BY BENEDICT NWACHUKWU, ABUJA
First vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Chairman, Lagos State Football Association, Seyi Akinwunmi, has declared his intention to run for the office of president in the forthcoming Nigeria Football Federation election billed for next month.
Akinwunmi seeks to
succeed his principal and incumbent president of NFF, Amaju Melvic Pinnick, whose second term in office ends in September 2022.
Unveiling his presidential ambition before the gathering of FA chairmen, serving and past executive committee members of NFF, club owners, players, sports journalists and other stakeholders at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja on Tuesday, Akinwunmi promised to make Nigeria’s football great again if given the opportunity to govern the country’s football during the forthcoming NFF elective congress slated for Benin.
Akinwunmi, who listed his plans for Nigeria football, if elected NFF president, said he is in the race to reset the country’s football and transform Nigeria into an epitome of football development using meritocracy, professionalism, technology, creativity, transparency and education.
“My administration will create an inclusive, vibrant and efficient football ecosystem beginning with the grassroots to develop a sustainable national football culture, provide pathways to success and exploit the Nigerian entrepreneurial spirit.
“I intend to achieve my vision and action plans for Nigeria’s football upliftment through four key growth drivers – development, business of football , infrastructure and technology.”
Frowning at the gross mismanagement of public funds he promised to run a transparent administration accountable to people, adding that he will ensure funds are appropriated and channeled for the right use.
The renowned lawyer and sports administrator vowed to devolutionalise football administration in the country by empowering the state football associations (FA) and local government football councils to address the steady downfall of football at the grassroots level while the NFF will focus on national football politics.
Akinwunmi said he wants to be president because he believes the next president of NFF should be a person that will invest in grassroots football and ensure a viable football ecosystem for schools and private sector grassroots leagues in each state and zone to grow the game from bottom to up.
He added that he will use his experience as the vice president of the NFF in the last eight years to enthrone an all-inclusive administration that ushers a new era for the game.
“I am coming to restore those glorious days when Nigeria used to be respected in the comity of football playing nations in Africa and the world.
“I will give priority to grassroots development so as to find replacement for the aging players so that no gap will be left in the process of growing the sport again,” he said.
He also said he will focus on a good marketing drive to support the various national teams and club sides both for local and international competitions.
