NFF Must Succeed In Sports – Amaechi

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Chairman, Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) Aminu Maigari, when the NFF visited the Governor in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi says he will do all within his power to support the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF,  to promote sports development in the country.

He also congratulated the NFF for the qualification of the National Team, the Nigeria Super Eagles for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking when the delegation of top officials of the NFF led by its Chairman, Mr. Aminu Maigari came on a courtesy visit to him in Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Governor Amaechi who described the NFF officials as important personalities in the sporting business, said he was enthusiastic about sports and would support sports development in the country.

“You may think you are not important in the nation, you are. If you see how many Nigerians sit down to watch our football matches you won’t believe it. There may not be people in the stadium as you may want because of television so people sit at home to watch that match because if they go to the stadium they have to pay, they have to buy drinks, they have to struggle with people when they can sit down in front of the TV and watch a match, that is exactly what happens.”

“I know that I watch a lot of matches that the Super Eagles play and let me congratulate you for the Africa Cup of Nations. Also congratulate you for the qualification of the other teams. What usually happens in Nigeria is even if other teams qualify and the Super Eagles don’t qualify they don’t accept that we have qualified. So, it’s important you realize that; I congratulate you on that”, he said.

Amaechi said he would ensure that the football house which he is building for the Nigeria Football Federation was completed and furnished with internet facilities.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Aminu Maidgari said they came to appreciate Governor Amaechi for his contributions to sports development in Nigeria.

He particularly thanked the governor for building a football house for the NFF and also appealed for the furnishing of the football house.

According to him, the football house would be very befitting for the Nigeria Football Federation when completed and furnished.

He said, “Your Excellency, this is just a thank you visit to come and appreciate you, what you are doing for Nigeria Football. Your Excellency, each and every one of us here, we are all witness of what you have been doing to develop the game of football in this country. You chaired the 2010 Presidential Task Committee to qualify the Super Eagles, then we were so desperate, we were in a confused situation and you were able to steer and rescue the situation”.

“Today, Your Excellency, you are building a football house for the Nigeria Football Federation which has never been done in the history of football in Nigeria and while we will go as quickly as possible, Your Excellency we wish to tell you this is a very, very good year for the Nigeria Football Federation because we are able to qualify six of our national teams to play in global competitions”.