Orkula Shaagee
22 July 2011
The Nigeria Football Federation and stakeholders in the Nigeria football industry yesterday resolved to end their three months old crisis to allow for the development of the game in the country.
The parties at a joint meeting with the Minister of Sports, Yusuf Suleiman also agreed to withdraw all pending cases in court, as well as refrain from further taking football matters to regular courts.
Announcing the decisions to reporters in Abuja yesterday, the parties also informed that a committee will be set up to reform the administration of the nation’s football.
Leader of football stakeholders’ forum Jarret Tenebe, who also read the communiqué to reporters, explained that they have agreed to sheath their swords because the minister has shown genuine commitment and sincerity towards bringing about lasting peace and solution to the crisis.
“Following the intervention of the Hon. Minister of Sports and subsequent meetings with representative members of the NFA (NFF) Executive Board and other stakeholders, led by Jarret Tenebe, the meeting resolved that all agreed to the need for peace to prevail as a pre-requisite football development.
“That there is need to reform football administration in the country and therefore to start the process by the constitution of a committee made up of Nigerians of high standing in the society in which NFA (NFF) and the stakeholders shall nominate one representative each.
“That all parties are to withdraw any pending legal matter in the court and subsequently refrain from taking football matters to court; and the NFA (NFF) should as a matter of urgency, put machineries in motion to reconcile the Nigerian players union in the interest and welfare of our footballers”, it stated.
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