By Amaechi Agbo
The Nigeria Football Federation, in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday held a sensitisation seminar for staff of the Federation aimed at curbing corrupt practices and promoting transparency within the football body.
While declaring the seminar open, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi MON, issued a stern warning that the Federation would no longer condone acts of misconduct among its personnel. He noted that certain actions taken for granted by public servants have serious implications under the law. “It is a corrupt practice for a public servant or civil servant to give out official documents or information. People take these things for granted but it is a serious misconduct. Similarly, it is a corrupt practice for you to collect salaries and allowances and refuse to do your work the way you are supposed to do it”
Sanusi called on the ICPC to look into the rising trend of frivolous and fictitious petitions and allegations against sports administrators, which he said often damage the image of the sport and waste the time of investigative agencies. He stressed that misinformation can be more harmful than a lack of information and urged stronger mechanisms,even punitive measures, to address false allegations
Mr. Olusegun Adigun FSI, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman of the ICPC, commended the NFF management under Dr Sanusi for the support it continues to give to the ACTU. He noted that corruption continues to undermine national development by weakening institutions and slowing economic growth. According to him, the ICPC Act 2000 focuses on enforcement, prevention and public enlightenment as the main approaches to combating corruption.
Responding to the prevalence of frivolous and fictitious petitions, Adigun encouraged the Federation to partner with the Commission by inviting ICPC officials to educate players, agents and other stakeholders during their meetings on the dangers of unethical conduct.
Present during the workshop were Chairman of NFF’s ACTU, Barr. Queens Otarakpo; NFF’s Director of Media & Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire; Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen; Director of Finance & Administration, Mr. Rajan Zaka; Director of Marketing & Sponsorships, Mr. Alizor Chuks; Head of Protocol, Mr Barnabas Joro; ICPC’s Deputy Director (System Study and Review), Mr Kayode Kupolati; NFF’s deputy directors and assistant directors; the Facilitator, Barr. Bimpe Abodunrin; ACTU Desk Officer Abdurahman Maigari and; Staff of the NFF.
