Dalung Accuses NFF of Disrespect, Misappropriation of N390.5m

Nigeria’s sports minister, Mr Solomon Dalung on Sunday accused the leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) ofdisrespecting him by delaying his invitation to the NFF annual general assembly.The sports minister, while making his remarks at the event held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, frowned at being given “only four days’ notice” for the event which he said showed that his invitation was possibly an afterthought.Popular sports broadcaster, Godwin Enaekhena shared excerpts of the minister’s speech on his Facebook page, noting that it signaled trouble for Nigerian football.“By convention, all the delegates to this meeting must have gotten their notices at least 21 days ago. Permit me to also observe that the office of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic deserves some respect,” Dalung said.The red beret wearing minister also faultedthe timing of the annual general assembly.He noted that it was hard to reconcile the decision of the NFF to hold the meeting at a time “it could not pay the Super Falcons because of paucity of funds” and that the resources expended on the conference could have been used to cater for the players.Dalung also stated that he had received a report that the NFF could not account for$802,000 (about N390.5 million) out of the$1.1million (about N535.7 million) development funds received from FIFA.Stressing the federal government’s zero tolerance for corruption, Dalung ordered the NFF “to immediately provide my office with detail information of receipt, disbursement and application of the FIFA development grant accordingly.

”The NFF is also to immediately, appoint a reputable audit firm to check its account books to ensure the judicious use of funds. The minister stressed that the auditreport must be made public so as to promote transparency, build credibility andenhance the federation’s market value.

Concerning NFF President Amaju Pinnick’sintention to contest for an executive position at the Confederation for African Football (CAF), Dalung urged the NFF to unite and put its house in order. The federation is also to forward to the ministerminutes of the meeting where the NFF Board endorsed Pinnick’s nomination for the seat.