Admin l Friday, January 06, 2017
ABUJA, Nigeria – President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has charged the newly –inaugurated Board of the Nigeria Women Football League to work with passion and commitment to lift the women’s League to a new pedestal.
Speaking at the new board’s inauguration at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Thursday, Pinnick poured encomiums on the board’s independent chairman, Aisha Falode and the other members, and expressed faith in their ability to lift the game to a new level.
“I am aware of the prowess of Falode in marketing, and what she can bring to the League to develop it. I also know that most of the members are well connected and could bring a new lease of life to the women’s League. They are all seasoned, passionate and capable.”
Falode, a member of the CAF Media Committee and CAF Match Commissioner, said it was a great honour for herself and other members to be called upon to serve.
“The reactions since we were appointed indicate that we are condemned to perform, to work hard and to achieve results. The past Boards of the women’s League did their best, but there is a lot of room for improvement.
“We will look at the structure and the issue of players’ welfare and we are committed to running a women’s League that is functional, compact and competitive. What we saw at the 10th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon confirmed that the gap between the so –called big teams and the so –called small teams in African women football has narrowed significantly.
“It is our responsibility to run a women’s League that will turn things around and we will give it our best shot. In truth, times are hard, but tough times also have a way of bringing the best out of people, in terms of innovation.”
Pinnick was joined at the inauguration by NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (NFF Executive Committee members), Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme (Deputy General Secretary), Mr. Bitrus Bewarang (Technical Director) and Mr. Bola Oyeyode (Director of Competitions).
THE NEW NWFL BOARD: Aisha Falode (Independent Chairman); Margaret Icheen (Independent Vice Chairman); Joe Amene (Independent Director); Kemi Adesanya (Director); Matilda Otuene (Director); Henrietta Ukaigwe (Director); Hussaina Suleiman (Director); Mustapha Tahir (Director); Usman Mustapha (Director); Nkechi Obi (Chief Executive Officer).
NFF CHALLENGES NNL BOARD ON AGGRESSIVE MARKETING
The Board of the Nigeria National League on Thursday paid a courtesy call on the NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja.
Led by its Chairman, Mr. Chidi Ofo Okenwa, the board expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve Nigerian Football in this new capacity, while expressing confidence in their ability to make the NNL much bigger and better than what it is now.
“We have come to let you know that we are ready to go. We are a board that understands the dynamics of association football, and we see ourselves as an arm of the NFF, and not a parallel body.
“Our commitment to making a difference is very high. With the support of the Federation, we believe the sky will be our limit,” Okenwa told an audience that included Pinnick, Sanusi and Chairman of Chairmen, Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
Pinnick told the NNL Board to drive themselves hard to innovate in order to be able to develop the second tier of Nigeria domestic football in the face of present economic realities, and particularly noted the pedigree of the board’s CEO, Hon. Bukola Olopade in marketing.
THE NEW NNL BOARD: Chidi Ofo Okenwa (Independent Chairman); Magaji Abdulkadir Kapaka (Independent Vice Chairman), Sunday Longbap (Independent Director); Oladimeji Ladi Thompson (Director); Dodo Isah (Director); Farouk Yarma (Director); Tunji Onatolu (Director); Ifeanyi Onyibe (Director); Amos Nworie (Director); Bukola Olopade (CEO).
