The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick has been elected into the Executive Council of FIFA.
Mr. Pinnick was elected at the just concluded Confederation of African Football (CAF) 43rd General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco, on Friday.
Amaju’s success followed the withdrawals of other contestants from the race before the election.
The withdrawn candidates were:
- Lamine Bajo of Gambia,
- Nicholas Mwendwa of Kenya,
- Wallace Karia of Tanzania, and,
- Andrew Kamanga of Zambia.
Following their withdrawals, only Pinnick and the incumbent, Walter Nyamilandu were left.
Pinnick was also elected into the FIFA Council – the highest decision-making organ in world football.
He attained the exalted seat after defeating his only rival, incumbent Walter Nyamilandu of Malawi by 43 votes to 8 at the Congress held inside the Royal Ballroom of the Sofitel Hotel in Morocco’s administrative capital.
General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi casted Nigeria’s vote.
Pinnick became the fifth CAF Vice-President after Augustin Senghor (first Vice-President), Ahmed Yahya (second Vice- President), Souleiman Waberi (third Vice-President), and Fouzi Lekjaa (fourth Vice-President).
Read more here:
https://news.band/motsepe-elected-caf-new-president-infantino-hails-african-team-spirit/
Additional report by NFF:
“It is a remarkable case of rapid global football boardroom upliftment for a man who, a little over six-and-half years ago, had no intention of contesting for even board membership of the Nigeria Football Federation, but has now been in the post for six-and-half years (becoming the first person to democratically secure a second term), won election as Member of the CAF Executive Committee, served as CAF’s 1st Vice President, still serving as Member of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions, and now a revered member of the world’s highest decision-making organ for football.
“Pinnick’s entry into the 37-member FIFA Council came at the 43rd Ordinary and Elective General Assembly of CAF, and was accomplished hours after the man he supported for the CAF Presidency.
“The elevation is for a four-year term, and automatically makes Pinnick a Member of the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football.
“A man who sets and pursues his vision doggedly, Pinnick thus becomes only the third Nigerian to serve in world football’s highest decision-making body, after the late Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo and Dr Amos Adamu.
“The quest by the suave and effervescent football administrator for the seat was solidly backed by the Government of Nigeria, which delegation, led by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Nebolisa Anako was on ground in Morocco.”
