By Joy Odor
My intention into the Glass House of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is to creat an inclusive vibrant and efficient Football, ecosystem beginning at the grass roots to develop a sustainable national football culture, provide pathway to success and fully exploit the Nigeria entrepreneurial spirit.
The first Vice-President of NFF, Barrister Sheyi Akinwumi made this known while declaring his intention to contest for the President of the NFF in September 30 elections.
Akinwumi urged the stakeholders to always put football first in all their dealings.
He vowed to devolutionalise football administration in the country by empowering the state football associations (FA) and local government football councils to address the steady decline of football at the grassroots level while the federation focuses on national football politics.
Akinwumi promised to lead the NFF to a new dawn with infrastructure development, focus on grassroot football, women game and bringing in a lot of dynamism into running of football in the country as Nigeria football need a brighter future.
He also said his vision is to transform Nigeria into an epitome of football development using meritocracy, professionalism, technology, creativity, transparency and education.
”I guarantee changes. I have a vision and template of how to develop football in the country. Football runs in my veins since my childhood days.
I want to be NFF president because it must be somebody who understand and actually invest his time ,energy in development of grassroot football. We will give local football the necessary funding it deserves.
Our relationship with the government is also key. We will maintain a partnership with the government,” he said.
Anambra FA Chairman, Chikelue Iloenyosi, in his goodwill message urged the stakeholders to come together and vote for a man of integrity which Akinwumi epitomizes.
Contributing, Danladi Bako implored the stakeholders to rally round Akinwumi as the ‘most credible candidate’ seeking for the position.
Akinwunmi, who has described the forthcoming NFF elections as not a do or die affair is seen by many stakeholders as a perfect candidate to help reposition Nigeria’s football and restore the country’s glory in the round leather games.
