The Federal Government has congratulated President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, on his success at Confederation of African Football Executive Committee elections in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Pinnick defeated the incumbent Benin Republic’s Moucharafou Anjorin by 32 to 17 votes to become the third Nigerian to serve on the executive seat of CAF.
In a statement, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, expressed happiness that a Nigerian is now in the inner caucus of CAF after many years.
Dalung said: “When I became Minister, I asked why there was no Nigerian representative in CAF.
“With a population of over 170 million people, there was no way the CAF executive committee will be constituted without Nigerians as stakeholders.
“I encouraged the federation to try and ensure that they are represented, hence our support for the president of the NFF.
“This is a big achievement for Nigeria and our re-entry into African football politics.”
The Federal Government also seized the opportunity to felicitate with Ahmad Ahmad following his election as the President of the Confederation of African Football, but maintained it support for regional interest.
Dalung said: “Nigeria’s position remains in favour of our national interest but the will of the people has prevailed and we congratulate them all.”
The Minister however advised the newly elected board to be magnanimous in victory and run an all-inclusive administration.
