There is no crisis rocking the game of rugby in Nigeria, a member of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) board said on Sunday.
The federation board member, Debo Oshundun said in Abuja that the sport’s various stakeholders are presently working together to ensure greater development for the sport.
He insisted that certain issues, especially those regarding the office of the NRFF president and the removal of Ntiense Williams as the federation’s Technical Director, have been grossly misrepresented.
“We have it on good authority that the Sports Ministry never issued any order suspending from office the NRFF President, Kelechukwu Mbagwu.
“In fact, the ministry wouldn’t have done that, knowing that in spite of its supervisory role it was not in a position to do so.
“If there is any issue with the federation, its president or any board member, the ministry is aware that it has to engage with the board,’’ Oshundun, who is the federation’s Chairman of Media and Publicity Sub-Committee, said.
He, however, disclosed that the NRFF board would in February meeting to discuss emerging issues regarding the sport and its development in Nigeria, as well as appointment or dismissal of officials.
“During the board meeting fixed for early February, we will discuss a good number of issues, and one of them is in relation to the issue of a Technical Director.
“We will look critically into it, especially as it relates to the removal from office of Ntiense Williams and the rumour going around that he will be returned to the office through an imposition.
“It is common law that an employee cannot be imposed on an employer or vice versa, and as such Williams remains sacked until the board pronounces otherwise.”
Oshundun explained that Williams was removed through a unanimous decision of the board on Jan. 17 of 2019 in Abuja, at a board meeting where he (Williams) was also in attendance.
“At that meeting, all issues related to his being removed were properly ironed out.
“So, if there is going to be a reversal of that decision or the case is to be reviewed, it is normal that it should still be the same board that will do that and not any outside party, especially when this is not a case of an appeal
“While it is true that certain directives and guidelines have been issued, it is up to the board to comply or face the consequences,’’ the NRFF spokesman, who is also Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), said.
Oshundun, however, appealed for patience, urging all concerned stakeholders to await the outcome of the federation’s board meeting slated for early in February.
