CAF Elections: Okowa, Sports Veterans Hail Pinnick’s Victory
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick, on his election victory last Thursday as a member of the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
In a statement issued in Asaba on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, Governor Okowa extolled Pinnick’s contribution to the round leather game in Nigeria culminating in his election as a member of Executive Committee of CAF.
Okowa noted that Pinnick’s firm belief in revolutionising football administration in Nigeria has paid off by his achievements since he was elected as NFF President in 2014.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I congratulate you, an illustrious son of Delta State, Mr Amaju Pinnick, on your election into the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“Your election into the CAF Executive Committee no doubt is a realisation of your long standing belief in revolutionising football administration globally.
“It is our prayer that your partnership with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and new CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad, will further lead to the growth of football in Nigeria, Africa and beyond,” the governor stated.
Similarly, President of the Association of Sports Veterans of Nigerian Chief J. B Ogufere said yesterday that with time, Nigerians will come to appreciate the feat achieved by Pinnick as Executive Committee Member of CAF.
“For most of us, it may be superficial, the winning of another election, but with time we will come to realize that for getting through the narrow doors of CAF and emerging as a member of the Executive Committee Nigerian football will be better off.
“It is at that level that football is ruled. It is on that table that decisions are taken and if you are not in the inner circle, you are not in the inner circle,” stressed Ogufere.
The one time Board member of the NFA and President of the West African Football Union (WAFU) said for President Pinnick to emerge only the third Nigerian to sit on the Executive Committee of CAF in 60 years is worthy of praise and commendation.
“This was a victory achieved against all odds, a study in determination and conviction. We applaud him.”
The Veterans boss also noticed that with support he is likely to get from the FIFA and CAF presidents, the Nigerian football boss should not waste time in placing first his country and his continent on a favourable pedestal as regards the development and propagation of the game.