By Albert Akota
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has described as ‘most shocking’ the death on Tuesday morning of the Chairman of Abia State Football Association, Sir Ephraim Chukwuemeka.
The respected former referee, who happened to be the longest-serving FA Chairman in the country, died on Tuesday morning in Umuahia, capital of Abia State.
“The NFF has this morning received the most shocking news about the death of Sir E. C. Chukwuemeka, who has for decades been an esteemed member of the NFF Congress. I spoke with him just over a week ago when he told me that his wife had a partial stroke. I had no idea it would be the last conversation between us.
“Sir Chukwuemeka represented the vintage old guard in the NFF Congress and blessed us all with his wisdom, deep knowledge and understanding of the game of football, its rules, its management and its intricacies. We will all miss him dearly. Our prayer is that Almighty God should grant him eternal rest and also empower those he has left behind, including his immediate family, friends and the Nigeria football fraternity, with the fortitude to bear the big loss,” Gusau said.
NFF empanels judicial, match officiating committees
The Nigeria Football Federation on Monday constituted its judicial and match officiating committees, for the period 2022-2026.
Heading the Referees Committee is former FIFA referee, Mrs Faith Irabor, with Mallam Rabiu Umar as vice chairman, while the Match Commissioners Committee is headed by Member of NFF Board, Alhaji Babagana Kalli. The vice chairman is Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, another member of the NFF Board.
The Disciplinary Committee is headed by Barrister J. B. C. Obikwelu, former vice chairman of the Anambra State Football Association, while Barrister Gandi Umar Mohammed is chairman of the Appeals Committee.
The Referees and Match Commissioners’ committees are scheduled to meet with the NFF leadership at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Thursday by 1pm, in preparation for the 2022-2023 Nigeria Professional Football League season commencing on Saturday, 8th January.
FULL LIST:
REFEREES COMMITTEE
Mrs Faith Irabor – Chairman
Mallam Rabiu Umar – Vice Chairman
Oba James Odeniran – Member
Mr Abraham Zakowi – Member
Mallam Waziri Furo Gawe – Member
Mr. C. C. Chukwujekwu – Member
Mallam Bello Abubakar – Member
MATCH COMMISSIONERS COMMITTEE
Alh. Babagana Kalli – Chairman
Alh. Ganiyu Majekodunmi – Vice Chairman
Hon. Usman Maulud – Member
Alh. Aminu Mammaga – Member
Alh. Idris Abdullahi Thuraya – Member
Mr. Anthony Ugwu – Member
Otunba Mustapha Razaq – Member
Chief Kenneth Nwamuocha – Member
DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
Barr. J. B. C. Obikwelu – Chairman
Barr. Abdulrahman Abdulrahman – Vice Chairman
Barr. Ibrahim Mukhtar – Member
Barr. Wole Ademoyegun – Member
Barr. Bello Galadi – Member
APPEALS COMMITTEE
Barr. Gandi Umar Mohammed (mni) – Chairman
Barr. Martin Usen Effiong – Vice Chairman
Barr. Bemva Akortsaha – Member
Barr. Bweino Dauda – Member
Barr. Bukar Muazu – Member
