Nigeria: NFF Backs Blatter for Third Term Tenebe, Gombe, Jalla Get Life Ban

David Ngobua

25 May 2011

For his tremendous works in development of the game in Africa and globally, the Goal Projects from which all National Associations worldwide continue to benefit and his pledge to increase grants to National Associations, and to make the administration of the game more open and fight corruption, FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter has earned the support of the Nigeria Football Federation for his third term ambition.

This was contained in the communiqué issued yesterday after an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of the football federation held in Abuja.

The Executive Committee assured the president of the world’s football governing body of its unflinching support in the FIFA Presidential election coming up in Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday, June 1.

The communiqué reads in part: “That the Nigeria Football Federation will support the incumbent, Mr. Joseph Sepp Blatter, in the FIFA Presidential Election coming up in Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday, 1st June, 2011, for his tremendous works in development of the game in Africa and globally, the Goal Projects from which all National Associations worldwide continue to benefit and his pledge to increase grants to National Associations, and to make the administration of the game more open and fight corruption”.

In addition, the committee unanimously placed a life ban on Jarreth Tenebe, Shauibu Gara-Gombe, Harrison Jalla, Chikelue Iloenyosi amd Olajide Fashikun from taking part in all football related activities within the nation, Nigeria “for their ignonimous roles in trying to truncate the programmes of the NFF and the overall footballing interests of the country”.

The Committee equally commended Messrs Felix Owolabi, Emmanuel Okala, Sani Usman and Tajudeen Disu for dissociating themselves from the illegal move by the aforementioned persons in their bid to float a parallel football governing body.

The committee therefore resolved to approach the National Assembly to quickly assist in fast-tracking the process for the change of name from Nigeria Football Association to Nigeria Football Federation.

Meanwhile, the NFF Executive Committee called on Nigerians to turn out en masse at the National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 28th May, 2011 for the Inauguration Match of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR between CAF Champions League campaigners Enyimba FC and Kano Pillars, which will kick off at 6pm.

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