NFF appoints first woman head of referees panel in three committees rejig

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

In preparation for the upcoming league seasons across various cadres of Nigeria football, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has constituted its judicial and referees committee.

The committee constituted on Monday with former FIFA referee, with Mrs Faith Irabor as head of the Referees Committee and Mallam Rabiu Umar as vice chairman to be operational for two-years, running from 2022 to 2025.

This means Edo-born Irabor becomes the first woman to head the refereeing panel in history of Nigerian football.

While the Match Commissioners Committee is headed by a Member of the NFF Board, Babagana Kalli, the Ogun State Football Association (OGSFA) boss and NFF board member Ganiyu Majekodunmi as the Vice Chairman.

Also former vice chairman of the Anambra State Football Association, Barrister J. B. C. Obikwelu heads the Disciplinary Committee while Barrister Gandi Umar Mohammed is chairman of the Appeals Committee.

The Referees and Match Commissioners’ committees are scheduled to meet with the NFF leadership at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Thursday by 1 pm, in preparation for the 2022-2023 Nigeria Professional Football League season commencing on Saturday, 8th January.

FULL LIST:

REFEREES COMMITTEE

Mrs Faith Irabor                  – Chairman

Mallam Rabiu Umar           – Vice Chairman

Oba James Odeniran          – Member

Mr Abraham Zakowi          – Member

Mallam Waziri Furo Gawe – Member

Mr. C. C. Chukwujekwu     – Member

Mallam Bello Abubakar      – Member

MATCH COMMISSIONERS COMMITTEE

Alh. Babagana Kalli            – Chairman

Alh. Ganiyu Majekodunmi – Vice Chairman

Hon. Usman Maulud           – Member

Alh. Aminu Mammaga       – Member

Alh. Idris Abdullahi Thuraya – Member

Mr. Anthony Ugwu               – Member

Otunba Mustapha Razaq       – Member

Chief Kenneth Nwamuocha – Member

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

Barr. J. B. C. Obikwelu                  – Chairman

Barr. Abdulrahman Abdulrahman – Vice Chairman

Barr. Ibrahim Mukhtar                  – Member

Barr. Wole Ademoyegun              – Member

Barr. Bello Galadi                         – Member

APPEALS COMMITTEE

Barr. Gandi Umar Mohammed (mni) – Chairman

Barr. Martin Usen Effiong                  – Vice Chairman

Barr. Bemva Akortsaha                      – Member

Barr. Bino Dauda                           – Member

Barr. Bukar Muazu                             – Member