Nigeria Content Online

The Nigeria
Football Federation (NFF) has denied reports making the rounds in the
media that its Abuja secretariat was raided on Monday by officials of
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The NFF said Tuesday that officials of the EFCC did not visit the Federation’s office.

Acting General
Secretary of the NFF, Barrister Musa Ahmadu said: “No official of the
EFCC visited the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, or the Liaison Office in
Lagos for that matter. What actually happened was that a couple of
persons from a committee on ‘Lost Funds’ set up by the Federal
Government came to our office to ask a few questions.

“They wanted to
know if the NFF followed due process in reporting the matter of
$236,000 that was stolen in our accounts department in March 2009. They
asked questions and received satisfactory answers, and left.

“They certainly did
not leave with any file, talk less of files. We earnestly urge
gentlemen of the media to always endeavour to cross-check their facts.

“The NFF has a
relationship of mutual respect with the EFCC, a responsible agency of
government that has been doing its job professionally. Whatever issues
the two organisations had in the past have been largely resolved.

“We definitely
appreciate the tremendous efforts that the media has been making to
help clear the hazy cloud around our football. We will also appreciate
the more if certain rumours and speculations are double-checked”, said
Ahmadu.

When contacted,
Femi Babafemi, EFCC spokesman corroborated Ahmadu’s statement stating
that no operative from their office visited NFF’s offices.

Accolades for Falcons

Meanwhile the NFF
President, Aminu Maigari has congratulated Super Falcons striker,
Perpetua Nkwocha after emerging as the continent’s best Female Player
and the Super Falcons as the Women’s Team of the Year at the African
Football Awards in Cairo, Egypt.

Maigari said the women’s achievements have placed a burden on the men’s teams and the male players going into next year.

“The performance of
our women’s teams, Super Falcons and Falconets during the out-going
year was heart-warming, and there was no doubt that Perpetua Nkwocha
deserved the gong as the Women’s Player of the Year.

“The men must now
tighten their shorts. There is no reason why our country should not
have a contender in the Men’s Player of the Year category. We have so
many good players in Europe who also play for the national team and all
they need do is put in extra efforts.

“I believe we would
have a Nigerian in the shortlist for Men’s Player of the Year come next
year”, said Maigari, even as he also congratulated goalkeeper Vincent
Enyeama and defender Taye Taiwo, who were named in the CAF First Eleven
of the year.

Maigari also
commended the release of Chairman of Bendel Insurance FC of Benin,
Chief Igbinowanhia Ekhosuehi who was abducted by unknown persons in his
Benin City, Edo State home on Saturday night.

Ekhosuehi, a board
member of the Nigeria FA between 1996 and 1999 during the chairmanship
of the Colonel Abdulmumuni Aminu (rtd), was taken away in his black,
Jeep which was later found abandoned at the Ikpoba slope on Sunday
morning.

“We are very happy
with this development. You know, we condemned the action and now that
he has been released, we must also express our happiness. We are
particularly happy that he was released unhurt”, added Maigari.