Pinnick promises to run inclusive administration

By Albert Akota

The president elect of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Melvin Pinnick has pledge to reconcile with all aggrieved individuals and parties in the coming days with a focus on running an inclusive administration in the best interest of the Nigeria game.

Pinnick Amaju in his first speech after his election admitted that he was just coming to terms with the huge responsibility of being Nigeria’s football supremo, but insisted that extensive experience garnered over the years as Executive Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Chairman of Delta State Football Association and top gun in the hosting of several major competitions in Delta State and nationally will stand him in good stead.

“I am finally coming to terms with being the President of Nigeria Football Federation, which entails so much responsibility. But apart from invaluable experience down the years, more than one-decade-and-half, and with the quality of persons who are on board with me, we will succeed.

“As I said on Tuesday night, we have people with tremendous capacity on the new Executive Committee. I am happy about that. I am also happy about the fact that we are all agreed that we must have a cordial relationship with the supervising National Sports Commission, which represents the Government.”

Pinnick won Tuesday’s contest for the presidential position with a landslide in the second round, garnering 32 votes against ex –international and former Board Member Dominic Iorfa’s eight, and former General Secretary and former Board Member Taiwo Ogunjobi’s four.

He also reiterated on Wednesday that he is ready to meet with all persons who have issues to discuss, and would also meet with relevant organisations and institutions that are in position to offer assistance to help the new team realize its goal of taking Nigeria football to new heights.

“I stated clearly on Tuesday night that we will not exclude anyone who has something to contribute. We intend to bring the entire family together again because we know that it is only with peace and tranquility that we can achieve our objectives.”

President of world football –governing body, FIFA, Mr. Sepp Blatter on Wednesday sent a letter of congratulations to the new NFF President, saying that he (Blatter) is looking forward to meeting with him and supporting him and his new board towards ensuring stable development of the beautiful game in Nigeria.