The Nigerian Professional Football League Media Officers Forum at its Maiden National Interim Executive Committee(NEC) Meeting held online(WhatsApp) on Tuesday,14th January, 2020, considered several issues of urgent importance to the Nigerian Professional Football League, including, but not limited to: lack of Sponsorship; Broadcast Rights; Litigations; Misguided Remarks and Disparaging Utterances by some stakeholders against the League Managers and Football Administrators in order to intimidate or infuse fear; Fans’ Hooliganism at match venues; Players and Coaches Contracts; The urgent need to create Proper Awareness before, during and after league matches; and the need to Rebrand the NPFL through Positive Reportage to woo investors and position it amongst the best in Africa and the world.
Interim NEC carefully considered the said issues and resolved as follows:
1. Interim NEC elected the following persons to spearhead the activities of the forum for the time being:
(i). Eche Amos(Nasarawa United FC) – President
(ii). Austin Tyowua(Lobi Stars FC) – Vice President
(iii). Chris Okunnuwa(Sunshine Stars FC ) – Secretary
(iv). Idris Malikawa(Kano Pillars FC) – Treasurer
(v). Onuh Solomon(Heartland FC) – PRO
2. Interim NEC resolved that the MISSION of the NPFL Media Officers Forum shall be to continue to report the NPFL and other critical stakeholders in good light and make recommendations where necessary, to relevant authorities for onward action.
3. Interim NEC resolved that the VISION of the NPFL Media Officers Forum shall be to create one of the most powerful information networks in African Club Football where our audience can confidently rely on, and, to a large extent, be satisfied with.
4. Interim NEC also resolved that as part of its Vision, it shall make the NPFL one of the most reported and competitive leagues in the world with up-to-date, value-added information dissemination, with regards to the ethics and etiquette of sports journalism.
5. Interim NEC resolved that any member of the NPFL Media Officers Forum involved in any unprofessional conduct should be sanctioned.
6. Interim NEC restated that only information that will help promote and develop the League shall be released to the public and that where it is not satisfied with certain developments, should write officially to the appropriate authority(ies).
7. Interim NEC resolved that the NPFL Media Officers Forum shall continue to uphold and safe-guard the integrity of the twenty NPFL CLubs and LMC and shall rise to the defence, where necessary, of the Clubs and League Managers and stakeholders whenever they are unfairly attacked by the antagonistic class and other members of the public.
Dated this 14th January, 2020.
Communique-Drafting Committee Members:
Sam Bariza- Enyimba Int’l FC
Jimoh Bashir – Kwara United FC
