From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari declared, Tuesday in Abuja, that football remains Nigeria’s number one sport and a national asset, and that his administration will resist any attempt to undermine its development.
This is even as he has further warned that attempts to disrespect and undermine the institutions supervising the nation’s sports and subjugate national interest for narrow interest or disrespect the laws of Nigeria, as well as attempt to inflict injury on football fortunes will no longer be taken lightly.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, he made the declaration while receiving the 10-year Football Development Masterplan submitted by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.
Describing football as “our passion and a major tool for unity,” the President affirmed that it is the responsibility of the government to safeguard the sport, which has brought Nigeria many laurels, and “treat it as a national asset.”
“Indeed, just as I expect and demand a higher standard of patriotism, responsibility and commitment from those charged with the administration of our football, I also urge all stakeholders to work together constructively and patriotically.
“We have seen attempts to disrespect and undermine the institutions supervising our sports. We have seen attempts to subjugate national interest for narrow interest or disrespect the laws of Nigeria. Nigeria will not take lightly any attempt to inflict injury on its football fortunes,” he said.
President Buhari, who used the occasion to express his expectations from the two-volume report, directed the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to begin its implementation in stages, within the fine lines of relevant sections of Nigerian sports development laws and FIFA statutes.
“This government is interested in developing a football culture that will accommodate global best practices that will also help the nation to lay a solid foundation for her domestic football, put in place professionally and efficiently run leagues, entrench a consistent and stable football calendar and create a value chain which will boost the sports ecosystem.”