The first vice-president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi is bracing for a successful organization of the maiden Aisha Buhari Cup, in honour of the country’s first lady, megasportsarena.com reports.
The erudite lawyer-turned-soccer administrator, who is also the chairman of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) is now bound to add more gusto to his efforts, following fresh marching orders from the NFF’s executive committee.
The latest charge came from the body’s latest meeting at Edo Heritage Hotel in Benin City, during which Akinwunmi and other members of the local organizing committee of the six-nation competition were directed ‘to proceed apace with all arrangements and focus hard at organizing a’ befitting event worthy of the president’s wife’s status in the country.
Akinwunmi had earlier expressed the committee’s determination to utilize the competition to boldly underscore Nigeria’s competence in organization of major events as well as beef up the nation’s international image, as the contest, which will hold from 14th to 20th September in Lagos, will also have teams from Ghana, South Africa, Morocco, Cameroon and Mali.
A statement by the NFF’s communications department added that the committee is also saddled with the responsibility of organising a befitting tournament that would boost Nigeria’s image and in celebration of 30 years of women’s football in the country.
The committee also has the chairman of Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and NFF executive committee member, Aisha Falode as director of organization and a UNICEF ambassador and NFF’s head of female soccer, with over 15 years experience, Amina Daura as deputy director of organization.
Others are Dr Mohammed Kamal, a technical assistant from Presidential Economic Advisory Council, representing Office of the First Lady, Honourable Ayo Omidiran is a three-time Member of the House of Representatives and chairman of the NFF Women’s Football Committee.
Also in the LOC are Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen, former speaker of Benue State House of Assembly and chairman of Benue State Football Association, Assistant Inspector General of Police Umar Baba, who is Nigeria’s Interpol Officer, and Ufuoma McDermott, a French-speaking actress,
They will work alongside Kemi Areola, an information technology guru and special assistant to the minister of Youth and Sports Development, NFF’s director of communications and a CAF Media Officer, Ademola Olajire and Kola Daniel, media aide to the sports minister.
The LOC also has ace broadcaster, Chisom Ezeoke, who has served on the CAF Women’s Football Committee, ex-international Olayinka Olagbemiro, Ese Okpomo, who has 15 years experience in bi-lingual support and advisory work at international level, Ruth David, the NFF’s acting director of competitions and Mohammed Ameenu, a FIFA-trained instructor/CAF referee assessor.
The y will all work together in close affinity and liaison with Akinwunmi, with a view towards ensuring that the maiden Aisha Buhari Cup leaves resounding memories, which members of the NFF’s executive committee stated during their meeting must be ensured to the letter.
A communiqué issued after the meeting stated in part: “Following a detailed briefing by the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the Dr Aisha Buhari International Invitational Women’s Tournament taking place in Lagos in September 2021.
“Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, the Executive Committee lauded the efforts so far made and urged the LOC to proceed apace with all arrangements and focus hard at organizing a tournament that will uphold the virtues of decency, excellence and uprightness for which the First Lady is known.
“It further urged the NFF Secretariat to ensure all hands are on deck for adequate preparation of the Super Falcons to emerge champions of the tournament. “
