October 30, 2014 – President Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has heaped praises on the President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his fatherly role in the promotion of peace within the Nigeria football family.
Sports –loving President Jonathan’s latest glorious move was to call a truce meeting involving leading figures in Nigeria football on Wednesday, which effectively led to the resolution of a leadership crisis that threatened the very soul of the Nigeria game.
“President Jonathan’s keen personal interest and fatherly role has enabled the eventual peaceful resolution of a disturbing crisis, and I wish to express the heartfelt appreciation of the entire Nigeria football family to His Excellency.
“We are all very grateful to him as he has once more demonstrated his well –known love for our football and we can never thank him enough,” Pinnick said in Abuja.
The NFF supremo also commended the efforts of Vice President Namadi Sambo, GCON, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Distinguished Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON, Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo, Ambassador Chris Giwa and others who played roles in quenching the leadership flame.
“I want to assure President Jonathan and all top Government officials who played one role or the other in the resolution of the crisis that the NFF is now much stronger and able to confront the challenges of painstaking developing the game to take our football to new heights.
“The football family is also more united and we assure the Giwa group that we will sit down and see how and where they can make lasting contributions to the development of the Nigeria game,” Pinnick added.
Nigeria has avoided a looming FIFA axe after the group led by Ambassador Chris Giwa opted to discontinue its case at the Federal High Court, Jos when hearing was about to resume on Thursday.
The move has effectively killed off the court case and means the Amaju Pinnick –led NFF Executive Committee can continue to administer Nigeria football without any interference or hindrance, which was the demand made by FIFA in its letter of Tuesday, 28th October, 2014.
The country has therefore beaten the deadline of mid –day of Friday, 31st October, 2014 given by the world football –governing body.
