The Nigeria Football Federation NFF has been urged to build bridges and close ranks within the football fraternity to foster unity and good relationship in the football house.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung made the remark at the 72nd General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation held in Lagos on Sunday.
In his opening remark, Barrister Dalung congratulated the NFF for the victory of the Super Falcons at the recently concluded Africa Women's Cup of Nations in Cameroon as well as the successes recorded so far by the Super Eagles in their qualification matches for the 2018 World Cup.
Barrister Dalung stated that the Super Falcons' public protest for their entitlements could have been averted if the Football house had effectively managed the situation. He therefore called for the submission of a comprehensive proposal of programs of the federation for 2017 to the Ministry by January with all requests for intervention, to make way for scrutiny and effective planning.
In his speech, the Minister also said that his office has been inundated with reports suggesting that the board of the NFF is divided over the issue of Mr Pinnick Amaju contesting for a seat in the Confederation of African Football CAF.
" It is a policy of government to support and encourage Nigerians to vie and aspire for positions in international organizations. However, such persons must possess the requisite qualification and the wherewithal to succeed.
"So it was heartwarming when I received a letter from the president of NFF Mr Amaju Pinnick declaring his interest to vie for a position in CAF. The NFF is hereby directed to avail the ministry with the minutes of the meeting where Mr Pinnick's nomination for a CAF seat was discussed and approved so as to put the records straight. If our quest for a CAF seat is to materialize, then the NFF President will need the support of everybody."
Barrister Dalung also spoke on a report he received from the NFF raising queries on FIFA's audit report of $1.1m FIFA development grant to the NFF.
"According to the report, FIFA has withheld all development funds to 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 Muhammadu Buhari has zero tolerance for any act of misappropriation, misapplication, embezzlement or fraud in any guise."
He directed the NFF to provide the Ministry of Youth and Sports with detailed 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 to promote transparency, build credibility and enhance your market value." Dalung said.
He urged the Football family to consolidate on the gains of the successes recorded so far as the country can not afford to gamble with anything that will thwart the collective resolve to deliver the World Cup ticket to Nigeria.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung made the remark at the 72nd General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation held in Lagos on Sunday.
In his opening remark, Barrister Dalung congratulated the NFF for the victory of the Super Falcons at the recently concluded Africa Women's Cup of Nations in Cameroon as well as the successes recorded so far by the Super Eagles in their qualification matches for the 2018 World Cup.
Barrister Dalung stated that the Super Falcons' public protest for their entitlements could have been averted if the Football house had effectively managed the situation. He therefore called for the submission of a comprehensive proposal of programs of the federation for 2017 to the Ministry by January with all requests for intervention, to make way for scrutiny and effective planning.
In his speech, the Minister also said that his office has been inundated with reports suggesting that the board of the NFF is divided over the issue of Mr Pinnick Amaju contesting for a seat in the Confederation of African Football CAF.
" It is a policy of government to support and encourage Nigerians to vie and aspire for positions in international organizations. However, such persons must possess the requisite qualification and the wherewithal to succeed.
"So it was heartwarming when I received a letter from the president of NFF Mr Amaju Pinnick declaring his interest to vie for a position in CAF. The NFF is hereby directed to avail the ministry with the minutes of the meeting where Mr Pinnick's nomination for a CAF seat was discussed and approved so as to put the records straight. If our quest for a CAF seat is to materialize, then the NFF President will need the support of everybody."
Barrister Dalung also spoke on a report he received from the NFF raising queries on FIFA's audit report of $1.1m FIFA development grant to the NFF.
"According to the report, FIFA has withheld all development funds to 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 Muhammadu Buhari has zero tolerance for any act of misappropriation, misapplication, embezzlement or fraud in any guise."
He directed the NFF to provide the Ministry of Youth and Sports with detailed 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 to promote transparency, build credibility and enhance your market value." Dalung said.
He urged the Football family to consolidate on the gains of the successes recorded so far as the country can not afford to gamble with anything that will thwart the collective resolve to deliver the World Cup ticket to Nigeria.
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