The newly elected Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA) held its inaugural meeting from July 29 to 30, 2019 at the All Saints Anglican Guest House, Wuse Zone Three in Abuja and after observing a minute silence in honour of one of their fallen heroes, Late Coach Elder Solomon Osemwengie Ogbeide, engaged in extensive deliberations and made the following resolutions:
1. The Executive Committee commended the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for their tremendous support towards the development of football in Nigeria and solicited for more such support for enhanced performances.
2. Expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Nigeria Football Federation for ensuring adequate preparations and improved performances of the national teams, particularly the Super Eagles and Super Falcons at international championships in recent times in spite of challenges being faced by the football federation.
3. The Executive Committee expressed shock and total dismay over the kidnapping of the aged mother of Coach Samson Siasia in Bayelsa State, sympathised with the former Super Eagles coach and appealed to both the Federal Government and Bayelsa State government to take urgent steps in ensuring the safe return of Siasia’s mother.
4. The Executive Committee appreciated both the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development and the Nigeria Football Federation for the audience it was granted and the mutual deliberations during a courtesy visit in Abuja.
5. For being recognised and honoured with the appointment of one of its members to serve on the board of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), the Executive Committee expressed its heartfelt appreciation to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
6. With no intention to be seen as acting like ‘Oliver Twist’, the Executive Committee solicited for an operational vehicle, a grant and office accommodation from the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development.
7. In addition to making a strong case for prompt payment of its members on national assignments, the Executive Committee requested from the Nigeria Football Federation, the payment of outstanding wages and entitlement of national team coaches and players from the Nigeria Football Federation.
8. The Executive Committee requested for a more vibrant and functional Technical Department of Nigeria Football Federation for optimal performance of both coaches and players.
9. The Executive Committee made a solemn appeal to the Nigeria Football Federation for a representative on the board of the NFF, annual grant as well as office accommodation for the association inside the FIFA Goal Project building at the Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium Abuja.
10. The Executive Committee expressed its readiness to partner with the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure the standardization and accurate grading of coaches in clubs and the national teams and also ensure that henceforth, foreign coaches employed by the football federation register with the Nigeria Football Coaches Association.
11. Considering that the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Championship, Brazil 2019 is just around the corner, the Executive Committee further pleaded with the Nigeria Football Federation to, as a matter of urgency, invite the male National Under 17 team, the Golden Eaglets to camp in preparation for the cadet Championship.
12. The Executive Committee requested the League Management (LMC) Company to have a virile and functional Technical Department and encourage all NPFL clubs to recruit qualified technical directors.
13. In furtherance of the above, the Committee asked the LMC to direct all clubs to make provision for Coaches pavilion in their stadia and ensure that identifiable members of the Association have free access into all the stadia hosting matches of the Nigeria Professional Football League.
14. The Executive Committee commended the concerted efforts of all football stakeholders towards the development of the game in Nigeria and assured them of cordial working relationship for accelerated development of the coaches association and Nigerian football in general.
15. The Executive Committee unanimously enjoined members to always uphold the ethics and values of the coaching profession and expressed its readiness to apply appropriate sanctions against any member who would be found wanting.
16. The Executive Committee also reminded State Chapters that are yet to pay their annual affiliation fee of Twenty thousand naira (N20,000) only to do so on or before the end of October 2019.
17. State Chapters were also encouraged to henceforth make use of the National Logo and Identity Cards and ensure the non-existence of any parallel football coaches’ bodies in their respective states including the FCT.
18. To activate and sustain the spirit of comradeship, the Executive Committee adopted a slogan for use by ALL its Members beginning from the national to local councils.
The slogan is:
“Football Coaches!
Talent Developers !!”
Talent Developers!
Football Coaches!!”
19. The Executive Committee also brought to the notice of all State Chapters that applications for admission into the National Institute for Sports (NIS) and applications to attend all Confederation of African Football (CAF) Courses must be endorsed by the state Chapters.
20. For effective and seamless dissemination of information, the Executive Committee disclosed ongoing efforts to create a functional Website for the Association, as well as setting up of Standing Committees for the proper administration of the Association.
21. The Executive Committee also appreciated the fact that football talents abound in the nooks and crannies of Nigeria and disclosed plans to institute the Nigeria Football Coaches Association Competition “NFCA UNITY CUP” for the discovery of such talents and unification of members across the country.
22. The Committee notified members of the soon to commence National U-17 President’s Football Cup Competition and said details would soon unfold.
23. The Executive Committee after careful consideration appointed new Zonal Co-ordinators for the six Geo-Political Zones in the Country
ATTENDANCE
1. Isah Ladan Bosso – President
2. Victor Nwakanma- 2nd Vice-president
3. Stanley Eguma Azunda- General Secretary
4. Mansur Abdullahi- Assistant Secretary
5. Dr Asak Diana Ajaine- Welfare Officer
6. Justine P. Madugu- Financial Secretary
7. Chief John Obuh- Treasurer
8. Abdulraq Othman- Auditor
9. Etta Egbe- Public Relations Officer
10. Danlami Akawu- Assistant Training Officer
Absentees due to official engagements
1. Dr Salami Isiaka Abiodun- 1st vice-president
2. Henry Abiodun- Training Officer
3. Bala Nikyu- Provost
Communiqué Drafting Committee
1 Dr Asak Diana Ajaine- Chairman
2. Madugu P. Justine – Vice-Chairman
3. Abdulrazaq Othman – Member
4. Mansur Abdullahi- Secretary
