Nigeria’s bid for a slot in the FIFA Council has received a major boost from the Federal Government through the endorsement by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare of the candidature of NFF President Melvin Pinnick Amaju.
According to the letter of endorsement signed by the Minister ” The Federal Government and the good people of Nigeria are delighted for the unique opportunity for another Nigerian to occupy a seat in FIFA Executive committee after the exit of Sir Oyo Orok Oyo and Dr Amos Adamu, Following the clearance of Mr Pinnick Amaju by the Confederation of African Football, the Federal Government of Nigeria hereby lend her unalloyed support to the candidature of Mr. Melvin Pinnick Amaju to contest the prestigious position into the FIFA Executive Council at the forthcoming 43rd Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football.”
The statement further said” We believe Amaju’s election into that revered position would not only bring pride and honour to our dear country but afford Nigeria a voice of influence towards the further development of football.
We hereby pledge our moral support to the actualization of Mr Amaju occupying this position during the election slated for Rabat, Morocco on March 12, 2021.”
Nigeria’s last bid through Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima was unsuccessful.
meanwhile, Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick has visited the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare in Abuja to discuss among other things, his intention to fly Nigeria’s flag in the fast-approaching FIFA council election.
The NFF President brought a letter, thanking the Federal Government for all their support and pledged to be a good ambassador of Nigeria if elected into the FIFA Council.
A member of the CAF executive committee, Amaju Pinnick is aware of the task ahead and appreciates the Federal government for agreeing to support his dream. He used the occasion of today’s visit to also thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mohammadu Buhari and all Nigerians for their unflinching support to Nigeria since he emerged President in 2014.
For his part, Mr Sunday Dare reiterated the need for Amaju to use his position and connections in CAF and FIFA to help promote and develop Nigeria and Africa football at all levels. He said he is happy to see Nigerians aspire to be among the very best in the world as that is the only way the country can have a say in the committee of football-playing nations.
