Governing Bodies
Nigeria football problems: “Am the Answer”, declares Pastor Idah Peterside, ex-international
As the build up to the elective congress of the Nigeria Football Federation gathers momentum, one of the aspirants, Idah Peterside has sent an audio clip to the Sports Village Square to enunciate his plans for Nigerian football and why he should be elected as president in succession to the incumbent, Amaju Pinnick.
Peterside, a former Nigerian international who is also a pastor is not the only aspirant to become the NFF President. But he has unfolded his vision in a five minute and 22 second audio clip sent to the Sports Village Square.
Here is his declaration:
“My name is Dr. Idah Peterside, former international Nigeria player. I have served Nigeria with all my strength.
“I have been involved with football since I was 16 -17 years. I played for great teams in Nigeria – Sharks of Port Harcourt, Enyimba, Rangers, BCC Lions, I even played for NNPC Warri.
“So football is basically my life. Fortunately for me I had 15 appearances for the national team and I have two caps. I have served football all my life and I think it is the right time to come back and offer my experience.
“I have been involved in media. I worked for Super Sports for 20 years, I was the media officer to the Super Eagles for four years. I attended two nations cup and one World Cup.
“I have the experience not just the experience.
In the history of Nigerian football, no ex footballer, again I say it, no ex footballer has led the NFF. I think that’s not right. It’s our game.
“We don’t condemn all those that have served before us, we appreciate their contributions, especially the last board led by Amaju Pinnick.
“They’ve done great things for Nigerian football. But I think it is time to move forward. I think it is time for a new thing. There is coming a revolution.
“This revolution comes with integrity. This revolution comes with passion. We will move Nigeria football forward. Our teams need to be supported.
“Our national team needs to be the best. It cannot be otherwise. Our clubsides need to be playing in the finals of the Champions League and cup tournaments all around Africa.
“We are Nigeria. We are a proud nation. Therefore, it is expected that we should lead the surge to be the best in Africa. There will be changes. We will go to the grassroots.
“We will develop out football grassroots. The FA president will be involved. We will make sure that we will support them in anyway they need support.
“An the clubsides will play with our enumerations. We will make sure we have TV rights. We’ll bring television back to our game. We will change the course of football in Nigeria.
“What about women’s football? We will take time out specially to make sure that our sisters and our daughters play to the highest level. We will help them in every way.
“We will train coaches to be involved in women’ football. An we will see that with time, our ladies will be world beaters. It’s going to be beautiful.
“I want to be elected and I speak with all the clubs chairmen. It doesn’t matter where you come from, whom you are, how long you have been around . It is what do you have to offer.
“I have a lot to offer. I love Nigeria. I love football. I have played football to the highest level. I want to call all the stakeholders: do not look at faces this time. Look at the game.
“Nigerians are suffering. Nigerians are looking for answers. We are looking for answers. I believe I am the answer. I will turn things around. I will bring dignity back to our football.
“People will be excited again about Nigeria football. Clubsides will enjoy the benefit of my leadership. Fans around the world will be excited wearing our jerseys and carrying our flags and seeing indeed that Nigeria is back.
“I want to be elected as the president. I will carry footballers along. I will carry top veterans along. It will be a place of peace. Trust me. This is what am called to do, to bring peace.
“Therefore, there would be peace. Peace in our football. Joy in our footbal. People will be excited that our football is back. But you need to give me your mandate.
“I ask for your mandate. We would solve Nigeria football problem. I promise you. There will be discipline. There will be integrity. Our referees will be top class around the world. Our coaches will be helped and developed as much as we need what to do.
“We will help our football. You will see in the first three months of my reign, it will begin to show. I have a dream and that dream is to have a massive complex a place where our national team can always gather.
“I have travelled around the world – Morocco and in Holland, there is a place called Papendal. It is a beauty to behold. Why not in Nigeria.
“I appeal to all those in charge; there should be no cliques, there should be no war. Let’s talk football. Let save our football. Give me your mandate.
“My name is Idah Peterside. Thank you for listening to me. It’s going to be better. I promise you. God bless you.”
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) will hold its Executive Committee (“EXCO”) meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Monday, 21 October 2024.
The Executive Committee meeting, to be chaired by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, will start at 10h30 local time (07h30 GMT).
The meeting will be held ahead of the 46th Ordinary General Assembly which will also take place in the Ethiopian capital on Tuesday, 22 October 2024 at 10h00 local time (07h00 GMT).
Wahid Oshodi, the newly elected President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) has made an immediate call to the private sector to boost table tennis on the continent.
His approach focuses on not relying solely on public funds but on seeking corporate investment to elevate the sport.
He has launched an ambitious strategy to strengthen the development of table tennis in Africa.
His first step has been to solicit the backing of the private sector, which he sees as crucial to taking the sport to the next level.
In his inaugural address, Oshodi emphasised that relying exclusively on government funding and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) “will not be enough to boost the sport across the continent.”
“It’s time to involve private and corporate organisations to help table tennis flourish in Africa.
“We cannot continue depending solely on government funding. We aim to raise the standards and produce more African superstars who can shine globally,” stated the new ATTF president, seeking a significant financial injection to tackle the challenges and ambitions set out for his tenure.
His election, held on 15 October in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was unanimous. Indeed, a clear acknowledgement of his international reputation and dedication to table tennis.
Oshodi, who was previously elected Vice President of the ATTF in 2019 and Executive Vice President of the ITTF in 2021, has more than proven his ability to lead the sport’s development both in his home country and across the continent.
The Lagos-born leader is not only focused on funding but also on fostering unity among ATTF member associations. He believes that a united continent will be stronger and better positioned to succeed on the global stage. “Unity is key. Together, we can achieve more for table tennis in Africa,” he added.
Governing Bodies
Sanusi set for record-extending tenure as Nigeria’s football politicians assemble in Asaba
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Speculations gathered ahead of the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation holding in Asaba on Friday have it that tenure elongation for the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, is a major item on the agenda.
Neither formal confirmation nor denial has been issued since one of the leading newspapers in Nigeria, ThisDay dropped the hint.
The agenda of the meeting is also not made public. Dr, Sanusi is the longest-serving General Secretary in history having been in office from 30 March 2015 making 3,476 days or nine years six months and four days.
It easily drowned that of his closest rival in tenure – Sani Toro whose tenure from 21 December 1993 to 3 May 1999 is merely 2020 days or five years, six months and 12 days.
Thus, no one had enjoyed a longer period in office than the incumbent, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. It is speculated that the tenure will be extended as NFF has reported that all delegates have arrived in the Delta State capital by Thursday evening.
The NFF Annual General Assembly, the first of which took place 90 years ago in Lagos on 19 February 1934, is the biggest assemblage of football administrators and stakeholders in the country.
In one such meeting on 24 July 2008 in Makurdi, the football body changed its name from NFA to NFF.
This year, according to a press release by the NFF, the plenary will have in attendance, the chairmen and secretaries of football associations in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, chairmen and secretaries of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nationwide League One, as well as chairmen and secretaries of the referees’ association, players’ union and coaches’ association. This group of 88 makes up the Congress.
They are joined by the members of the NFF Executive Committee and the management team as well as former NFF Presidents and General Secretaries.
The Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, is announced as the special guest. Nigeria’s Member of the FIFA Council, Amaju Melvin Pinnick is also expected as well as a representative of the West African Football Union (WAFU B).
The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori will declare the General Assembly open.
Venue is the Unity Hall of the Delta State Government House.
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