- Enyeama, Mikel, Ojeikere, Udom Emmanuel contest for honours
The nominees for the 4th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards are now known, after SIAO
Partners Limited, the collating and verification firm, released the results to the Nigeria
Football Federation.
In a letter to the NFF President dated 11th May 2017, and signed by the Managing Partner,
Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, the auditing firm explained that the voting was done by Nigeria
sports editors/managers across the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, between 5th –
23rd April 2017.
“The votes were collated and verified by our team of Auditors. We pride ourselves as one
of the best accounting and audit firms operating in Nigeria. We have approached this
collation process with extreme care and with the standard professional ethics required to
sustain the core values of transparency, credibility and integrity. We therefore take
professional responsibility for the integrity of the results presented,” stated the letter
from SIAO.
There are 18 categories in all, with three nominees for each category. Three –time FIFA
World Cup star Vincent Enyeama tops the Goalkeeper of the Year category, while France –
based striker Desire Oparanozie leads two other Super Falcons in the race for Queen of the
Pitch, and NPFL Club, FC IfeanyiUbah owner, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is nominated for the
Sam Okwaraji Award, alongside Super Eagles’ captain John Mikel Obi and Nigeria’s 2016
Olympic Team Head Coach, Samson Siasia.
Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel is nominated for Football Friendly Governor of the
Year alongside Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos and Ezenwo Nyesom Wike of Rivers, while Ferdinand
Aniete Udoh leads the Referee of the Year category that also has FIFA Beach Soccer World
Cup veteran Jelili Ogunmuyiwa and Adebimpe Quadri.
Ade Ojeikere, group sports editor of The Nation newspapers is in the race for Football
Journalist of the Year (Print) while Mozez Praiz of SuperSport heads the race for Football
Journalist of the Year (TV).
The 4th Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony comes up in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State on
Saturday, 10th June 2017, hours after the Nigeria/South Africa 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
qualifying match of the same day.
NOMINEES
Goalkeeper of the Year: Vincent Enyeama; Carl Ikeme; Ikechukwu Ezenwa
Defender of the Year: Leon Balogun; Kenneth Omeruo; William Ekong
Midfielder of the Year: John Mikel Obi; Etebo Oghenekaro; Wilfred Ndidi
Striker of the Year: Chisom Egbuchulam; Godwin Obaje; Kelechi Iheanacho
MVP (Men) In The NPFL: Godwin Obaje; Stephen Odey; Chisom Egbuchulam
MVP (Women) In The NWPL: Osinachi Ohale; Rafiat Sule; Chioma Wogu
Queen of the Pitch: Desire Oparanozie; Onome Ebi; Asisat Oshoala
King of the Pitch: Victor Moses; John Mikel Obi; Kelechi Iheanacho
Sam Okwaraji Award: Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah; Samson Siasia; John Mikel Obi
Club/Team of the Year: Super Falcons; Dream Team; Enugu Rangers
Coach of the Year: Florence Omagbemi; Gernot Rohr; Imama Amapakabo
Referee of the Year: Adebimpe Quadri; Jelili Ogunmuyiwa; Ferdinand Udoh
Corporate Sponsor of the Year: Globacom Limited; SuperSport; Nigeria Breweries PLC
State with Best Grassroots Football Development Program: Delta State; Lagos State; Akwa
Ibom State
Football Friendly Governor of the Year: Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom);
Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos)
Football Journalist of the Year (Radio): Bimbo Adeola; Olawale Adigun; Arafat Aliu
Football Journalist of the Year (Print): Tobi Emmanuel; Tana Aiyejina; Ade Ojeikere
Football Journalist of the Year (TV): Mozez Praiz (SuperSport); Austin Okon-Akpan
(Channels TV); Toyin Ibitoye (Channels TV)
Saraki, Dogara heap plaudits on Pinnick
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara are the latest eminent figures to congratulate NFF
President Amaju Pinnick on his recent elevation in global football administration.
In a letter that he personally signed and addressed to NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed
Sanusi, Nigeria’s number three man, Saraki wrote: “On behalf of the Senate and the
National Assembly, I extend warmest compliments to you and the Nigeria Football Federation
(NFF).
“I wish to also congratulate the NFF on the election of its President, Mr. Amaju Melvin
Pinnick into the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football and his
earlier appointment as a Member of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions.
“We commend Mr. Amaju Pinnick for his valuable contributions to the development of sports
in Nigeria.”
In his own letter, Rt. Hon. Dogara wrote, inter alia: “This is a testimony not only of
your commitment, dedication and professionalism in the administration of our football
sector but also the recognition of Nigeria as a big player in international football.
“I have no doubt in my mind that you will add value through this appointment by creating
sustainable progressive change in the Committees both at CAF and FIFA levels.”
Pinnick was also last week appointed the President of both the Organizing Committee for
the Africa Cup of Nations and the CAF Media Committee.
