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Tag: Pinnick

  • NFF back Pinnick

    NFF back Pinnick

    The members of the board of the Nigeria Football Federation have given their total backing to the President of the federation Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

    Due to his well laid out programmes in moving Nigerian Football to the next level,the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation have passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Pinnick.

    The Committee met in Uyo on Wednesday afternoon,with member Barrister Chris Green moving the motion.

    He said that the wealth of great ideas, capacity and drive of the NFF Supremo would surely lead Nigeria football to new heights.

    “You have brought so much on board since you came in, along the lines of capacity building, practical and positive approach to issues and a commitment to doing things differently. The entire Board is proud of your leadership style.

    “As we go forward,we believe that the ideas and your passionate commitment and drive will take Nigeria football to heights never previously attained.”

    His motion was seconded by Nigeria Women Football League Supremo, Chief Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma and received thunderous applause from all the members.

  • Green heaps encomiums on Pinnick

    Green heaps encomiums on Pinnick

    Christopher Green, a member of the NFF Executive Committee, has praised NFF President Amaju Pinnick on his  serious commitment to making a positive difference in Nigeria football administration.

    Speaking at a dinner hosted for the NFF Technical Study Group at The Dorchester, London on Monday by programme sponsors Taleveras Foundation, Green, who is the leader of the group for a capacity enhancing exercise in the United Kingdom, said Pinnick has made the sort of remarkable difference in vision implementation and planning in five months in charge than most NFF bosses before him made in four years.

    “I must express the profound appreciation of this group to our amiable and visionary president, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, whose enterprise and dedication has made this programme possible.

    “Surely, he has made more difference and taken better strides than most NFF presidents in recent memory. He is a man of his words, and he has continued to pursue his vision with praiseworthy doggedness. Without him, the accomplishments of this new board in the past five months would not have been possible.”

    While the group praised  Green, Pinnick threw the glory back to the board, and insisted that there is still so much to do.

    “I want to praise the board for the support that it has been giving me, and I like to particularly commend the sponsors Taleveras Foundation, as well as Mr. Daniel Stones and Mr. Tunde Adelakun for the way they have brilliantly coordinated this programme.

    “I keep saying that what we want to build in our country is a sustainable football culture. In England here, they don’t have the best national team but they have the best football culture. That makes the difference all over.”

    Amodu Shaibu, Jay Jay Okocha, Nasiru Jibril, Ladan Bosso, Dahiru Sadi, Garba Lawal, Ahmed Yaro-Yaro, Ann Chiejine, David Ngodigha, Salisu Yusuf, Yisa Sofoluwe, Idris Musa, Florence Omagbemi, Edema Fuludu, John Obuh, Kelechi Emeteole and Paul Aigbogun are involved in the  nine-day exercise.

  • Keshi can resume as Eagles coach Wednesday – Pinnick

    Keshi can resume as Eagles coach Wednesday – Pinnick

    The Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, has disclosed that Stephen Keshi could resume work as Eagles coach on Wednesday should he agree on a new contract.

    Keshi’s initial three-year deal ended after he guided Nigeria to the Round of 16 at last year’s World Cup in Brazil and he has since been working without a contract, africanFootball.com reports.

    Pinnick said a new contract would be sent to Keshi on Tuesday.

    “We have concluded on the contract of Keshi. It should get to him by Tuesday (today) and if he is fine with it, he would begin work as early as Wednesday,” declared Pinnick.

    “We have taken this long because we do not want litigation. We had to look at everything that would protect him and protect the federation and would also be good for Nigeria.”

    On whether the NFF would fold its hands and watch Keshi head to Burkina Faso, Pinnick said, “He is a man that has a choice.

    “It would be up to him to choose. If what Burkina Faso would offer him is better that what we are offering you don’t expect him to stay, but that would be unfortunate.”

    Meanwhile, the board of the NFF will meet next week Tuesday in Abuja.

  • Pinnick parleys with Nigerian players in Diaspora

    ThePresident of the Nigeria  Football Federation (NFF),  Amaju Melvin Pinnick has held a meeting with parents of Nigerian footballers based in the United Kingdom, assuring them of their sons’ safety and progress should they choose to wear the colours of Nigeria.

    There is a huge number of Nigerian footballers, many born and raised in the United Kingdom, but who have expressed a desire to open their hearts to the possibility of playing for the Super Eagles; and Pinnick was quick to appreciate that.

    “Most of your sons have the option to wait for their chance and play for England, Wales or Scotland”, he said, “and the fact that you are steering them in the direction of playing for their country of origin is laudable and I really appreciate it.”

    Pinnick stated that he would like to see youngsters who, in his words, “have been exposed to the scientific methods of football in terms of coaching style, amenities and equipment as well as discipline in areas of fitness and nutrition” to build a new-look Super Eagles team that would conquer the world.

    He promised that players will be selected on merit, and that the days of favouritism are forgotten in the new administration led by him.

    Pinnick, in the company of his newly appointed Special Envoy on International Affairs, Tunde Adelakun, called the attention of the parents to the choice made by Victor Moses who, despite having featured for England Under-21s, opted to play for Nigeria and was rewarded with being a part of the Super Eagles team that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

    “That will remain in his books for the rest of his life – a winner’s medal at the AFCON, and I am sure he will not regret playing for Nigeria” he said.

    He drew comparison against some of the players eligible to play for Nigeria but who opted for England, were capped only a couple of times and were dropped, and asked the parents to use this as an example to their wards.

    He was quick to extol, though, the goodness in the Nigerian league system, saying his move was not an act of disrespect to the home-grown talent that abound in the country.

    “We all know that the Nigerian leagues produce many players and I know that. However, I also know that we have many talented players in Diaspora and we want to tap into them all, so we can identify and select the very best across the board,” he explained.

    The Delta-born administrator gave assurances that the parley will be a continuous process, and that the new Technical Study Group of the NFF led by former international Jay Jay Okocha will visit the players in the coming weeks and establish close links with them with a view to being selected for the national teams.

  • AFCON 2015: In Eagles’ absence, Pinnick soars

    AFCON 2015: In Eagles’ absence, Pinnick soars

    Though feeling the pang of the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for and participate to defend their continental crown at the 30th Africa Cup of Nations finals on-going in Equatorial Guinea, President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has been soaring high in his role as Match Commissioner at the tournament.

    There are a number of prominent Nigeria football administrators working at the tournament, including Etubom Paul Bassey (General Coordinator), High Chief Emeka Inyama, Chairman of the NFF Marketing, Sponsorship and Television Advisory Committee (who is working as a Media Officer); Ms Aisha Falode (also working as Media Officer) and Samson Adamu (Assistant General Coordinator).

    However, the NFF President has been shining brightly, after he was appointed Match Commissioner for the Group D match between Cameroon and Mali, immediately he finished playing the same role in the earlier match between Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea in Malabo on Tuesday.

    The Confederation of African Football has now confirmed that Pinnick will also be Match Commissioner for the Group D clash between Cote d’Ivoire and Mali, kicking off at the Estadio Malabo by 5pm Nigeria time on Saturday, 24th January.

    He has also been penciled down to take charge of one of the semi-final matches, which will come up at the 35,000 –capacity Bata Stadium.

  • Pinnick off to Malabo, mandates Akinwunmi to act

    Pinnick off to Malabo, mandates Akinwunmi to act

    President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick flew into Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday as the African football fraternity got into the mood for the 30th Africa Cup of Nations kicking off on Saturday.

    The NFF supremo will commission two matches in the group phase at the championship with opportunities for more in the knock–out rounds.

    However, the Confederation of African Football has once more rued the absence of 2013 champions Nigeria, who failed to reach the finals after finishing behind South Africa and Congo in Group A of the qualifying campaign.

    Before jetting out of the country, Pinnick transmitted a letter to Members of the NFF Executive Committee notifying them that the 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi will act in his stead.

    “I will be away to the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea from 16th January – 9th February, 2015 on the invitation of CAF and in official capacity.

    “The First Vice President, Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi should thus oversee the workings of the Office of the President for the period I will be away. All official correspondence should be channeled to him,” the letter read in part.

    Host Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Burkina Faso and Gabon will contest in Group A of the three –week, 16 nation finals, with Zambia, DR Congo, Tunisia, Cape Verde battling it out in Group B.

    Group C has Ghana, Senegal, Algeria and South Africa while Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali and Cameroon contend in Group D.

    The finals, scheduled for 17th January – 8th February, will be played across four cities: Malabo, Ebebiyin, Mongomo and Bata.

  • Pinnick: Keshi must work with our terms

    Pinnick: Keshi must work with our terms

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) Amaju Pinnick has stated that out-of-contract Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi will only continue in his position as coach of the team unless he agree to the terms of the Federation.

    Amaju, who was on Channels’ TV sports programme, Sports Tonight on Tuesday insisted that Keshi must work in tandem with the technical study group to revamp the squad after their inabilty to defend their 2013 AFCON title in South Africa.

    “I don’t think we have any issues keeping Keshi. But he must agree to our terms,” he said.

    “Keshi will be an integral part of the scheme if he agrees on the deal. And he will have to work with the technical study group headed by Jay Jay Okocha to scrutinise the players welfare, players attitude and fitness level,” Pinnick revealed.

    “We are talking football science here. We also have to consider what we can accommodate and we have to consider if he can work with our technical study group, there are so many factors. A contract is not signed overnight because we don’t just want to sign any contract with him,” he reckoned.

    Pinnick, however, went on to debunk reports that he  is  under pressure to retain Keshi, adding that he has been in constant touch with Keshi, but of his own will.

  • Pinnick thanks President Jonathan, SGF, others

    Pinnick thanks President Jonathan, SGF, others

    NFFpresident, Amaju Melvin Pinnick on Wednesday expressed appreciation to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, for the huge support that the new NFF administration has received from the country’s leader since coming into office 72 days ago.

    The NFF boss also praised the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (GCON), Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye and the sports committees of the National Assembly ably led by Senator Adamu Gumba and Godfrey Gaiya for their steadfastness in supporting the new NFF team.

    “We also must give kudos to the NFF Congress – the supreme authority in Nigeria football – as well as the NFF Executive Committee, NFF Management and staff, stakeholders of the game and the nation’s very vibrant media.

    “There is no victor, no vanquished in this matter. Ours is one big, marvelous family and here, football is the winner.“

    Pinnick urged persons who feel aggrieved in any way concerning the recent crises in Nigeria football to bury the hatchet and join hands with the NFF Executive Committee and Management in redefining football culture in Nigeria.

    “There is so much to do, and only few persons cannot do it. The support, prayers and contribution of everyone in the huge football sector is needed for this administration to be able to fulfill its mission and vision.

    “I am pleading that people should forgive the NFF Executive Committee for any action or inaction since coming on board, and let us jointly take Nigeria football to much higher heights.”

    World football –governing body, FIFA, on Tuesday backed the majority decision of the NFF 2014 Electoral Appeals Committee, which upheld in its entirety, the NFF 2014 Elective Congress of 30th September 30 at which Pinnick and others were elected into the NFF Executive Committee for a four–year term.

  • NFF Appeals Committee: Chairman sacked by members

    NFF Appeals Committee: Chairman sacked by members

    The crisis rocking Nigerian football  took another dramatic turn at the weekend as members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 2014 Electoral Appeals Committee passed a vote of no confidence on its chairman, Barrister Okechukwu Ajunwa.

    The drama started on Wednesday when members of the committee upheld the September 30 polls that produced the Amaju Pinnick-led executive board of the NFF, only for Ajunwa to nullify the same elections, just 24 hours later.

    However, at a press conference held at the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) secretariat, National Stadium, Lagos, at the weekend, secretary of the committee, Dotun Coker, said the committee met several times before arriving at the position.

    The conference also had other members of the committee including Sani Mohammed, Victor Nwangwu and Bala Garba in attendance.

    Coker alleged that the chairman had exhibited a biased mind from the beginning of the committee’s sitting and had at various times tried to play divide and rule tactics among the members, making all sorts of untoward offers to individuals.

    He also claimed that Ajunwa also used lawyers from his law firm as secretary of the committee, which was against the terms of reference of the committee.

    “It should be noted that the NFF congress never nominated nor appointed Mr. Ajunwa as chairman of the committee; it was us the members of the committee who, for the sake of convenience in convoking meetings, appointed him as the chairman of the committee. We have every right to remove him as chairman though he is still a member of the committee. His replacement will be announced in our next meeting in Abuja,” Coker said.

    The committee also reaffirmed its decision to uphold the September 30 elections of the Amaju Pinnick-led board.

    He continued: “How on earth will a lawyer say that Akinwunmi, from Lagos (South West zone) and Pinnick from Delta (South-South), are from the South-South zone, the reason he gave for the annulment of their elections?

    “We have resolved to uphold the election of Amaju Pinnick and Seyi Akinwunmi and also reaffirm our position that Chief Felix Anyansi and Alhaji Sheriff Rabiu Inua were duly elected by the 2014 Electoral Congress held in Warri on September 30, 2014.”

  • Pinnick reiterates pledge to Super Falcons

    Pinnick reiterates pledge to Super Falcons

    President of Nigeria  Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has once again assured the Super Falcons of high –level preparations ahead of the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada next year summer.

    The NFF supremo spoke on Saturday night, hours after the African Champions were drawn in the same group with United States of America, Australia and Sweden at the finals taking place 6th June – 5th July, 2015 across six Canadian cities.

    “It is a tough group. You can see that even the Americans are calling it the most difficult group in the competition. However, our pledge to give the Super Falcons the best high –performance preparation possible is intact. They will go to a very good environment for their final camping programme and be engaged in quality friendly matches before the finals,” Pinnick reassured.

    Nigeria’s senior women’s team won a seventh African title in Namibia in October and will be expected to fly Africa’s flag high in North America.

    “It is important that we exceed our previous best performance of a quarter –final berth. Having dominated Africa ceaselessly, it is time that we begin to dominate the world.