NFF Presidency: Abba Yola explains why he is the best candidate (Full speech)

ON A MISSION TO RESTORE NIGERIANS’ CONFIDENCE AND PRIDE IN OUR FOOTBALL AND POSITION IN GLOBAL FOOTBALL

This is to welcome you all that are here today to join me on this occasion of my declaration to contest for the office of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation of which the elections will come up on the 30th September 2022 in Benin City, Edo State.

I would like to specially recognize and welcome my mentor and elder, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, former Kano State Commissioner for Works and Sports, former Chairman of NFF, Nigeria Olympic Committee Patron and most recently, Chairman of the celebrated 10-year Football Development Plan Committee which if allowed to work side by side with the NFF Statutes will strengthen and put firmly all the grey areas in the administration of Football in Nigeria in the waste basket. The plan has also talked extensively about the election process which if followed will engender mass participation from the ward level up to the National level.   My brother and confidant is also here with us, Alhaji Aminu Magari a former NFF President.

On a special note, I want to recognize Hon. Commissioner and Chairman of Rivers State FA as well as Sole Administrator of Rivers United FC, Barr. Chris Green. By the way, he is also a Special Adviser to His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike on the Real Madrid Academy, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

I also want to recognize my brother, Barr Isaac Danladi, Chairman Nasarawa United FC and Chairman of Premier League Owners Clubs Association.

Here also is Sharu Ahlan, my distinguished FA Chairman and member of the NFF Executive Committee.

To begin with, my exploit in the sports sector dates back to some 40 years ago when I served in various capacities at Kano State Sports Council, National Sports Commission and Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development.

I have held several positions among which are-

Secretary, Kano State Amateur Basketball Association

Head of Zonal Sports Offices

Director press and protocol

Secretary, main organizing Committee of two National Sports Festivals Rivers and the Lagos States

Special Assistant Technical to the Hon. Minister of Sports/Chairman NSC.

Special Assistant to the Director, National Sports Commission

Chairman Kano Pillars FC

Presently, Chief of Staff to the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development.

As an established man who believes in absolute respect for institutions and the instruments that created such institutions, I have in strict obedience to the wordings of the NFF 2010 Statutes and respect for the Congress as the Supreme Authority written earlier to all the Congress men and women conveying my greetings and desire to vie for the Office of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation in the forthcoming coming elections.

Knowing fully well the huge responsibility placed on them, I cannot but plead once again with them to do the needful when the time comes with a view to electing the best and most competent candidate to lead the Nigeria Football Federation in the next dispensation.

On my part, it is a promise that the Supremacy of the Congress will be protected and allowed to play its statutory role at all times without any influence from me and or the Exco. It is also my desire to see that Nigeria Football is placed at par with other successful footballing Countries.

Meeting the expectation of Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora in terms of achievements is a task on my priority list.

People say Nigerians always want to win in all situations and do not want to lose. To me, this is right as no serious Nation and its people will accept, honour, and reward failure, especially in the areas where the records of DOMINANCE have been asserted to the admiration and applause of all.

The administration of football in Nigeria has gone through some good, turbulent and rough times. In these turbulent and rough times, we had a lot of takeaways, while in good times we all go home in celebration mood and praises.

The takeaways resulting from those turbulent and rough times have been very sour. It is the understanding and resolve of Nigerians that a new driver is needed to bring back those takeaways of good times and remove that sour taste from our mouths.

Nigeria Football is fortunate to have in the last 3 years two comprehensive documents that could serve as solution to our football problems.

The NFF Reform Committee Report

The 10 year master plan

With these, the NFF Statute and a robust Exco and understanding Congress, I ask for 2 years and I will change and enhance the fortunes of Nigeria football to an enviable pole position that will be the pride of Nigerians for all times, and if I do not do that I will move a motion to pass a vote of no confidence on the President.

Several factors have come to play in the dwindling fortunes in our football and to me the factors are non-other than abandonment of due adherence to the provisions of the NFF 2010 Statute by its operators.

I want to assure Nigerians that, I will if given the chance look at the following which are captured by the 2010 Statute under Article 42 to 60 (Standing Committees). The Statute provided for 18 standing Committees, their composition and function.

The Statute is clear and unambiguous on how the Committees will be constituted and their operational guidelines. Our challenges basically revolve around the recognition by the Executive Board of the importance attached to strictly, following the wording/provisions of Article (42-60).

For those that may be wondering what are those Committees follow here:

Article 42 Standing Committees

Finance Committee

Internal Audit Committee

Organizing Committee for NFF Competition

Technical and Development Committee

Referees’ Committee

Legal Committee

Women’s Football Committee

Youth Football Committee

Futsal/Beach Soccer Committee

Sports Medical Committee

Players Status Committee

Committee for Ethics and Fair play

Media Committee

Football Committee

Strategic Standing Committee

Marketing, Sponsorship, and Television Advisory Committee

Protocol and Ceremonial Committee

Security Committee

Running or administering a successful Nigeria Football Federation is all encapsulated under these 18 Standing Committees. Nothing has been left out, so my major task within the first six months would be to get the Executive Committee to see the reason why we must get it right by strictly following what the Statute provided for especially in terms of composition. Doing that will give the new Board a fresh start that will lead to establishing transparency in spending and management. Only identified Nigerians with prerequisite credentials from among the Executive Committee and other stakeholders will be appointed into those Committees.

From there I would move to chart and usher in a new breath of life to the Secretariat for effective and seamless service delivery, and free bureaucratic business.

Currently, we have the General Secretary who is the Chief Accounting officer with only one Deputy. For a country like Nigeria, this arrangement does not reflect and adequately represent our administrative acumen and position in the Continent. The Secretariat will be opened to accommodate more senior officers with well-defined roles and functions.

The 18 standing Committees will be headed by Deputy Secretary Generals; this will see to the performance of those Committees more effectively and will be well monitored by their respective departments.

Distinguished audience, I have deliberately made a speech at this occasion that looks like a coded one. It was a strategy to keep the better side until when it is most needed and that is when you are face to face with the Congress that will decide the fate of Nigeria Football.

Finally, we are all aware that the process of succession in Nigeria Football has always been problematic, resulting in accusations, which has often culminated in threat of sanctions by FIFA. This time around we can all go to sleep with our eyes closed as the right thing has been done. I cannot therefore finish this declaration without commending outgoing Amaju Pinnick Exco and the Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation for starting a sound transition process which if sincerely adhered to will see Nigeria leading others and being celebrated as a true Giant of Africa at the end of the exercise.

I want to seize this opportunity to thank members of the press for their kindness and support since I started working as a small Sports officer under the late Babayo Shehu (May his soul continue to rest in peace, Ameen). As partners, together we shall strive to ensure that we run a Football Federation that will be the pride of the Nation In Sha Allah.

May God be with all of us as we travel back to our respective destinations.

God bless Nigeria and our President.

Ameen.