it would conduct its elections based on the guideline prescribed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the basketball world governing body.

June 13, 2017