NFF Inaugurates Interim Management Committee

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, on Friday, inaugurated the Interim Management Committee (IMC), burdened with the duty of managing the Nigeria Professional Football League.

The inauguration held at the federation’s Secretariat (Sunday Dankaro House) inside Package B, Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja, saw former Director General of National Sports Commission (NSC) Gbenga Elegbeleye confirmed as Chairman. At the same time, Davidson Owumi was named as Secretary.

Ayo Abdulrahaman was appointed as the Deputy Secretary of the IMC.

Gusau, while communicating with the media, ordered the Committee to work on the legal framework and commercialisation of the League. He added that the body should also do all it takes to bring the League back on TV and review Club Licensing.

“A month ago, Federal Government declared LMC an illegal entity. We, therefore, had a meeting where we decided that the IMC should be inaugurated with a defined Term of Reference.

“Former DG of NSC, Gbenga Elegbeleye, is the Chairman of the Committee, while Davidson Owumi becomes the Secretary.

“The Committee is charged with the responsibility of running the League and should make sure that the League regain its glory and work on the legal framework that will make it one of the best in Africa. The League Calendar should align with the rest of the World.

Club Licensing must be reviewed while ensuring that players are paid as and when due. The Committee must work on bringing the League back on TV so that Nigerians will watch the League Stars from the comfort of their homes.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Elegbeleye explained until their inaugural meeting, the date for the commencement of the League could not be made known to the world.

He acknowledged that the task is enormous but not impossible. He said the league’s challenges are caused by everyone involved and should be solved by putting all hands on deck. He assured Nigerians that the League would be back on TV. He urged the match officials to be fair while discharging their duties such that matches would be won on merit.