Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, has solicited the assistance of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, towards the development of football in the State.
Leading a six-man delegation to the office of the NFF President, Danladi said the visit was to familiarize, fraternize and network ways both Organizations can mutually benefit from each other.
“Sir, since you assumed office as President of the NFF, we have not been to pay a congratulatory visit to you, even though it’s better late than never.
“Though you have only been in office for a few months, but you have been able to turn Nigerian football around, and this is due to your doggedness, deep understanding of the game, your commitment and achievements in public service and passion for grassroots football development – these are commendable steps.
“Also, we are here to thank you for saving the face of football in Nasarawa State by taking the bull by the horns to restore sanity by inaugurating the Normalisation Committee to pilot the affairs of football for three months, organize Local Council and State elections.
“I am pleased to inform you that the Committee has hit the ground running and very soon, they will be interfacing with you while we accord them necessary support as a Government.
“Additionally, we are here to seek mutually beneficial synergy with the NFF in the area of Grassroots Football Development, an area you are so vast in.
“We want to humbly request that you carry us along so that we can also make our mark as you are doing already.
“Finally, earlier today, I accompanied you to the opening ceremony of a Referees’ Course holding at the National Stadium where i discovered that only one participant came from Nasarawa State. Even though I don’t know what the modalities are, but, I want to kindly request that you use your capacity to increase the slots for Nasarawa State now or in subsequent programmes.”
The Permanent Secretary appreciated the NFF President for the attention granted the delegation and promised to protect the relationship jealously, going forward.
In his response, NFF President, Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau, applauded the team for the visit.
“I am so happy that you have been appointed as Permanent Secretary and posted to a familiar terrain. We know who you are.
“It was pure wisdom from the Governor to take this decision.
“I know you are going to bring a lot of changes in the area of youth and sports in your State.
“As for us, we will continue to do our best to see how we can support you in whatever programme you come up with, especially in the area of grassroots football, because that’s what constitutes what we do here.
“Let me assure you that our doors are always opened for support.
“What we did in Nasarawa State was the interest of football in the State, though some people have been reading meanings to it. But we don’t look at it from that angle.
“There are 36 States in Nigeria and FCT Abuja, we can’t treat one State well and do otherwise to another.
“We want everybody to be given a level playing ground to exercise their rights in the round leather game.
“Our intention is to ensure that the right things are done and at the right time, too. We also want the best candidates and those who are generally accepted by the people for the task to emerge.
“Sport is different from other disciplines. You must have interest and passion first before you drive sports because it’s a physical endeavour.
“The Committee members who are from Nasarawa State have a very short duration and terms of reference, too, to administer football in the State.
“On the aspect of the Referees, I think you have to encourage your Referee Council to begin to recruit raw and young talents and begin to develop them. We can not be spending resources on overaged talents who cannot represent us anywhere.”
The delegation also used the visit to identify with the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Muhammad Sanusi where he wished the Permanent Secretary well in his new endeavour.
Other members of the delegation were Lawrence Shammah(Director, Sports Organizing), Umar Abubakar(Director, Youth Development), Rt. Shuaibu Sani(Immediate-past SSA to Governor Sule on Youth Affairs), Comr. Jaafar Loko(Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Nasarawa State Chapter) and Eche Amos(PRO, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development).
