Yola presents two-year programme to revive Nigerian football

Chief of Staff to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Abba Abdullahi Yola, on Wednesday, unveiled a two-year programme, which he said he would implement to change the fortunes of the country’s football if elected president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Declaring his intension to contest the NFF presidency in Abuja, Yola said he would sponsor a motion to pass a vote of no confidence on his leadership if he failed to fulfill his promise when elected as NFF president.

Yola, who was the senior assistant on technical issues to former Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), the late Alhaji Bala Ka’oje, as well as chairman of Kano Pillars FC of Kano, said he would appoint more deputy secretaries to help the secretary general, saying that such deputies would be sent to head the various 18 Federation’s standing committees to ensure smooth administration of football.

Also speaking on his campaign to succeed Amaju Pinnick as NFF president, on Wednesday, former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper and Media Officer, Peterside Idah, said he would establish a world-class football centre at the national level if he becomes the country’s number one football administrator.

He said the country is at an interesting time in its football history, adding that it calls for ‘revolutionary’ decisions and solutions.

He said: “A revolution is coming to Nigerian football and that revolution can only be achieved when the Federation has an honest and upright leader. Integrity has always been a mantra for me, I will execute my responsibilities as president with probity and due diligence and ensure that as NFF executives, we are accountable to the millions of football-loving Nigerians, who want to see this Federation succeed.

“If I become NFF president, I will propose and undertake to establish a world-class football centre at the national level, like Morocco’s Mohammed V1 football centre that features world-class equipment and accommodation designed to develop high-achieving football stars.

“Women’s football will be given the priority it deserves. I will work towards galvanising the women’s league by not only increasing the prize money for the eventual winners of the league, but also actively seeking for sponsorship for teams that are struggling to maintain their status in the league.”

He noted Nigeria’s football history is either progressing from good to great or sliding back into mediocrity, saying, “with the right kind of interventions that I plan to put in place as president of the Federation, we will see the organisation of football in this country change dramatically for the better.

“Our country has a rich history as a strong football nation and I aim to restore that pride and success, growing the game effectively at all levels, from youth/grassroots right up to high performance, national team’s levels, for both men and women, while bringing back the passion, the support our beloved fans are known for and increase our fan base through innovative solutions.”