By NEFISHETU YAKUBU
BENIN- The Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, on Friday in Benin showered encomiums on the outgoing President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick.
Shaibu, while declaring open activities ahead of the election of new NFF executive committee members, said Pinnick adequate represented Nigeria in the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).
“Pinnick was the face of Nigeria in the association. He represented the country well in FIFA, and it will not be out of place to say he was the face of Nigeria in FIFA.”
He said Pinnick’s quest for the best led to Edo having one of the best football pitches which was of international standard.
The Deputy Governor promised that Edo would always partner NFF in football development, noting that Edo had always been known as the home of football in the country.
“Because of the state government’s love for football, government is planning to build 20 mini-stadia in our local government areas to promote grassroots football in the state.
“If grassroots football is not encouraged, the country may end up not having the likes of Austin Eguavoen and others who have done the country proud in football,” he said.
Shaibu, however, advised NFF to at all times explore dialogue in resolving disputes.(NAN)
