By Amaechi Agbo

Former Nigeria Football Federation, NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has stated that he is still “in charge” of Nigeria football.

Amaju who is FIFA Council Member and Member of the CAF Executive Committee said this on Tuesday during the official handing over to his successor, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the new board members of the federation.

Recall that on Friday, September 30, 2022 Zamfara State Football Association Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau was elected as the new NFF president in Benin City, Edo State. Hé succeeded Amaju Pinnick whose eight-year reign came to an end after his board was desolved during the elective congress.

Speaking during the handover ceremony held at the NFF Conference Room at the Sunday Dankaro House, Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Pinnick said he would do his best to “protect and project the interests of Nigeria at all times”

“As a FIFA Council Member, I am technically in charge of 22 countries including Nigeria. I will always do my best to protect and project the interests of Nigeria at all times,” he said.

The former Delta State FA Chairman noted that that his administration gave “its all” and “built discipline within the national teams.”

“My administration gave its all and raised funds for the programs of the NFF and the National Teams, and built discipline within the National Teams. However, I see the new administration surpassing whatever we achieved. The new President is a strategist who is humble, dynamic and innovative.

“I thank you for your loyalty and support in the past eight years, and the encouragement and support of the Board that I worked with. It was an awesome experience all through and I give God the glory. Football is the winner. I ask for the forgiveness of all those that I might have offended one way or the other, and I crave your support for the new team.

“The General Secretary is a formidable individual, a great administrator and a good man at heart. He is a man capable of stabilizing the new Board. I have no doubt that alongside other members of Management and Staff, they will propel Nigeria Football to new heights.”

Pinnick charged the management and staff to give Gusau and the new Board maximum support as they gave him and his team, and reiterated that he remained a part of the system and would still be available to offer advice and suggestions whenever such is sought.

In his response, the NFF President said the warm relationship between the old and the new guards is a reflection of the wonderful relationship that was forged among the members of the last board within eight years.

“We assure you, Mr. Pinnick, that we will always reach out to you for your advice and encouragement whenever the need arises. We wish you the very best in your duties and tasks at FIFA and CAF.”

Present at the occasion were the new NFF president, Alhaji Gusau; Board Members – Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, Ms Aisha Falode, Rt. Hon. Essien Udofot and Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, Deputy General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, other members of management and NFF staff