By Tunde Eludini
The
Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has apologised for one of
the errors committed by President Muhammadu Buhari in his recent
controversial board appointments.
The appointments of
209 board chairpersons and 1,258 board members were announced on
Friday. PREMIUM TIMES reported some of the controversies surrounding the
appointments such as the inclusion of dead persons and the duplication
of same names on different boards.
The presidency on Saturday tried to explain the inclusion of the dead persons, saying the list was compiled in 2015.
However, another
gaffe made and for which the sports minister apologised is the
appointment of board members of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
By football laws, NFF board members are elected at a congress and not political appointees.
The minister called on those in the football fraternity to remain calm as efforts were being made to correct the 'oversight.'
Mr. Dalung said in a
statement that the appointment of members into the NFF board by the
federal government was an oversight, as by virtue of their statutes,
members are elected and not appointed.
"The recently
released board members of NFF is an oversight which is being sorted out.
NFF is governed by statutes and board members are elected by congress
and not appointed.
"I am appealing for
calm from all stakeholders as it was an administrative oversight.
Efforts are tailored towards addressing it very soon."
The minister also
stated that the Nigerian government and football's governing body, FIFA,
are in talks to clarify the issue and assure the football regulator
that no harm was intended.
Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung,
"I have spoken with
FIFA Secretary General over the situation in Nigeria and conveyed
federal government's commitment to uphold the governance structure of
the Nigeria football Federation.
"All efforts are on
course to liaise with CAF and FIFA on constructive engagement that the
situation may likely attract. This board of NFF under Amaju has provided
leadership but their performance is subject to a congress and not
appointment," Mr. Dalung stated.
The need for quick
reversal of the appointments into the NFF cannot be overemphasised as
FIFA frowns at government interference in football administration in
member countries.
Such interference
are often met with tough punishment; including suspension from
international football activities across the globe.
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