The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 1st vice-president Barrister Seyi Akinwumi Tuesday August 2022 formally declared his intention to contest for the position of the president of the federation in the September 30 elective congress slated for Benin, the Edo state capital.
It was however a gathering of the major football stakeholders ranging from the administrators to the ex-internationals and the state Football Association in the country with two NFF presidential aspirant Barrister Musa Amadu and ex-international Peterside Idah gracing the ceremony.
The impressive and colourful ceremony held at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton had heavyweights such as former NFA chairman, Ibrahim Galadima, 2nd NFF vice president Shehu Dikko, and several current board members like Ahmed Fresh, chairman of chairmen Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau and several others in attendance.
The list also includes former NFF secretary general, Tijjani Yusuf, Fanny Amun in attendance.
Other stakeholders that graced the occasion includes, Victor Ikpeba former African Footballer of the year, Edema Fuludu , Patrick Pascal and Peterside Idah.
Speaking at the declaration, Barrister Seyi Akinwumi urged the stakeholders to always put football first in all their dealings. He promised to lead the NFF to a new dawn with infrastructure development , focus on grassroot football, women game and bringing in a lot of dynamism into running of football in the country promising that Nigeria football need a brighter future.
”I guarantee changes. I have a vision and template of how to develop football in the country. Football runs in my veins since my childhood days. I want to be NFF president because it must be somebody who understand and actually invest his time ,energy in development of grassroot football.
“We will give local football the necessary funding it deserves. Our relationship with the government is also key. We will maintain a partnership with the government,” he said.
Speaking also at the occasion, Danladi Bako implored the stakeholders to rally round Akinwumi as the ‘most credible candidate’ seeking for the position.
Anambra FA chairman, Chikelue Iloenyosi, in his goodwill message urged the stakeholders to come together and vote for a man of integrity which Akinwumi epitomizes. Several others stakeholders Kunle Soname of Bet9ja also spoke in the same vein.
