The contract of the Secretary General of the Nigerian Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi will end at the close of the year. With few months left, there have been intense lobby to extend his contract after eleven years.
In a Country of 200 Million people, the Nigeria Football Federation seems to be finding it difficult to get a competent replacement for the position of Secretary General and in its wisdom have decided to extend the contract of Dr Mohammed Sanusi who has served for eleven years.
However, the plan for the extension of the contract which will elapse in two months time seems to be raising dust and if not carefully handled may make or Mar the fortune of Football in Nigeria. This is the engine room of Nigeria Football and must be well guided.As a matter of fact, football has been on the low ebb for years now with our once dreaded teams now struggling to qualify for major tournaments.
As a result of that, major stakeholders would not want to hear any of such and have been clamouring for a change.
The only notable voice on the side of Dr Sanusi is former NFF President and member of FIFA Council, Amaju Pinnick.
Pinnick as we all known is very influential and it was Pinnick who brought the present President, Ibrahim Gusau. Remember too that when Pinnick spoke in favour of Finidi George to be appointed the Coach of Super Eagles, it was promptly done. Analyst now see the extension of Dr Sanusi’s tenure as a forgone conclusion.
Some see Sanusi as “ Government pickin” and is untouchable because nobody has served more than the normal tenure but Sanusi has surpassed all.
Sanusi was first appointed by the Amaju Pinnick administration for four years. After completing that tenure, Pinnick gave him a second term, not just of four years but was handed a cumulative special five year tenure extension. As a friend told me, only people with President or Governor as brother gets such treatment in Nigeria.
However, stakeholders and football fans across Nigeria are seriously objecting to any moves to extend or renew the contract.
In a statement by the Movement for the Advancement of Nigerian Football( MANF), the Covener, Olayiwola Akande said they will do everything to scuttle the plan to extend the tenure. “We are raising this alarm to save Nigerian Football from its current downward slide. “
To them, Nigeria Football Federation and Nigerian Football needs fresh blood with progressive ideas to overcome years of poor administration and performance.
They therefore demand for the process of selecting a successor to be transparent and in compliance with Nigerian Constitution’s principle of federal character.
They argued that the NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau is from Zamfara State and as it was in the 90s, the scribe should come from the Southern part of the Country.
Right now, Sanusi who earns $10,000 .monthly seems not to have justify the huge payment. Nigerian football is at the lowest ring of the ladder terms of football growth in Africa with no tangible development in the last 10 years.
Dr Segun Odegbami, a former National player and influential figure refused to stick out his neck but advised stakeholders to deploy commonsense in handling the issue. At the last NFF General assembly which took place in Asaba, stakeholders were armed to the teeth waiting for the matter to be raised. However, the NFF bigwigs read the mood correctly and did not include it in their agenda. Ibrahim Gusau later told journalists present that it was not the duty of the general assembly to discuss such matter. He simply told them that the matter would be treated at the NFF board level.
My suggestion on this matter even though I know that a decision has been taken to extend it from a reliable source, is that NFF should put the interest of the country first.
Like what Osita Chidoka said, leaders and communities across the land appear to celebrate the elevation of successful charlatans and nincompoops in a flagrant rejection of decency, intellect and ability.
In Nigeria, we often celebrate mediocrity which can lead to complacency or lack of motivation to strive for improvements. The mere fact that the person got the job due to a high connection with nothing to offer is enough to kill the spirit of others. In the last 10 years, we have missed so many age grade competitions where our talents could have been displayed before the World, yet we want to continue with the same system which has yielded us nothing.
In search of a successor I will suggest that we go after competency. You cannot tell me that in a country of 200 million people, we cannot find a suitable replacement for Sanusi.
A commitment to excellence this time can result in higher achievement, career advancement and recognition, enhancing self esteem and confidence. Striving for excellence therefore will raise the standard of Nigerian Football, leading to a better outcome.
Finally, I expect a decision from the Nigerian Football Federation that will heal souls, wounds and prove that Nigeria is not a country of mediocres.
