Galadima begins reconciliation process, solicits support
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Ayo Akinfe
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Galadima begins reconciliation process, solicits support
Galadima begins reconciliation process, solicits support
By Eno Abasi Sunday
STILL savouring the nod given his re-election by world football governing body (FIFA), Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima has begun the process of extending the olive branch to aggrieved stakeholders with a view to resolving all contentious issues.
Galadima who dedicated the victory at the FIFA's "court" to all football lovers in Nigeria, insisted that he did not begrudge all those who were up against him, adding that their action has to do with the passion they have for the game.
The Kano-born businessman has been in the eye of the storm ever since he won re-election as chairman of the NFA board, a couple of months back.
Consequently, some stakeholders who were displeased with the outcome of the elections got the Ministry of Sports to annul the elections, which were held in Galadima's home state.
The climax of the power play between the ministry and some stakeholders on the one hand, and the new board on the other, was the refusal by the Egyptian embassy to grant Galadima visa to their country for the recently ended African Cup of the Nations. Worried about the turnout of events in the Nigeria football circle, which included the sack of all NFA workers that were in Kano and the sealing off of the NFA secretariat popularly known as "Glass House," FIFA decided to step in to resolve the impasse in the interest of football in the country.
However, reacting to the decision by the world soccer governing body to uphold his re-election, Galadima described the victory as a victory for the Nigerian people who are football lovers, and who shared the pains while the crisis lasted.
Said Galadima: "What just happened (upholding of the victory) is not victory for me, it is victory for the Nigerian people who love football with a passion".
Still talking about the election which has been described as the freest and fairest in the history of Nigerian football, the chairman said "with this decision by FIFA, the game of football in Nigeria is back on track, and the process of reconciling the faction has also begun".
"Before the end of this week, I will reach out to all the aggrieved parties, as a way of extending our hand of fellowship to them. The football family cannot continue to remain factionalised, instead all hands must be on deck now that the elections have been adjudged free and fair by FIFA," he stated.
The two-time chairman of the board who deplored the negative effect of the infamous Decree 101 on the administration of football in Nigeria, said NFA is not aversed to being supervised by the Ministry of Sports, but the authority exerted over NFA should be in tandem with the dictates of the world soccer governing body (FIFA).
He decried a situation where the ministry that should have served as an arbiter in a matter involving NFA and stakeholders turned itself into a party in the crisis.
Even though he maintained that the damaged caused by the dispute was great and would take a long time for the wounds to heal, he nevertheless expressed hope that "it is not an impossible task for us to accomplish. We need to reach out to the aggrieved parties as we don't have any other quarters to go to since FIFA is the last bus stop".
He thanked Nigerians for their understanding while the crisis lasted, soliciting their support now that matters have reached a head.
"I want to express my gratitude to Nigerians for following the matter step by step. It shows how passionate they are about football. We will endeavour to make them happy in the days ahead," the chairman stated.
On the super Eagles performance in the recently concluded continental fiesta, he commended the team for their feat, saying they performed fairly well considering the situation that prevailed at home prior and during the competition.
"We are now going to focus a lot of attention on youth development programmes. The blend of the young and old players that you find in the team will continue as we try to build a good team for Ghana 2008, as well as set the stage for South Africa 2010 World Cup".
© 2003 - 2006 @ Guardian Newspapers Limited (All Rights Reserved).
By Eno Abasi Sunday
STILL savouring the nod given his re-election by world football governing body (FIFA), Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima has begun the process of extending the olive branch to aggrieved stakeholders with a view to resolving all contentious issues.
Galadima who dedicated the victory at the FIFA's "court" to all football lovers in Nigeria, insisted that he did not begrudge all those who were up against him, adding that their action has to do with the passion they have for the game.
The Kano-born businessman has been in the eye of the storm ever since he won re-election as chairman of the NFA board, a couple of months back.
Consequently, some stakeholders who were displeased with the outcome of the elections got the Ministry of Sports to annul the elections, which were held in Galadima's home state.
The climax of the power play between the ministry and some stakeholders on the one hand, and the new board on the other, was the refusal by the Egyptian embassy to grant Galadima visa to their country for the recently ended African Cup of the Nations. Worried about the turnout of events in the Nigeria football circle, which included the sack of all NFA workers that were in Kano and the sealing off of the NFA secretariat popularly known as "Glass House," FIFA decided to step in to resolve the impasse in the interest of football in the country.
However, reacting to the decision by the world soccer governing body to uphold his re-election, Galadima described the victory as a victory for the Nigerian people who are football lovers, and who shared the pains while the crisis lasted.
Said Galadima: "What just happened (upholding of the victory) is not victory for me, it is victory for the Nigerian people who love football with a passion".
Still talking about the election which has been described as the freest and fairest in the history of Nigerian football, the chairman said "with this decision by FIFA, the game of football in Nigeria is back on track, and the process of reconciling the faction has also begun".
"Before the end of this week, I will reach out to all the aggrieved parties, as a way of extending our hand of fellowship to them. The football family cannot continue to remain factionalised, instead all hands must be on deck now that the elections have been adjudged free and fair by FIFA," he stated.
The two-time chairman of the board who deplored the negative effect of the infamous Decree 101 on the administration of football in Nigeria, said NFA is not aversed to being supervised by the Ministry of Sports, but the authority exerted over NFA should be in tandem with the dictates of the world soccer governing body (FIFA).
He decried a situation where the ministry that should have served as an arbiter in a matter involving NFA and stakeholders turned itself into a party in the crisis.
Even though he maintained that the damaged caused by the dispute was great and would take a long time for the wounds to heal, he nevertheless expressed hope that "it is not an impossible task for us to accomplish. We need to reach out to the aggrieved parties as we don't have any other quarters to go to since FIFA is the last bus stop".
He thanked Nigerians for their understanding while the crisis lasted, soliciting their support now that matters have reached a head.
"I want to express my gratitude to Nigerians for following the matter step by step. It shows how passionate they are about football. We will endeavour to make them happy in the days ahead," the chairman stated.
On the super Eagles performance in the recently concluded continental fiesta, he commended the team for their feat, saying they performed fairly well considering the situation that prevailed at home prior and during the competition.
"We are now going to focus a lot of attention on youth development programmes. The blend of the young and old players that you find in the team will continue as we try to build a good team for Ghana 2008, as well as set the stage for South Africa 2010 World Cup".
© 2003 - 2006 @ Guardian Newspapers Limited (All Rights Reserved).
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Ayo Akinfe
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FIFA demands abrogation of Decree 101
Posted to the Web: Monday, February 20, 2006
World soccer governing body FIFA has demanded the repeal of the obnoxious Decree 101 on the heels of their endorsement of the NFA elections in Kano in December which returned Ibrahim Galadima as boss of the soccer association. In a letter to NFA acting secretary-general Fanny Amun and signed by FIFA secretary-general Urs Linsi, FIFA said the soccer polls of 29 December was legitimate contrary to the position of the sports ministry which had alleged countless violations of the NFA statutes.
The letter dated 17 February and copied to Amos Adamu, CAF Executive Committee member; Mustapha Fahmy, CAF Secretary-General, Nduka Irabor, chairman, electoral committee and Ibrahim Galadima, FIFA demanded that Decree 101 be repealed to allow the NFA respect the clauses of Article 17 of the FIFA statutes.
“The FIFA associations committee confirmed FIFA’s request to repeal the Decree 101 which is still in force inspite of previous commitments by Nigerian authorities to amend the legal frame work of Nigerian football, to allow the NFA respect the clauses of Article 17 of FIFA Statutes”, read the letter. The issue of the abrogation of the decree has therefore returned to the front burner.
Posted to the Web: Monday, February 20, 2006
World soccer governing body FIFA has demanded the repeal of the obnoxious Decree 101 on the heels of their endorsement of the NFA elections in Kano in December which returned Ibrahim Galadima as boss of the soccer association. In a letter to NFA acting secretary-general Fanny Amun and signed by FIFA secretary-general Urs Linsi, FIFA said the soccer polls of 29 December was legitimate contrary to the position of the sports ministry which had alleged countless violations of the NFA statutes.
The letter dated 17 February and copied to Amos Adamu, CAF Executive Committee member; Mustapha Fahmy, CAF Secretary-General, Nduka Irabor, chairman, electoral committee and Ibrahim Galadima, FIFA demanded that Decree 101 be repealed to allow the NFA respect the clauses of Article 17 of the FIFA statutes.
“The FIFA associations committee confirmed FIFA’s request to repeal the Decree 101 which is still in force inspite of previous commitments by Nigerian authorities to amend the legal frame work of Nigerian football, to allow the NFA respect the clauses of Article 17 of FIFA Statutes”, read the letter. The issue of the abrogation of the decree has therefore returned to the front burner.
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Ayo Akinfe
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Kojo, Ojidoh celebrate FIFA’s verdict
By Onochie Anibeze
Posted to the Web: Monday, February 20, 2006
•minister’s loyalists react too
One time NFA chairman Kojo Williams is among the Nigerians celebrating the verdict of FIFA, the world football governing body, whose committee Thursday dismissed allegations that the elections into the board of Nigerian FA fell short of required standard.
FIFA ruled that the Kano election that returned Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima as NFA chairman was legitimate and, therefore, should stand. Sports Minister Seidu Sambawa wanted his candidate to emerge as chairman of the FA but rather than campaign and organise for his candidate to be elected he tried to stop the Kano election and when that failed he tried to organise another election.
The matter went to FIFA who, after a marathon session Thursday ruled that the Kano election was devoid of irregularities as alleged by loyalists of the sports minister who chose to be called “stakeholders” after agreeing that identifying them with the ministry would not help their case before FIFA as the body is against government interference in administration of the game. The verdict was reached by FIFA’s Committee on National Associations that is constituted by up to 20 members from various countries.
Fanny Amun, the acting secretary of the FA, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, and Nduka Irabor, the man whose committee conducted the election were all in Zurich.
The FIFA committee members went through all documents on the election and also heard from all parties concerned. After sitting for hours, they went on break before returning to reach a final decision. Video recording of the Kano election was also tendered. And one of the things that impressed FIFA, we gathered, was the peaceful atmosphere under which the election was conducted. There was also proof that a quorum was formed.
“I am happy about the FIFA verdict,” Kojo, a member of one of FIFA committees said at the weekend. “I feel satisfied because the verdict will help Nigerian football. There had been so much politics in Nigerian football and I have been a victim of it. I was removed as FA chairman because of dirty politics and some of the people are still there pulling our football back.
"When we get to a situation where the minister does no longer determine who runs the FA but football people, I think, it is a landmark in our football development. And that’s what the verdict has shown and FIFA did the right thing. They were sincere unlike some of our people who are ready to destroy our country because of selfish interests. I hope we all give peace a chance for our football to move forward. The minister can have a say on football but we must begin to accord the FA some respect and autonomy that can raise standards in the administration of the game. That is my position and deep from my heart, I am elated.”
Veteran sports administrator Chief John Ojidoh was emotional in his reaction: “I have been sick and down but this news has rejuvenated me. I was in bed when I heard the news but I have gotten out and I am strong and better now. It means my interest and that of Nigerians who are against the bad politics in our football will be renewed and we can continue our contributions to the game. I want to congratulate those who stood by the truth but most importantly I want to thank FIFA for upholding the truth. I wrote to them during this crisis and I am happy I did.”
Alhaji Gara Gombe, one of those against the Kano election said that his group will hold a meeting February 23 to find solution to the football crisis in Nigeria.
“My position is that we find a solution. FIFA has ruled and we have to respect FIFA but we should have our own way of sorting out the problems. We cannot be talking of another election anymore. The only thing is that Fanny Amun shouldn’t have been the one to represent our case before FIFA. But it is already done and we should find solution to our problems,” he said.
Adeh Lumumba, one of the chairmanship candidates who were on the side of the sports minister was reported yesterday to have said that all parties to the dispute should now bury the hatchet and respect the ruling of FIFA in order to move the game forward.
TOMORROW, NDUKA IRABOR REACTS TO VERDICT
Copyright ©1998 - 2006 Vanguard Media Limited All rights reserved.
By Onochie Anibeze
Posted to the Web: Monday, February 20, 2006
•minister’s loyalists react too
One time NFA chairman Kojo Williams is among the Nigerians celebrating the verdict of FIFA, the world football governing body, whose committee Thursday dismissed allegations that the elections into the board of Nigerian FA fell short of required standard.
FIFA ruled that the Kano election that returned Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima as NFA chairman was legitimate and, therefore, should stand. Sports Minister Seidu Sambawa wanted his candidate to emerge as chairman of the FA but rather than campaign and organise for his candidate to be elected he tried to stop the Kano election and when that failed he tried to organise another election.
The matter went to FIFA who, after a marathon session Thursday ruled that the Kano election was devoid of irregularities as alleged by loyalists of the sports minister who chose to be called “stakeholders” after agreeing that identifying them with the ministry would not help their case before FIFA as the body is against government interference in administration of the game. The verdict was reached by FIFA’s Committee on National Associations that is constituted by up to 20 members from various countries.
Fanny Amun, the acting secretary of the FA, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, and Nduka Irabor, the man whose committee conducted the election were all in Zurich.
The FIFA committee members went through all documents on the election and also heard from all parties concerned. After sitting for hours, they went on break before returning to reach a final decision. Video recording of the Kano election was also tendered. And one of the things that impressed FIFA, we gathered, was the peaceful atmosphere under which the election was conducted. There was also proof that a quorum was formed.
“I am happy about the FIFA verdict,” Kojo, a member of one of FIFA committees said at the weekend. “I feel satisfied because the verdict will help Nigerian football. There had been so much politics in Nigerian football and I have been a victim of it. I was removed as FA chairman because of dirty politics and some of the people are still there pulling our football back.
"When we get to a situation where the minister does no longer determine who runs the FA but football people, I think, it is a landmark in our football development. And that’s what the verdict has shown and FIFA did the right thing. They were sincere unlike some of our people who are ready to destroy our country because of selfish interests. I hope we all give peace a chance for our football to move forward. The minister can have a say on football but we must begin to accord the FA some respect and autonomy that can raise standards in the administration of the game. That is my position and deep from my heart, I am elated.”
Veteran sports administrator Chief John Ojidoh was emotional in his reaction: “I have been sick and down but this news has rejuvenated me. I was in bed when I heard the news but I have gotten out and I am strong and better now. It means my interest and that of Nigerians who are against the bad politics in our football will be renewed and we can continue our contributions to the game. I want to congratulate those who stood by the truth but most importantly I want to thank FIFA for upholding the truth. I wrote to them during this crisis and I am happy I did.”
Alhaji Gara Gombe, one of those against the Kano election said that his group will hold a meeting February 23 to find solution to the football crisis in Nigeria.
“My position is that we find a solution. FIFA has ruled and we have to respect FIFA but we should have our own way of sorting out the problems. We cannot be talking of another election anymore. The only thing is that Fanny Amun shouldn’t have been the one to represent our case before FIFA. But it is already done and we should find solution to our problems,” he said.
Adeh Lumumba, one of the chairmanship candidates who were on the side of the sports minister was reported yesterday to have said that all parties to the dispute should now bury the hatchet and respect the ruling of FIFA in order to move the game forward.
TOMORROW, NDUKA IRABOR REACTS TO VERDICT
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ikwerreman
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Good for him, i mean Gala
i just hope he reconciles well wwith Sambawa or else he will be crippled, funds wise
Sambawa, i hear from sources is a sadist
i just hope he reconciles well wwith Sambawa or else he will be crippled, funds wise
Sambawa, i hear from sources is a sadist
I just thank the Lord for Noticing me...
http://www.naijafootball247.com, http://www.wezinareports.blogspot.com
http://www.naijafootball247.com, http://www.wezinareports.blogspot.com
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Ayo Akinfe
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Sambawa is in no mood for conciliation at the moment. He is planning to appeal the Fifa decision and I gather that Galadima may not even be allowed access to the Glass House.ikwerreman wrote:Good for him, i mean Gala
i just hope he reconciles well wwith Sambawa or else he will be crippled, funds wise
Sambawa, i hear from sources is a sadist
Do you know that the minister sacked all the NFA staff who were in Kano because he saw them as supporting Galadima. The only solution might be OBJ wading into this crisis.
You see that's my problem with Nigerian journalist. The Commonwealth games is around the corners. Our athletes have not being camped neither are the foreign based given their grants to facilitate their trainings and preparation for this competition as i read somewhere this morning. None of you guys is seeing anything wrong with that and taking Sambawa or whatever he called his name is on this. Likewise other aspects of our sports is suffering because of this over-indulgence of the Minister and previous Ministers of Sports. For you guys this is normal and does not see anything wrong in this even though there are twenty-something sports under the Ministry and football is JUST BUT ONE OF THEM. I tire for you guys sha oo.ikwerreman wrote:
Good for him, i mean Gala
i just hope he reconciles well wwith Sambawa or else he will be crippled, funds wise
Sambawa, i hear from sources is a sadist
Sambawa is in no mood for conciliation at the moment. He is planning to appeal the Fifa decision and I gather that Galadima may not even be allowed access to the Glass House.
Do you know that the minister sacked all the NFA staff who were in Kano because he saw them as supporting Galadima. The only solution might be OBJ wading into this crisis.
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Ayo Akinfe
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We are together on this. I have accused the Nigerian sports journalists on this forum of complicity. They are failing the Nigerian public.azuka wrote:
You see that's my problem with Nigerian journalist. The Commonwealth games is around the corners. Our athletes have not being camped neither are the foreign based given their grants to facilitate their trainings and preparation for this competition as i read somewhere this morning. None of you guys is seeing anything wrong with that and taking Sambawa or whatever he called his name is on this. Likewise other aspects of our sports is suffering because of this over-indulgence of the Minister and previous Ministers of Sports. For you guys this is normal and does not see anything wrong in this even though there are twenty-something sports under the Ministry and football is JUST BUT ONE OF THEM. I tire for you guys sha oo.
We have at least six sports journalists on this forum. None of them has seen it fit to raise any of these important questions.
He has to start somewhere right? And what the money allocated for football in this year's budget be used for. I guess you guys are happier with Sambawa using our money to sponsor his girlfriends to Egypt rather than Galadima using it for what it is meant for. And on the side you have Fanny Amu running the NFA as if it is his personal empire and nothing is wrong with that. Sometimes it is hard not to give up on Nigeria and Nigerians really.the problem is that Galadima may rely so much on govt fund.
he should rent his own office, hire his own staff and start work.
he has gotten the autonomy and he should not expect sambawa to fold his hands and watch him.
he must generate his own money to work.
azuka,
from day we know that there is no way FIFA will not recgnise Gala.
the point i am making is that he should not try to talk the minster into giving him money.
let me tell you what happened to basketball federation when they hosted africa sometime in dec.
buba gyan, the president went to sambawa to tell him that the money released for the championship should be given to him to orgainse the tournament.
but sambawa refused to release any money.
gyan went and solicited for his money and generated 51 million naira.
he not only hosted the tournament but nigeria won without govt one kobo.
after the torunament, sambawa openly apologised that he did not realeased the money meant for the competition.
so gala should start something now and get going.
the point is that money is meant to be given to nfa but the sports ministry will say a lot before they released it.
so gala should get his money and then begin to work to turn around the fortunes of the game in the country.
from day we know that there is no way FIFA will not recgnise Gala.
the point i am making is that he should not try to talk the minster into giving him money.
let me tell you what happened to basketball federation when they hosted africa sometime in dec.
buba gyan, the president went to sambawa to tell him that the money released for the championship should be given to him to orgainse the tournament.
but sambawa refused to release any money.
gyan went and solicited for his money and generated 51 million naira.
he not only hosted the tournament but nigeria won without govt one kobo.
after the torunament, sambawa openly apologised that he did not realeased the money meant for the competition.
so gala should start something now and get going.
the point is that money is meant to be given to nfa but the sports ministry will say a lot before they released it.
so gala should get his money and then begin to work to turn around the fortunes of the game in the country.
To contibute my quota
The truth is we the fans DONT want Galadima and we dont want decree 101 or Sambawa's stooge. We WANT a neutral man of the people who can progress our football. Galadima had over 3 years at the helm in which period our f/ball was ruined. We now know that They are all fighting for their pockets and estacodes. OUT GALADIMA OUT SAMBAWA OUT DECREE 101. 
our future is in our hands
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Ayo Akinfe
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Having Galadima is the price we have to pay for getting rid of government interferance. I would settle for that compromise anyday.goldfeet2 wrote:The truth is we the fans DONT want Galadima and we dont want decree 101 or Sambawa's stooge. We WANT a neutral man of the people who can progress our football. Galadima had over 3 years at the helm in which period our f/ball was ruined. We now know that They are all fighting for their pockets and estacodes. OUT GALADIMA OUT SAMBAWA OUT DECREE 101.
Sambawa's farm has apparently been ravaged by bird flu. He will be in no mood to chicken out of this fight.....get it? Chicken fight?
Ah, Bushmen,will be bushmen!!!! 
Ah, Bushmen,will be bushmen!!!!
Everyday you can choose to the happy or sad, good or bad, full of joy or filled with anger. It takes the same amount of effort to acheive either.....
Anonymous
Anonymous
Trying to eat your cake and have it.goldfeet2 wrote:The truth is we the fans DONT want Galadima and we dont want decree 101 or Sambawa's stooge. We WANT a neutral man of the people who can progress our football. Galadima had over 3 years at the helm in which period our f/ball was ruined. We now know that They are all fighting for their pockets and estacodes. OUT GALADIMA OUT SAMBAWA OUT DECREE 101.
Like Mr Dolly has chronicled here many times, I know experienced and savvy marketing can fetch at half of the budget of the NFA.
TOUCH NOT MY ANOINTED...
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding...hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe
Is that really his farm?Kenovski wrote:Sambawa's farm has apparently been ravaged by bird flu. He will be in no mood to chicken out of this fight.....get it? Chicken fight?
Ah, Bushmen,will be bushmen!!!!
TOUCH NOT MY ANOINTED...
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding...hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe
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Football Manager
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They said it on NPR (National Public Radio) about 2 weeks ago when the story first broke.anointed wrote:Is that really his farm?Kenovski wrote:Sambawa's farm has apparently been ravaged by bird flu. He will be in no mood to chicken out of this fight.....get it? Chicken fight?
Ah, Bushmen,will be bushmen!!!!
Everyday you can choose to the happy or sad, good or bad, full of joy or filled with anger. It takes the same amount of effort to acheive either.....
Anonymous
Anonymous