Walk ‘to eradicate corruption
Admin I Saturday, August 31, 2024
ABUJA, Nigeria – In what was a first-ever in the history of Nigeria Football Federation, the leadership of the Federation on Saturday organized a befitting send-off ceremony for Management and Staff of the organization who retired between the year 2019 and the present.
The retired officers also went home with financial benefits.
Among the beneficiaries are former Director of Competitions, Mr. Bola Oyeyode; one-time Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria National League, Mr. Lawrence Katken; former Director of Finance & Admin, Mr. Babatunde Akinsanya; former Deputy Directors in the Technical Department, Dr. Robinson Okosun, Mr. Siji Lagunju and Mr. Abdulrafiu Yusuf and; former Deputy Directors (Accounts), Mr. John Adelowo and Mr. Karim Bako, as well as Mr. Sunday Okayi, Mr. Emmanuel Adesanya and Mrs Edith Uzoechi. A total of 20 persons were involved.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said that the essence of the event was to honour those who had served the Federation meritoriously and as well send a message to those still serving that they will be appreciated for good work when they eventually have to leave service.
“The present NFF administration will always be intentional about rewarding hard work, diligence, productivity, creativity and enterprise.
Management and Staff should always have it in mind that the interest of the Federation (and that of Nigeria Football, on the general plane) is paramount.
“I congratulate those who have retired that we are celebrating today, and I pray that they continue to thrive in good health and sound mind in their different endeavours.”
Babatunde Akinsanya, who spoke on behalf of the retirees, lauded the Ibrahim Gusau administration for the noble move, insisting that posterity will be kind to the present leadership for instituting something that will eventually benefit every member of staff whenever they retire, whether as a result of attaining the age of 60 or as a result of having served the nation for 35 years.
Corruption
Scores of members of Management and Staff of the Nigeria Football Federation on Saturday embarked on a ‘walk’ within the precincts of the MKO Abiola National Stadium and Area 1 in the Federal Capital to raise awareness on the need to eradicate corruption in the nation’s life.
Scores of persons braved the early-morning drizzle to walk from the Football House in Package B to Area 1 and back to the MKO Abiola National Stadium through Package A, with a ringing message for those serving the country in whatever capacity to imbibe the tenets of transparency and accountability.
Directors of the Federation, including Ademola Olajire (Media & Communications), Okey Obi (Legal Services), Paulinus Anameje (Finance & Admin) and Ruth David (Competitions) and deputy directors Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman, Rajan Zaka, Dayo Enebi Achor and Alizor Chuks were joined by a number of assistant directors and the rank-and-file, as well as youth corpers in the exercise. NFF’s Desk Officer at the ICPC, Mr. Lawrence Abuo was also part of the exercise.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi addressed the officers at the end of the walk, stating that the need for transparency and accountability in the administration and organization of Nigeria Football can never be over-emphasised.
He praised them for their commitment to these virtues as underscored by the walk, and promised that the walk will be a regular exercise among members of Management and Staff of the Federation.
