Gabon national team singing the country’s national anthem before an encounter with Super Eagles of Nigeria during African Cup of Nations qualification match recently

The newly elected Chief Pa
tron of Lagos State Football Referees Council (LFRC) and the General Manager, Administration of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Chief M.K. Ajayi has canvassed for the establishment of the first Referees Institute in Africa.
Ajayi said such institute located in Lagos would be effective as Nigeria plays a robust kind of football and has over 300 referees across the Nation.
The Chief Patron further said that when fully established, the institute would involve renowned and retired referees from Europe, Africa and the rest of the world to impact knowledge on upcoming referees.
This, he said, would ensure that referees from across Africa would visit the institute for short term training courses.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Manager, Public Affairs, Alhaji Musa Iliya and made available to  Tidesports in Lagos stated that Ajayi promised to lead other Patrons of the LFRC to meet sports loving governors and eminent individuals to contribute to the fund with which the Referees Institute would be built, expressing the optimism that Lagos State Government would donate the land for the project.
He expressed disappointment over the fact that Nigerian Referees do not often get appointed to officiate in CAF and FIFA tournaments as a result of politics in global referees circles.
The Patron advocated for synergy between Nigerians and referees in particular as this would bring out the best in Nigerian referees whom he described as some of the best in the world.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of Lagos State (Football) Referees Council Prince Bashir Kosoko said the choice of Chief Ajayi as the Chief Patron of (LFRC) is because he has made laudable input and impact in the affairs of Referees across Nigeria and Lagos in particular.
Prince Kosoko added that Chief Ajayi’s passion for sports and football in particular led to his recognition as one of the elders and retired referees who still find time to influence the affairs of current and serving referees.
The Chairman of (LFRC) said the chapter which has 10 Referees Societies across the state has been empowered to recognise and honour distinguished members of the society especially retired referees who have contributed immensely to the welfare of the Council in the state.
Present at the investiture ceremony is the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports, NPA, C.K Aderanti,  a sports enthusiast, Deputy Chairman Adebanjo Moses Enitan, Vice Chairman, Duroshola Jumoke, General Secretary Sonabare Lukman and Secretary Badagry Referee Society Solaja Gbenga.