NFF President inaugurates IMC to temporarily run NPFL

By Bethel Kalu

Nigeria Football Federation President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau on Friday, inaugurated the Interim Management Committee to oversee the affairs of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

The much awaited inauguration was done inside the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, where, Gusau tasked the Committee is to restore the integrity and credibility of the league and to turn things around within the shortest possible time.

“There is a lot of work to be done by this committee of eminent and respectable persons in Nigeria Football, people with the pedigree and real calibre to effect change,” Gusau said during the event.

“One of the changes must be to ensure that our League is back on television, and that there is a lot of integrity and credibility to the way and manner it is being administered.

“I have tremendous confidence in the chairman and members of the committee that they will justify the confidence reposed in them by the Government and people of Nigeria.”

Responding on behalf of the Committee, its chairman Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the job of the Committee is to redress such anomalies in few months.

“Definitely, we have a lot of problems in the League. We have problems of officiating, of lack of television and several other hiccups. Our job will be to do a lot to redress these within the short time we have, and we also appeal to the media to ensure credibility in their reporting of the League.”

Inaugurated members of the Committee includes Elder Paul Bassey Vice Chairman,Prince Davidson Owumi as Head of Operations, while the members are Hon. Kunle Soname, Daniel Amokachi, Calvin Emeka Onwuka, Mallam Aliyu Adamu, Rep. of Nigeria Police, Barr. Danladi Ibrahim.

Others are Mohammed Nasiru Sa’idu, Barr. Poubeni Ogun, Auwalu Baba Jada, and Mr. Olumide Bamiduro Secretary and Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman Asst. Secretary.

According to the statement, IMC’s terms of reference listed as firstly, Come up with the procedure for rebranding the League with sincerity of purpose, transparency and accountability; thereby creating an enabling environment that will ensure that the inherent benefits of it as a business outfit, is fully maximised.

Secondly, advise on the legal framework that will attract sponsorship opportunities from reputable corporate organisations, that will make the League a sustainable and viable brand.

Thirdly, draw up modalities for the commercialisation of TV Rights that will represent the highest value of the profit and loss for the domestic league and fourthly, restart the League and draw up a calendar in line with global best practices in achieving the desired objectives and ensure that every Premier League Club has a good playing infrastructure that is TV-friendly, in line with CAF Standards.

Fifthly, to ensure that the League is on Television for better evaluation and transparency and sixthly, furthermore, the IMC as a matter of urgency should draw up a check list of tools and activities as well as assign appropriate timelines within which they would be accomplished with a view to having a form of professionalism in the League.

Seventhly, to put up a legal framework and set up modalities for a permanent body to run the League appropriately and eightly, review the Club Licensing Regulations in line with the FIFA Club Licensing Rules while incorporating legal, administrative and financing systems and putting in place a structure that will guarantee the basic club licensing requirements ensuring that players’ welfare is adhered to strictly by the Club Owners (Payment of Players salaries, contractual terms and certified Insurance schemes).

Ninthly, review the League framework(s) to ensure compliance, fair and credible officiating, while disciplinary measures for hooliganism must be evaluated to prevent fans and teams from indulging in it.