GODWIN WAMBEBE
The Normalization Committee set up by the Nation’s Apex Football Governing body, the Nigeria Football Federation to Conduct Election into the Kogi State Football Association and it’s 21 Local Councils across the State has paid a Courtesy Visit on the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Kogi State, Alhaji Idris Musa Danjuma on Tuesday 1st August 2023 in his Office.
The Normalization Committee led by the Chairman, Honourable Sadiq Abubakar told the Commissioner that they are in his office to brief and update him on their activities so far heading towards the forthcoming Kogi State Football Association election.
Honourable Sadiq Abubakar told the Commissioner that they have been vigorously pursuing the mandate of having a viable Kogi State Football Association in place come September even though the ousted executives have practically refused to cooperate with his Committee.
” Distinguish Commissioner, we are in your office this morning to brief you on the steps the Normalization committee have taken so far since we were inaugurated few Months ago here in your Office. We have been meeting regularly to chart a road map for Football in the State. We have created a viable platform for every stakeholders across the State to brainstorm on Major positive steps to take going forward and this has indeed helped the committee a great deal in carrying out it’s activities. We have interacted extensively with critical stakeholders which has inturn guided us effectively in our activities “
” We have also reached out to the immediate past Board especially the former Chairman to have him let us into the activities of the past board especially the activities of the Local councils, their financial activities while in office but sadly, the response has not been encouraging. Ours is just to Normalize things and not to stay in Office and so we tried as much as possible to seek the opinion and inputs of those that matters. But unfortunately we have not received the cooperation of the former Board in that regard “
” Despite the inability of the former Board to Cooperate with us on very key salient issues that will guide the committee in it’s affairs and dealings within this period, I want to inform you that we won’t be deterred. We will ensure that we do justice to the mandate given to us by the Nigeria Football Federation and conduct a Free,Fair and Credible election into the Kogi State Football Association and the 21 Local councils across the State. We rose from our meeting yesterday with a programme of activities to conduct elections into the FA and the Local councils and that’s why we are here to update you of this development as the Pillar overseeing Sports activities in the State “
Honourable Sadiq Abubakar also extolled the virtues and achievements of the Executive Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello especially in the areas of Sports Development in the State saying the Young energetic Governor made the best decision to appoint Alhaji Idris Musa Danjuma to oversee the State Sports Sector. He Specifically made reference to the Two State-Owned Football Club Kogi United and Confluence Queens Fc whom he said have received tremendous support from the government especially Confluence Queens Fc who did excellently well in the just concluded Season ending Nigeria Women Football League super six.
The Honourable Commissioner thanked the Committee for finding time to visit and update him on their activities so far and promised that his Ministry will give them the needed support to ensure that Free, Fair and acceptable elections are conducted and Normalcy returns to the State Football Association even though the Kogi State Football Association have their own statues as an autonomous body, the Ministry of Youths and Sports will continue to oversees the development of Sporting activities in the state.
Retired FIFA Badged Referee Mr Abel Baba who gave the vote of thanks Unbehalf of the committee appreciated the Honourable Commissioner for Opening his doors for them and support he has given the Committee so far while also lamenting about the financial hardships that the committee is going through due to the inability of the former FA Board to Cooperate with the Committee.He pleaded with the Commissioner to come to the aid of the committee for them to perform their functions effectively and efficiently.
Honourable Mustapha Allah-Dey is to head the Electoral Committee with Chairman Lokoja Referee Society, Alhaji Yahaya Ali Keller as Secretary, while Mr Abel Baba will Chair the Appeal Committee with the Normalization committee Secretary Mr David Ogazuma to serve as Secretary.
Honourable Sadiq Abubakar was accompanied to the Commissioner, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development by the Normalization committee members Honourable Mustapha Allah-Dey, Retired FIFA Badged Referee Mr Abel Baba and the Secretary of the Committee who is also the Director of Sports Development in the Ministry Mr David Ogazuma.
