President Jonathan receives Pinnick, pledges support for football

By Albert Akota

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday ongratulated the new president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick on his ascendancy, and assured that the Federal Government would afford even ore support to Nigeria football.

In a meeting at the Presidential Villa, also attended by Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the sports loving Nigeria’s number one man charged Pinnick and his new executive committee to work extra hard at driving Nigeria football to new heights. “I congratulate you on your coming into office, but it means a lot of work. You have to invest a lot of energy into building on past successes and reaching new heights. You can count on the support of the Government. “However, I m even more motivated by your pledge to seek greater support from Corporate Nigeria. You know very well how much our people love the game of football, and it is now your responsibility to work really hard to see how our people can derive greater joy from watching the National Teams play.” Speaking earlier, the NFF president heaped plaudits on President Jonathan for his keen love for support for Nigeria football, which has been amply demonstrated over the years.

“Mr. President, on behalf of the Nigeria football family, I wish to express deep appreciation to Your Excellency and your administration for the huge support that has been given to Nigeria football and the National Teams over the years. You have indeed been Nigeria football’s Number One Supporter for several years now. “We remember Your Excellency’s tremendous efforts, then as Vice President, to ensure that Nigeria hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in 2009. Since then, Your Excellency has never looked back.”