There were commendations from all quarters for the George Aluo-led Board of the Nigeria National League as the management of the second-tier of Nigeria’s domestic football organized its third Awards Ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday.
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who was represented by the NFF 1st Vice President Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, gave kudos to the NNL Board for the innovations it has introduced into the league, and challenged it to keep at the pace in order to take the ‘most important league’ to new heights.
On his part, NFF 2nd Vice President/Chairman of NPFL, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, affirmed that the NNL is on the right track to actualizing full private-sector clubs’ participation, while challenging the NNL board to keep encouraging private sector participation in club ownership and management. He also applauded the accomplishments of the Aluo-led board so far.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, was emphatic that given the various changes and innovations introduced into the league by the present board, the NFF has no regrets in putting the board in charge of the second-tier league. He utilized the opportunity to invite First Bank PLC to consider partnering with the NNL, as a way of giving back to the society and taking the youth off the streets to curb all forms of social vices.
In his remarks, former NFF President Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi commended the warm relationship among the various league bodies and the Nigeria Football Federation. He noted that the present NFF leadership has continued to show genuine passion for football development at the grassroots, while also calling for private sector involvement in sponsorship of the domestic game.
Chairman of the NNL, Mr. George Aluo, was full of appreciation to the eminent guests for their warm words of encouragement. He extolled the leadership qualities of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Dr Mohammed Sanusi at the NFF, and attributed the successes recorded so far by the league to the purpose-driven leadership at the NFF.
“These Awards are a way of encouraging good performances and good conduct, and also to inculcate the spirit of competition among the various participants in the league. I commend our partners, ProStar Recreational Services Limited and Sportslights Hub for supporting the NNL to organize these awards to encourage our outstanding players, officials and referees.”
Chief Executive Officer of the NNL, Mr. Emmanuel Attah, gave a brief background on how NNL secured the partnerships with ProStar and Sportslights Hub. He enjoined both organizations to continue to identify with the league especially as footage of league matches are now being seen in various parts of the country and the world at large.
