President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki on Monday admonished
football administrators in Nigeria to allow peace by accepting defeat in
the interest of the immediate environment and larger society, also
desisting from ‘pull-the-house-down’ syndrome when things do not go
their way.
Nigeria’s number three man spoke at the Senate President’s Conference
Room at the National Assembly in Abuja, when receiving visiting FIFA
President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General, Ms Fatma Samoura,
alongside NFF President Amaju Pinnick, FA presidents from other African
countries and members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management.
“The kind of global recognition we have today, as a result of this
historic visit, challenges us to learn to allow peace and stability in
Nigerian football. If people lose election, they should learn to accept
defeat. People used to blame politicians for do-or-die attitude;
politicians have moved, it is now football administrators who have this
attitude! When you lose an election, you should be prepared to wait for
the next poll.
“I call on those who are fomenting trouble or trying to divide the
house to stop their act. The National Assembly is united in moving to
restore peace in Nigerian football, and creating an enabling environment
for the game.”
Saraki, who owns a football club (ABS FC, in the Nigeria National
League), said the passion and love of Nigerians for football is
incredible. “Football is a big unifying factor in our country. As
governor of a State, I set up a football academy because there are so
many talents out there waiting to be nurtured.”
Earlier, the FIFA boss called Nigeria ‘a great country in a great
continent,’ adding: “I was impressed coming from the airport on Sunday
and seeing so many kids playing football on both sides of the road. That
shows Nigerians not only love football, they live football. There is
great passion and great tradition, but there is need for unity and
stability. I was elected on pledges of reforms, transparency and to
develop the game. I am happy that Ms Samoura accepted to be Secretary
General and the Executive Council endorsed her, because her choice said
something for inclusion, gender equality, diversity and the future that
we promise.”
NFF President Amaju Pinnick reiterated that the visit, the first time
that both the FIFA President and Secretary General would travel
together on a non –football competition assignment, underscored the
reckoning that Nigeria football commands globally.
He acknowledged the role of the National Assembly in re-defining
Nigeria football development, saying that peace is key to true growth.
He also recalled that months ago, the first football match was played in
Maiduguri after a long time, with a huge crowd at the stadium boldly
proclaiming the power of football to enable ceasefire even in war
situations.
In attendance were Senators Obinna Ogba, Philip Aduda, Shuaib
Abdullahi, Barau Jibrin, Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai, Monsurat Sunmonu,
David Umaru, Mao Ohuabunwa, Tijjani Kaura, Albert Bassey and Mohammed
Hassan, and Honourables Goni Bukar Lawan and Danburam Abubakar.
Also on the visit were the FA presidents of Ghana, Sierra Leone,
Rwanda, Tanzania, Djibouti, Somalia, The Gambia, Zambia, Ethiopia,
Kenya, Liberia and South Sudan, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi,
NFF vice presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, NFF Board members
Ibrahim Gusau, Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, Babagana Kalli, Sunday Dele-Ajayi,
Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, Sharif Inuwa and Chris Green, former NFF vice
president Amanze Uchegbulam, former NFF Board member Ahmadu Kawu and
Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme.
Earlier in the day, the FIFA President and Secretary General
inspected the new NFF headquarters (Sunday Dankaro House) located at the
Package B of the National Stadium. On Sunday, both leading world
football governors attended a welcome dinner powered by the League
Management Company and which also had Sports Minister Solomon Dalung,
Mr. Christian Ohaa (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports),
Nigeria’s IOC member Habu Gumel, members of the diplomatic corps,
African FA presidents, NFF chieftains, LMC directors, corporate bigwigs
and media representatives in attendance.
