More Nigerians Take Up Posts In CAF
OHIA FRANCIS UGOCHUKWU
President of Nigeria Football Federation/CAF Exco Member, Amaju Melvin Pinnick (second left), with FIFA President Gianni Infantino (middle), NFF 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi (left), 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko (second right) and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi (right) at the 40th CAF General Assembly in Casablanca, Morocco on Friday.
The positive ripple effects of NFF President Amaju Melvin Pinnick’s election into the CAF Executive Committee 10 months ago continued on Friday with further key appointments of Nigerians into CAF.
Barrister A. U. Mustapha, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was appointed President of the CAF Board of Appeal, while CAF Assistant General Coordinator and organizer of the COPA Lagos Invitational Beach Soccer Tournament, Samson Adamu, was appointed CAF’s Director of Competitions.
The appointments were announced at the 40th CAF General Assembly in Casablanca, Morocco.
“As a Federation, we are very proud that these appointments are coming during our tenure. The NFF President explained to us his vision for going all out for the CAF Executive Committee seat, and that was why we gave him all the support. I believe that other people can now see that vision.
“With just 10 months into his tenure on the CAF Executive Committee, so many Nigerians have been appointed into either FIFA or CAF committees or offices. I am aware that there are more appointments coming for Nigerians,” Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF 1st Vice President, said on Friday.
Apart from being in the CAF Executive Committee, Pinnick is also one of the strongest seven persons in CAF, being a Member of the Emergency Committee. He is also President of the Organizing Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Akinwunmi himself is a member of the CAF Committee for Youth Competitions, while 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko is in the Committee for Inter-Clubs Competitions and Club Licensing System.
Ibrahim Musa Gusau, member of the NFF Executive Committee is a member of the CAF Organizing Committee for the CHAN, and Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’, chairman of NFF Technical and Development Committee is in the same committee at CAF level.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Chief Obinna Ogba is member of the CAF Committee on Futsal and Beach Soccer; former NFF Board Member, Dr. Peter Singabele is in the Medical Committee while; Chisom Mbonu is a member of the Committee on Women Football.
Hon. Ayo Omidiran, ranking member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of NFF Women Football Committee, is a member of the organizing committee for the first –ever CAF Symposium on Women Football taking place in Morocco later this month.
Apart from the harvests at CAF level, Pinnick’s warm relationship with the FIFA top echelon has earned Nigeria rich rewards.
The NFF President himself is a member of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions – one of the most influential panels of the world football –ruling body.
Justice Ayotunde Philips (second left), Nigerian member of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee (Adjudicatory Chamber) with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and other members of her committee
Justice Ayotunde Philips, a former Chief Judge of Lagos State, was 8 months ago elected a member of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee (Adjudicatory Chamber).
NFF 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko has also been appointed a member of the FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee.
A smiling Pinnick said on Friday: “I am delighted at the influx of Nigerians into CAF and FIFA. We are working hard to get even more people into the two organizations. We should thank God for the strides that He has made possible for Nigerian Football in the past few months.”
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