Nigerian business moguls, Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola were among the Nigerian dignitaries that attended the FIFA Best awards in London on Monday, September 24 for the good of country’s football as being packaged by the NFF, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has revealed that he invited Dangote and Otedola to the FIFA The Best Awards as a step forward in bringing the pair closer to Nigerian football which can blossom to greater heights with their support .
“Alhaji Dangote is perhaps the biggest business brand in Africa and one of Nigeria’s leading Ambassadors. I am very happy to be in a position to invite himself and Mr. Otedola to such an event of global stature and essence,” Pinnick revealed in a statement.
“As a nation, it is important that we continue to showcase our best brands in all fields. Doing this enhances the stock of our country globally.
“Alhaji Dangote and Mr. Otedola were happy to meet the world’s top governors of football and the football governors were also happy to meet them.”
Pinnick, however reveals that the motive of the invitation was not just for courtesy but to help address the reoccurrence financial and sponsorship issues persisting in Nigerian football.
“Our objective as a Football Federation is to attain financial autonomy so that the Government can channel resources otherwise taken up by football into other critical sectors, and we believe that if we have persons like Dangote and Otedola partnering with Nigerian Football, we will get there faster.”
Pinnick who is the 1st Vice President of the Confederation of African Football also adds that measures towards financial independence for football in Nigeria with a recent discussion with the business magnates have been fruitful.
“The NFF has invited Alhaji Dangote to a couple of matches previously, including the friendly match with England in London before the FIFA World Cup in Russia, but he was unable to attend.
“Now, we are discussing with him on a relationship with Nigerian Football and he is showing immense interest.”