Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. email: info@dailytimes.ng Tel: 018447948. DAILY EDITOR: BIODUN DUROJAIYE
MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016
VOL. 2. NO.158
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L-R: Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung; FIFA Secretary General, Ms Fatma Samoura; LMC boss, Shehu Dikko; FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and NFF President, Amaju Pinnick.
Keshi
FlFA President, Secretary General arrive Nigeria V
ice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the life of the late Shuaibu Amodu was dedicated to finding and grooming Nigeria’s best soccer talents while providing them the guidance with which they excelled. Osinbajo, who said this in a statement he issued on the death of the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation and former coach of the Super Eagles, described the demise as a profound loss to the nation. The vice president said that coming only four days after the death of former player and coach, Stephen Keshi, Nigeria had lost yet another dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly to bring honour to the country. ``He led the national team to two World Cup tournaments and answered the call to serve as National Coach on a number of occasions. ``Indeed his life was dedicated to finding and grooming Nigeria’s best soccer talents and providing them the leadership and guidance with which they excelled,’’ he said. According to him, Amodu’s work as coach of Nigeria’s national team brought gladness to the nation and fulfilment to many. ``His legacy is secured in the memories of Nigerians who will forever recall the exploits his teams recorded multi–lingual across the African continent and around the world.Infantino a bouquet of flowers ANDREW EKEJIUBA as the trainand emerged ``His dutiful service spanned many years our from the arrival hall, and troupe entertained in the foreground. IFA President Infantino andselflessness the a cultural countryGianni is grateful for his and immense The duo were however unable to stay longer Secretary General, Ms Fatma contributions, ’’ he said. Samoura for any contact the with others not within the NFF arrived Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, The vice president acknowledged that although familytake as security on Sunday onnation a two-day visit.atThey wereit would was pained his death, solace inwas tight around them, with accompanied by assistants Mattias theexecutive joyful memories he left behind. no opportunity to speak with the media. Later, Infantino and Samoura walked on the red carpet Grafstrom and Veron Mosengo-Omba. He expressed the sincere condolences of the people to waiting cars Extra Time gathered that the world football and government of Nigeria to the family of Amodutoonthe Transcorp Hilton Hotel. On the sidelines of the airport reception governors were on arrival at the thereceived loss. werehis a few placard-carrying youths, who were Nnamdi Azikiwe``Our International Airport thoughts and prayersby are with family. We however kept at bay by security men who NFF Presidentpray Amaju Pinnick and General for God’s consolation, ’’ he added. Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, vice presidents confiscated their placards few minutes before Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, and other Infantino’s arrival. At the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Pinnick members of the NFF Executive Committee and accompanied Infantino to the presidential suite, Management. A 10 –year old girl handed the 46 –year old and meetings between the FIFA President
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and the NFF Board and with the visiting FA presidents from other African countries, as well as a cocktail dinner were on the programme for the night. A total of 17 FA presidents from other African countries arrived in Nigeria on Saturday to join the NFF in receiving Infantino. These are Kwesi Nyantakyi (Ghana), Lamin Kaba Bajo (The Gambia), Isha Johansen (Sierra Leone), Musa Bility (Liberia), Juneidi Basha Tilmo (Ethiopia), Nicholas Kithuku (Kenya), Andrew Chamanga (Zambia), Philip Chiyangwa (Zimbabwe), Frans Mbidi (Namibia), Chabur Goc Alei (South Sudan), Walter Nyamilandu (Malawi), Abdiqani Said Arab (Somalia), Vincent Nzamwita (Rwanda), Moses Magogo (Uganda), Jamal Malinzi (Tanzania), Augustin Senghor (Senegal) and Souleman
Waberi (Djibouti). Today, Infantino and Samoura, alongside Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, NFF President Pinnick, chairmen of the Senate and House sports committees, NFF General Secretary and other NFF Board members, and the visiting FA presidents from other African countries, will pay a courtesy call on His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. Also on the programme for today is U-13 exhibition football match at the National Stadium, visit to the new NFF headquarters and a business dinner with Nigeria’s political heavyweights and captains of industry. The FIFA President will return to Switzerland tonight, while the Secretary General will depart Nigeria on Tuesday.