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By Our Correspondent

On Wednesday, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF announced the suspension of all football activities in the country till April 15, 2020 due to the ravaging effects of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

NFF decision came less than 48 hours this paper did editorial calling on the nation’s football governing body to, without delay, suspend the Nigeria Professional Football League, the Nigeria Women Premier League, NWPL and all football-related activities in the country as a result of wide spread of COVID-19 in the world.

Following the call, the League Management Company, the body statutorily mandated to organise and administer the NPFL in the country, announced that as measure to ensure limited escalation of the virus in the country, “All matchday 26 games will be played behind closed doors. Meaning fans will not be permitted into the stadium.”

But in a another development, the Nigeria Football Federation announced the cessation of all forms of football activities in the country for the next four weeks, as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic.

According to the country’s supreme football –governing body, the shutdown affects all on-field activities the various National Teams, the Nigeria Professional Football League, the other Leagues, youth football programmes and even street football.

President of the NFF, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick said the cessation will be for four weeks after which the situation will be reviewed in line with events and trends worldwide.

He also advised all members of the football family to observe the various safety precautions and conduct as advised by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, such as hand-washing, the use of sanitizers and social distancing.

Pinnick also stated that the only football activity that will be permitted is the work of the NFF investigation committee into the death of Chineme Martins, which was inaugurated yesterday in Benin City and will submit its report within the next 10 days.

It could be recalled that the federal government had on Tuesday suspended indefinitely, the 2020 National Sports Festival, NSF over the threats posed by COVID-19.

Nigeria currently has 5 confirmed case with 8 reported situations.