November 17, 2014 – President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has expressed deep appreciation of the NFF, and the Nigeria football family as a whole, to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Adamu Gumba and Committee members for passage of the NFF Bill.
During a ‘Thank You’ visit to the distinguished personality in Pointe Noire, Congo on Friday evening, Pinnick said the accomplishment is one that would make for easy enthronement of the vision of the new NFF and ultimately fast –track the development of Nigeria football.
“We are here to specially appreciate you for your lead role in getting the NFF Bill to the final stage of assent that it is now. Posterity will always remember you and your Committee members for this feat.
“We know that you have done this just for football and nothing else. You have done this because of the passion you have for the game, and the passion you know that Nigerians have for it. At a time when most lawmakers are only thinking of elections, you have put everything else aside to help the cause of Nigeria football.”
Former Vice Chairman/CEO of the LOC for FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009, Mainasara Illo, who accompanied Pinnick, also had words of commendation for Gumba and the Senate Committee.
“What you have done for football, you may not appreciate the positive effect now. But I assure you the passage of this bill will make for much better administration of Nigeria football.”
In the same vein, President –General of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo thanked Gumba and the Senate Committee for the landmark feat.
Responding, Gumba, who retired as Deputy Comptroller –General of the Nigeria Customs Service, said he pursued the NFF Bill as a personal project because of his keen interest in football and the youth of Nigeria.
“I am happy because it is to my pride that the Bill is where it is now. All we have to do now is take it back to Conference Committee, achieve a clean copy and send to Mr. President for approval.
“It is to my joy and personal satisfaction because I took this as a personal project and it has been to fruition. Let me say that I have confidence in the present NFF Executive Committee and I believe the passage of the Bill will facilitate all their processes to take Nigeria football to higher heights.”
