The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare has tasked Nigerian sportsmen and women to emulate the fallen patriot Samuel Okwaraji who slumped to his death, exactly thirty-three years ago.
Okwaraji was in action for the senior men’s national soccer team, the Green Eagles, as they were called then, in a 1990 World Cup qualifying game against Angola inside the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos when he slumped and died.
The Sports Minister says, “Okwaraji’s commitment to Nigeria and sacrifice anytime he was on the pitch in our green and white is a lesson on patriotism.
“We will always remember him for his zeal and service to Nigeria and sadly the way he died defending our national colours.
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“This is a challenge to every one of us, administrators and active sportsmen and women to always put this nation first in all we do,” the Minister said
As a way of appreciating Samuel Okwaraji, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development placed his mother, Lady Janet Okwaraji on a monthly support stipend until she passed on in 2020.
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RIP Sam Okwaraji
NFF writes FIFA, seeks tenure elongation for Pinnick….
By Adejayan Gbenga Gsong ……..
The Pinnick-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has written to the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), seeking for more time before the elections of the body will take place.
In a letter sent to the world body on Wednesday August 9 and signed by General Secretary, Muhhamed Sanusi, the outgoing board appealed to the world body to allow it to hold the forthcoming election next year’s January instead next month September.
It was learnt that the letter was already sent to FIFA before the NFF topshots informed the board members in an online platform of the federation.
The plan is to read the FIFA response at the AGA expected to take place next week in Bayelsa State.
A source disclosed that the members were irked that a few people on the board took such a decision without informing others from the beginning and they are hoping to use the response to extend their tenure at the Annual General Assembly scheduled for August 16 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
“It is indeed a taboo. Rather than get the consent of the board members and the Congress before sending the letter to FIFA, the letter was sent.
“There is no doubt, a few people at the top echelon of the current board want to remain in office beyond the September date,” our source revealed.
There is a tentative date of August 16 for the AGA in Bayelsa and another date of September 21 for the elective Congress in a yet to be decided venue but it is clear the current board is reluctant to leave office.
“The majority of the board members are resolute to take out this current leadership for so many reasons especially because many of them were never informed about crucial decisive issues in the administration of the game,” our source added.
Make una come see o. Obviously, Picnick does not want to go quietly…..