Honourable Yahaya Suleiman Kwande is a frontrunner to take over as the Nigeria Football Federation NFF president after declaring his intention to run for the position over the weekend.

The NFF elective congress has been scheduled to hold on September 30th in Benin City, the Edo State capital following the approval at the just concluded Annual General Assembly in Lagos State.

Posters seen on the social media over the weekend indicated that the Executive Board member of the current NFF board, Yahaya-Kwande, is preparing to declare his intentions to be the next NFF President.

Posters, produced by Plateau State Football stakeholders encouraging him to run for the position, were shared on various sporting WhatsApp groups detailing his desire to be the man to rescue the round lethal game in Nigeria.

The former chairman of Mighty Jet and the vice chairman of Plateau FA, who promised to run open governance which includes Equality, sustainable development for humanity, quality Welfare for players and staff, is among many contenders for the position declared vacant by the outgoing NFF president, Amaju Pinnick.

According to write-ups and roadmap on the poster, the former member of the House of Representatives is set to return the soccer glory of the nation back to its glorious day.

While he also looks forward towards making accountability, transparency and honesty his watchword, his plans is also to attract corporate sponsorship for the development of football in the country.

Hon. Kwande has held several positions in the country’s football house and has never been indicted for any form of corruption or misappropriation.

He has held position of Match Commissioner Appointment Committee Chairman, Chairman Finance Committee of the NFF among others.

A grass-root Mobilizer, Honourable Yahaya Suleiman Kwande, is also set to create a platform where the Sports ministry, ex-internationals and the NFF can share ideas capable of promoting the development of football In Nigeria.

With several other contestants flying their posters on the social media platforms, it has been revealed that Hon. Kwande will have to contend with some of his current executive board members who are also in the race to be the number one man running the affairs of football in the country.

The first Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and Chairman, Lagos State Football Association, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has cleared airs on uncertainties surrrounding Football administration in Nigeria in recent times and way forward on the 2022 NFF Election.

The Lagos State Football Association Boss who revealed the decision of the Executive Committee of the NFF in a video presentation on Monday assured total adherence to the supremacy of the congress and called the Stakeholders to put Football first over any ambition

The legal luminary who did not hide his feelings on the situation of things in Nigerian football particularly as expressed at various platforms assured that August 18 has been fixed for the Annual General Assembly scheduled to hold in Lagos.

In his words:

“My dear colleagues, please accept my heartfelt sporting greetings to you and every member of Nigerian football family. In lght of all that has been happening in recent times within the realm of Nigerian football, I have decided to send this message of assurance and give my personal stands on this issue.

As you all aware, there has been a dark cloud of uncertainties surrrounding the administration of our Football in the past few months. We have situation where, first, the issues of court injunction has affected our Football administration

“Many members of NFF Congress have mandated the Executive Committee to call the AGA within the specified time”

“In line with the views of Football fraternity at various fora, Executive Committee must ensure the 2022 NFF elections hold in September 22 withing the life spern of the current Executive Committee”

The plaintiff of Bayelsa State high court has filed for discontinuance of the suite.

In full alignment to the above, I’m aware that NFF Statues is the supreme Law for the administration of Football in Nigeria subject of course to any conflict with the laws of Nigeria

By virtues of NFF Statues, Annual General Assembly as currently constituted is the supreme legislative body for the NFF. In deed, the Executive Committee holds the office at the behest of the congress.

The congress has been informed by the NFF General Secretary that after the botched AGA earlier fixed for 16th August, 2022 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has now been fixed 18th of August, 2022 in Lagos”

As Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, I look forward to receiving you at the Centre of Excellence”

In his submission, The proponent of grassroots Football development affirms that: “I wish to make it abundantly clear that I support the total adherence of the NFF Statues, the supremacy of the congress and the commitments that NFF Elections be held on or before 20 September, 2022”.

As a Football family, this is a yet another time when we are called upon to come together and put Football first.

I thank you for your time and I assure you my total commitment and willingness to see to the bright future of Nigerian football. God bless you “

President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has stated clearly that he will not run for the position of NFF Presidency for the Third Term promising to work with whoever succeed him after the September elections.

Pinnick on Arise TV on Monday morning stated, “I am fine. There are so many Nigerians that are capable of being there (NFF President). I will assist and work with anyone who wins the elections.”

“I will work with whoever emerges as NFF President. That I promise. I will intervene but will not interfere,” Pinnick concluded.

Pinnick who is the first Nigerian to win as NFF President twonConsecutive times had earlier declared he would not contest against for the same position after Super Eagles failed to pick the World Cup ticket.

However, the NFF has been foot-dragging on scheduling of NFF Annual General Assembly (AGA) which set the ball rolling for the Elective Congress. But, that seemed to be over as the federation set 18th September 2022 for the AGA in Lagos State and promised that the Elections would hold in September this year.

After his Position as Chairman of Anambra State Football Association was ratified by the Nigeria football federation,NFF, Ex Nigeria international Chikelue Iloenyosi has Continued to receive Congratulatory messages from across the football circle in Nigeria.

Proprietor of the Popular Kamar Football Academy Idah, Kogi State Coach Abubakar Kamar Olachene has joined millions of football loving Nigerians who have been sending in Congratulatory messages to the Anambra FA boss.

In a letter dated 28th July 2022 issued by the Kamar Football Academy boss ,he described the new development as way forward for the development of the round leather game in Anambra and indeed Nigeria,Most especially at a time like this when the players union is aggressively agitating for more representation in the Nigeria football federation Congress.

Coach Kamar Olachene described Chikelue Iloenyosi as a dogged fighter and a goal Getter whose resilience and persistence in trying to recover his mandate has accorded him maximum respect across board.

He said this is the time for for the Ex Nigeria international to chart a new course for football in Anambra State by aggressively developing the game especially from the grassroot.

The Nigeria Football Association in a letter addressed to the Secretary of Anambra FA dated July 28 2022 recognized Chikelue Iloenyosi as winner of the contentious election conducted on 30th October 2022 thereby laying to rest all issues emanating from the contest.

My name is Adewale Ajayi calling from a quiet city, north of the Atlantic in Canada.

Hope you remember me? I am your friend of many years, one journalist you have used for a thousand hatchet jobs and the young man at the forefront of your third term campaign.

I hope you still remember me? If you don’t, let me remind you further. We had a sustained misunderstanding that lasted for more than two years and just last year, we agreed to work together for the good of the game.

However, after that unfortunate defeat to Ghana that halted our world cup dream, I called you and advised that we jettison the third term ambition, focus on developing the game at all levels and work towards anointing a responsible and acceptable successor.

It didn’t end there, you went on National television to officially tell the world that you are no longer pursuing a third term dream, rather you will want to end your second term on a high.

That being the case, I am surprised, confused and disturbed by comments from your friends and close associates that you are still scheming to return. As much as i don’t want to believe what I am hearing, your body language is not proving otherwise and events of the last few days have shown that there is more to this, than meets the eyes.

Like in the past, a few journalists, loyal to your third term cause, thesame men who have joined me to attack and insult previous sports ministers are again at the forefront of this fresh media madness. We have been on this route before, we have exchanged notes, mapped out strategies and worked out modus of operation. And together, we have celebrated victory.

Against Tamuno Danagogo and his cohorts, we came out fighting like wounded lions, we wrestled against principalities and powers in high places, we tore them to pieces and offered their bodies to the dogs. They left brutally shattered after years of torment and ridicule.

Against Solomon Dalung, the strategy changed. We employed more soldiers of war, we littered social media with unpalatable writeups and fought him with pants down until the very end.

At that time, we worked with some of the most intelligent football administrators who understood the game and were united in the struggle. Among them was a certain Musa Amadu, who as General Secretary of the NFF then, refused to bulge even with a gun to his head. Musa fought gallantly to repel the invaders. He was bundled from one DSS office to the other, he refused to accept bribe running into millions of dollars from the opposition but at the end, he was sacrificed and evicted from the glasshouse for disobeying orders from above. Let me stop here, as that is a story for another day.

Like Musa, Christopher Green, Tunde Aderibigbe and a few others loyal to the cause, have all been ridiculed, rejected or rendered redundant either by fate or by coincidence.

As much as many held on to their grievances, the congress was united. The reason behind the unity at that time is because, for once, everyone saw the need to fight the enemy. The enemy then was the opposition group who refused to let go a mandate they claimed was given to them by some unidentified FA chairmen at the August 26, 2014 Election in Chida.

The congress never wanted to create any loophole for these invaders to take over power and that was the only reason why you returned as NFF president on September 30, 2018 for a record second term in office.

Let me also remind you sir, that Aminu Maigari, the former NFF president whom you defeated in Katsina, was on the threshold of making a triumphant return until he infamously appeared in a Jos Federal high Court to stand in as witness in a case involving the percieved enemies of Nigeria football and the NFF led by you.

That singular decision all but quashed the dream, as Aminu never recovered from the backlash from kinsmen who felt betrayed by his action.

That was when we had a united congress and a united board. Can you remember that in 2014, even when the sport ministry under Tamuno Danagogo made it known to the board that the federal government has anointed a new person as NFF president and wanted Aminu Maigari impeached, the board struggled to get it done because in the midst of the crisis and the confusions, members were united. Although a few later manufactured some fake signatures to get Maigari impeached, FIFA in their wisdom immediately reinstated the Bauchi state born football administrator, insisting that the process leading to his impeachment was faulty and unconstitutional.

Fast forward to 2022 and take a second look at the presidential order as read out by Nigeria sports minister, Sunday Dare. You will notice that at the tail end of that release, he ended my saying, that all decisions taken must be done in accordance with the NFF status. It shows that he didn’t just wake up to orchestrate or manufacture that press release. It was well planned, carefully rehearsed and professionally done.

The present sport minister is not one man who takes rash decisions. He is well grounded in international sports politics and is surrounded by men who understand the game deeply.

In putting forward a team to draw up the football master plan, Dare took time to test the waters, he made wide consultations and selected some of the best brains in the sector. He understands the implication of making mistakes especially in football matters and has done no wrong in insisting that the NFF president set in motion modalities on how to set aside the court order restraining the congress of the NFF from calling an annual General assembly that will immediately fix a date for an elective congress in September or any other date as agreed by congress.

If it was before, in the days of old, when the congress was still very united, when members of the executive committee were on thesame page, many would have joined this sponsored attack on the minister.

Unfortunately, the case this time is different. Totally different.

As at the last count, the opposition has infiltrated the board and three board members have pledged their loyalty to the Aminu Kurfi led group.

Aminu Kurfi is no small name in Nigeria football. He singlehandedly fought the invaders and insisted that the NFF Election of 2018 in Katsina must go ahead even when there was a late court order stopping the process.

He is a very powerful APC politician from the state of Mr President and has very close ties with the Emir of Daura, thesame man that the NFF assured that they will bring a FIFA goal project to his domain as a way to say thank you after two lavish pre and post Election parties. That promise has not been fulfilled till date.

The fact that Balele, a man whose love and loyalty to Amaju was never in doubt has today turned around to form an alliance with over 20 other FA chairmen paints a picture of what is ahead.

The deadline given by the opposition FA chairmen to the NFF president to call for an annual General assembly expired on Tuesday July 12 and with. It comes fresh expectations as a thick cloud continue to hover around Nigeria football.

Methinks, that the best strategy for you Mr Amaju my dear friend is not to make more enemies. This is a time to seek audience with the homourable sports minister and outline your plans. If you must know, Dare has no candidate and has no political game plan. He is only playing the fatherly role, trying to guide and guard the board on how to do things, not what to do.

For those claiming that his press release comes with a pinch of interference, they know absolutely nothing. As much as he ended by advising that everything must be done in conformity with the NFF status, he has shown that he respects the status and understands the plot perfectly.

What I think Mr Amaju should bother his head about for now is how to identify the real enemies and mend fences with them. Dare is the least of your problems. The bigger problem is ahead.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed

Thanks for reading, have a blessed day.

Sporting Regards

From your friend
Adewale Ajayi

I am not against Pinnick’s ambition though he has never told me that he is contesting but I have listened to interview where he said he is not contesting,so on the basis of that I am saying the right thing should be done.
there has been so much crisis over the years and that necessitated President Buhari insisting that an election should be held in on or before September with major stakeholders being carried along to forestall any recurrence of what we had in the past’

‘we have done our part as government institution but now it is now left for NFF congress to decide their faith ‘ he concluded

When all parties meet at the crossroads, the Nigerian football ecosystem must face some hard questions head-on. The subject of infrastructure will continue to dominate the fore of discussion when Nigeria football is juxtaposed with its contemporaries in the beautiful game.

When one looks in hindsight, the Nigerian Football Federation has not given Nigeria even a single football pitch as a federation. The trend is recent times has been such that the NFF shops the Super Eagles around states governors, delivering the team to the highest bidders, so as to make money for onward self aggrandizement.

Since the assumption of Sunday Dare into office as the country’s Sports Minister, the Ministry has fixed a number of Stadium across the country, from Lagos, to Abuja, to Daura.

It would have been good wisdom if the NFF showed interest in picking up and caring for at least of the many pitches across the country, for utilization by the national teams.
The Football Federation have instead distanced themselves from the talks of football infrastructure in the country, while the Ministry as being continues to invest efforts in it.

The only two on-going stadium projects for football are domiciled in the hometowns of the two leaders of the NFF, perhaps in a smirking move of selfishness.
One can only wonder what usually happens to all the developmental funds FIFA and CAF continually pours in the Federation over the years. One would struggle to find a worthy infrastructural value addition from the Federation.

Sunday Dare will perhaps go down as one of the most cooperative, open and collaborative minister. For every decision, it is discussed with the NFF towards ensuring best choices are made. From Amaju Pinnick to Mohammed Sanusi and others, they have seen having briefs with the minister on numerous occasions.

First Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Barrister Seyi Akinkunmi has denied reports of declaration to vie for office of NFF president.

Bar. Akinwunmi who is also the Chairman, Lagos State Football Association is currently serving his second term as number two person under Amaju Pinnick led football federation.

The distinguished legal luminary told onwardews24.com that the news about his declaration which was culled from the South West Football stakeholders meeting held last week was a complete false and another style of detractors to cause disharmony among the football family in the zone.

Akinwunmi who heads the federation’s committee on youth development said the meeting held last week was not about his intention to vie for the office of the President and such was not discussed at the meeting.

“You may have read that I had declared an intention to run for the President of the NFF.

“While there is nothing wrong with me being interested in being President, I certainly have not declared any interest and no such discussion was had at our zonal meeting. I am not one to jump the gun in anything I do, so the issue of running for Presidency is not on the front burner.

“Some people are trying to distract and disunite us because they see that we are united. This old style of blackmail cannot work with us as we in the South-West Zone are focused on the various issues raised in our communique.”

Read the communique issued at the meeting of South West Zone of football associations held in Lagos State:

COMMUNIQUE OF THE MEETING OF THE CHAIRMEN AND SECRETARIES OF THE SOUTH WEST ZONE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS HELD AT NAPTIN HOTEL, LAGOS ON THE  6TH OF MAY 2022.

1.The South-West Zone Chairmen and Secretaries  were commended for the sterling work they have been doing in their various States and in the Zone to promote grassroots and youth football.

2. The Lagos State FA was commended for organising and hosting  the U-13 Western Nigeria Intensity Champions League billed to take place the next day 7th May 2022 at the newly developed Maracana Stadium, Ajegunle. While the 5 (five) other FA’s were appreciated for their effort and time spent to prepare for and bring the young footballers to the competition.

3. It was noted that the LMC/La Liga U-15 League was currently taking place in Ikenne, Ogun State with the Finals slated to take place on the 8th of May 2022. All members were encouraged to attend.

4. It was resolved that the South-West Zone must continue to maintain its leadership position in matters relating to youth football  development by the regular organisation and hosting of youth tournaments in the Zone.

5. It was noted that the hosting of these youth tournaments afforded members of the Zone the opportunity to discuss matters affecting development of football in the Zone and how to improve cordial relationship and cooperation within the Zone.

6. It was resolved that the South-West Zone will continue to work as one indivisible body with the rest of the Football Family from all zones in the best interest of Nigerian Football.

7. It was consequently resolved that henceforth in order to foster better communication and camaraderie,  any Chairman or Secretary of the South- West Zone present who attends any meeting on general Nigerian football development matters does so on behalf of the Zone and must immediately communicate resolutions to all members.

8. It was unanimously resolved that the South-West Zone must be fully committed to any move to lift the injunction/dismiss the suit in Bayelsa State Court that has prevented the convening of an Annual General Assembly since last December.

9. It was unanimously resolved that the South-West Zone must be fully committed to any move towards having the NFF Executive Committee elections held as and when due within the ambit of the law.

10. It was resolved that the South-West Zone would host a football competition in the name of former General Secretary of the NFA (as the NFF was then known) and the erstwhile chairman of the Osun State FA Chairman, the late Mr. Taiwo Ogunjobi

11. Osun State FA  and Ekiti State FA Chairmen and Lagos State FA Secretary were given the task to present the modalities for the Competition and plans for sponsorship drive and funds raised will be used to complete the building of the Osun State FA (Ogunjobi House) building.

In Attendance:

i. Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi (Chairman Lagos State FA),

ii. Alhaji Majekodunmi Ganiu (Chairman Ogun State FA),

iii. Otunba Dele Ajayi (Chairman Ondo State FA),

iv. HRM James Odeniran ( Chairman Oyo State FA),

v. Otunba Mustapha Rasaq Isola ( Chairman Osun State FA),

vi. Mr. Bayo Lanlege (Chairman Ekiti State FA),

vii. Otunba Tade Azeez (NRA President),

viii. Mr. Akeem Rabiu-Okikioposu (Secretary Lagos State FA),

ix. Mr. Pelumi Abiara (Secretary Ekiti State FA),

x. Mr. Idowu Victor (Secretary Ogun State FA),

xi. High Chief Adetoyinbo  Ibukun Ezekiel (Secretary, Ondo State FA)

xii. Mr. Akintunde Olaleye (Assistant Secretary Oyo State FA)

One of the highly respected Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Members, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ has repudiated the story published by a media outlet, Insideglasshouse.com, where it was reported that he has declared his intention to put his feet forward ahead of the NFF’s General Elections, which comes up later this year.

Fresh, while reacting to the news said; “The report about my plans for NFF’s Presidential election is inaccurate because I have not discussed such with anyone. This is an election year and anyone is free to contest but the recent story regarding my said Presidential ambition is void of news accuracy ingredients and I urge the public to discard it, as I am not interested in the NFF Presidential race for now.”

However, the Niger State FA Chairman, who doubles as the NFF’s Technical and Development Committee Chairman seems busy with the tasks at hand and doesn’t want to be distracted.

“Presently, I’m occupied with National assignments, we are focused on football development across the country’s football layers, and of course, it is the Election year; But we have various National teams who are preparing for different events, so my attention is fully fixated on the teams while planning to give the crews a lot of support in my stead.

“I don’t want NFF’s General Elections or its statutory processes to move me away from my major tasks right now,” he maintained strongly.

Perhaps, some football stakeholders and sources who are closed to Insideglasshouse.com might have seen the leadership qualities of the NFF’s Vice-chairman Strategic Committee, hence, they fed the media such information linking him with Nigeria Football Federation’s Presidential race. However, Fresh has revealed he is not interested in the Presidential race, For now.

SIGNED:

Olaoluwa Aro,

SSA to Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’.

The Super Falcons should provide a model for the Super Eagles and the NFF can work to make that model stronger

In the past 18 years, the Falconets and Flamingos have been the bedrock of the Super Falcons. They feed the senior team after each tournament and the coaches of the Falcons have helped with seamless progression of the girls

Since the U20 and U17 women’s world cup started, the youth teams have produced amazing talents for the Falcons and their progression has been smooth and have helped the Falcons to maintain dominance in Africa and rise to prominence in the world.

Let me start from 2010

In 2010, the Falconets got to the final of the world cup. In that team, we had Alaba Jonathan, Osinachi Ohale, Cecelia Nku, Glory Iroka, Desire Oparanozie, Helen Ukaonu, Amarachi Okoronkwo, Esther Sunday, Charity Adule, Ngozi Ebere, Ebere Orji, Josephine Chukwunonye and others. These girls moved to the Falcons and won the AWCON that same year and some played at the Senior World Cup in 2011. Oparanozie joined the Falcons after returning from the U20 world cup and scored 5 goals at AWCON

The Flamingoes played at the 2010 U17 World Cup and from there, Ngozi Okobi and Francisca Ordega joined the Falcons as 17 year olds and won the AWCON same year and Ordega even scored at AWCON as a 17 year old girl

Since then, the Falconets and Flamingoes have produced: Asisat Oshoala, Osarenoma Igbinovia, Uchenna Kanu, Joy Bokiri, Glory Ogbonna, Uchenna Kanu, Uchechi Sunday, Halimatu Ayinde, Ugo Njoku, Chiamaka Nnodozie, Monday Gift, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Rasheedat Ajibade, Vivian Ikechukwu, Chinaza Uchendu Chidinma Okeke, Peace Efih, Sarah Nnodim, etc

At the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, Chidinma Okeke provided a sublime assist to Asisat Oshoala. In 2018, she played at the junior world cup with Nnadozie and a year later, Okeke provided that assist for a goal that guaranteed Nigeria’s place in the round of 16 for the first time in 20 years while Asisat Oshoala, another product of the Falconets scored. In goal, Chiamaka Nnadozie made history as the youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at the World Cup. A year earlier in 2018, she was a Falconets player.

Time will probably not be enough to enumerate what the girls from the youth teams have done for the Falcons

These girls had played for the Falcons and won laurels with the team even before most of them turned 20 or 22

This model has sustained the Falcons for almost two decades and kept them relevant. This model can be replicated at the Eagles and the narratives could change

The NFF should also ensure that this model is not interrupted by the influx of Nigerian players born abroad into the national teams. This model has strengthened the league and the women’s team.

This is why attention must be given the Falconets and Flamingoes and thankfully, the NFF have shown their support and the Falconets have already qualified for another World Cup

The Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets deserve this attention too, along with the U15 male team, the Future Eagles. This model can work to get our teams flying again.

Bethel Kalu writes from Aba, Abia State