The foul air surrounding the holding of the General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Association appears to have cleared. The general assembly originally meant to hold in January this year but was postponed has suffered several set backs.
A court injunction botched the planned congress in January. But when the litigants withdrew the case, another date was fixed for 1Tuesday 16 August in Yenegoa in Bayelsa State.
But now, the train has moved to Lagos where another date of 18 August has been announced. The holding of the Congress in Lagos is almost coinciding with the actual, but yet to be accepted anniversary of the football body.
The NFF, Sports Village Square can authoritatively affirm, was founded as Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on 21 August 1933. The Congress in Lagos on 18 August is just three days short of the 89th anniversary of the football governing body. But the NFF officials across all generations erroneously believe the body was founded on an unknown date in 1945.
In a three minute and 41 seconds video clip circulated across different social media platforms, the NFF Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi, an attorney announced the new congress date even as he gave the background to the whole episode.
The transcript of his broadcast runs thus:
“My dear colleagues, please accept my heartfelt sporting greetings to you and every member of Nigerian football family. In light of all that has been happening in recent times within the realm of Nigerian football, I have decided to send this message of assurance and give my personal stands on this issue.
As you all aware, there has been a dark cloud of uncertainties surrounding the administration of our Football in the past few months. We have situation where, first, the issues of court injunction has affected our Football administration
“Many members of NFF Congress have mandated the Executive Committee to call the AGA within the specified time”
“In line with the views of Football fraternity at various fora, Executive Committee must ensure the 2022 NFF elections hold in September 22 withing the life span of the current Executive Committee”
The plaintiff of Bayelsa State high court has filed for discontinuance of the suite.
In full alignment to the above, I’m aware that NFF Statues is the supreme Law for the administration of Football in Nigeria subject of course to any conflict with the laws of Nigeria
By virtues of NFF Statues, Annual General Assembly as currently constituted is the supreme legislative body for the NFF. In deed, the Executive Committee holds the office at the behest of the congress.
The congress has been informed by the NFF General Secretary that after the botched AGA earlier fixed for 16th August, 2022 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has now been fixed 18th of August, 2022 in Lagos”
As Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, I look forward to receiving you at the Centre of Excellence”
In his submission, The proponent of grassroots Football development affirms that: “I wish to make it abundantly clear that I support the total adherence of the NFF Statues, the supremacy of the congress and the commitments that NFF Elections be held on or before 20 September, 2022”.
As a Football family, this is a yet another time when we are called upon to come together and put Football first.
I thank you for your time and I assure you my total commitment and willingness to see to the bright future of Nigerian football. God bless you “
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