NFA begs Kwara Gov. for support

The new Omachi-Attah of Igalaland was speaking at a meeting with the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki in Lagos, declared that the power of football all over the world should never be doubted. Since this administration came into office, we have always realized that our mandate is to use the game of football to build a sparkling new image for Nigeria in the international arena. And that, we have always pursued with vigour", said Lulu Abdullahi.

Abdullahi, who was in the company of Secretary General, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, Finance director Musbau Kayode, Chief Media officer Ademola Olajire and Special Assistant to the FA Chairman, Tunde Aderibigbe, told Governor Saraki how much he had been wanting to meet him as a result of the governor’s avowed devotion and love for football, his commitment of huge financial resourses in the sponsorship of Premier League club, Kwara United and the Football College of Excellence, and Saraki’s excellent role of hosting CAF President Issa Hayatou when the latter visited Nigeria to collect a Honorary Doctorate degree from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho last month.

"You showed great leadership quality in hosting Alhaji Issa Hayatou and the man is very happy with this country". Lulu Abdullahi explained to Governor Saraki that despite being such a big deal in international image-moulding, Nigeria football does not get enough money to run its programmes.

"Last year, we made an estimate of over N3 Billion but got about N600 Million from the Federal Government and another N400 Million from our sponsors. We managed but it was always tight for us. This year, we have made a budget of over N6 Billion out of which we are being allocated about N1.2 Billion, and we can get N600 Million from our various sponsors, which means we would not have more than N1.8 Billion.

"That is the reason we are appealing to the State Governments, through Your Excellency, who is the Chairman of the Governor’s Forum, to come to our assistance one way or the other, and also to mobilize the citizenry in their different States, to continue to support Nigeria teams taking part in international championships, with all their passion, zeal and good wishes", said the NFA boss.

"We have so many events to take part in next year, and as a result of our leadership role in Africa football, we cannot shy away from any of these programmes. And the present NFA leadership wants us to continue to be the best in Africa, and also to climb up in the world. This means that we must continually motivate our players and officials to achieve better results".

Responding, the youthful State Chief Executive admitted knowing that football requires huge funding, and that the Federal Government certainly has other areas of concentration.

"Football has a huge impact for the nation’s image, and we must always be ready to spend as much money on football as we spend on image-building programmes.

"You don’t need to tell me, that will be like preaching to a convert. I know how much it costs to run football. But whatever we spend is worth it – no other single project has as much impact on a nation’s image as sport, especially football. Surely, we must find a way to assist the NFA in its loaded programme of activities for 2008".