First vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, has declared his intention to run for the office of president.
Akinwunmi, chairman of Lagos State Football Association(FA), seeks to succeed his principal and incumbent president of NFF, Amaju Melvic Pinnick, whose second term in office ends in September 2022.
Unveiling his presidential ambition before the gathering of FA chairmen, serving and past executive committee members of NFF, club owners, players and other stakeholders at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, yesterday, Akinwunmi promised to make Nigeria’s football great again if given the opportunity to govern the country’s football during the forthcoming NFF elective congress slated for Benin.
Akinwunmi, who listed his plans for Nigeria’s football, if elected NFF president, said he is in the race to reset the country’s football and transform Nigeria into an epitome of football development using meritocracy, professionalism, technology, creativity, transparency and education.
He said his administration will create an inclusive, vibrant and efficient football ecosystem beginning with the grassroots to develop a sustainable national football culture, provide pathways to success and exploit the Nigerian entrepreneurial spirit.
According to him, he intends to achieve his vision and action plans for Nigeria’s football upliftment through four key growth drivers – development, business of football , infrastructure and technology.
Akinwumi also frowned at the gross mismanagement of public funds and promised to run a transparent administration that will be accountable to people, adding that he will ensure funds are appropriated and channeled for the right use.
The renowned sports lawyer and administrator vowed to devolutionalise football administration in the country by empowering the state football associations (FA) and local government football councils to address the steady downfall of football at the grassroots level while the NFF focus on national football politics.
He said he wants to be president because he believes the next president of NFF should be a person that will invest in grassroots football and ensure a viable football ecosystem for schools and private sector grassroots leagues in each state and zonegrow the game from bottom to up.
The lawyer added that he will use his experience as the vice president of the NFF in the last eight years to enthrone an all-inclusive administration that usher a new era for the game.
“I am coming to restore those glorious days when Nigeria used to be respected in the comity of football- playing nations in Africa and the world.
“I will give priority to grassroots development so as to find replacement for the aging players so that no gap will be left in the process of growing the sport again,” he said.
He also said he will focus on a good marketing drive to support the various national teams and club sides both for local and international competitions.
