Samoura arrived on Saturday, ahead of more than 20 presidents of FIFA’s Member Associations across the African continent for the ceremony, in which she will receive the NFF Order of Merit award, while Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Internationally –renown business mogul, politician and football financier and supporter, Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola, who died in 1998, will be honoured posthumously with the NFF Presidential Award.

Chairman of the organising committee, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi said the awards panel and Nigerian football, in general, is glad to receive Samoura, while also adding that everything is set for a successful, remarkable and historic ceremony.

Akinwunmi, who is first vice-president of Nigeria Football Federation and chairman of Lagos State Football Association, said AITEO Awards is an annual event that rewards Nigeria’s best performers over a period of 12 months and debuted to many accolades last year.

Aside regular individual; awards up for grabs, Akinwunmi disclosed further that there will be special recognition of a squad of outstanding Nigerian ex-international players, tagged Legends Eleven.

Another part of the event that will be repeated from last year is the gong for the team of the ages, which went to the 1973 set of Green Eagles that won Nigeria’s first major honour – the gold medal of the football event of the 2nd All-Africa Games that held in Lagos.

Akinwunmi also confirmed that this year’s honour will go to the Super Eagles of 1994 that qualified Nigeria for a first FIFA World Cup, won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time on away ground and spectacularly reached the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup finals in the USA.

A media statement from the NFF information department added: “About 20 presidents of member associations of FIFA and CAF have been invited from across the African continent.

“Chieftains of sponsors AITEO (Nigeria’s leading energy solution company) led by Deputy Managing Director, Francis Peters, will grace Monday’s showpiece.

“Award nominees and their friends. A number of renown stakeholders and oaks of the entertainment industry will also be in the auditorium on Monday night.

“Gongs will be presented to winners in Player of the Year (men), Player of the Year (women), Coach of the Year (men), Coach of the Year (women), Young Player of the Year (men), Young Player of the Year (women), Team of the Season, Fairplay Award, Goal of the Season, Fans of the Season, NFF Development Award, NFF Order of Merit Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and Platinum Award categories.”

LAST YEAR’S AWARD WINNERS

Young Player of the Year (Women): Rasheedat Ajibade

Young Player of the Year (Men): Ikouwem Udoh

Fair Play Award: Remo Stars FC

Fans of the Season: El-Kanemi Warriors FC Fans

Coach of the Year (Women): Ann Chiejine

Coach of the Year (Men): Kennedy Boboye

The goal of the Year: Sikiru Olatubosun (MFM FC)

The team of the Season: Plateau United FC

NFF Development Award: Channels Television (Channels Kids’

Cup)

Legends Eleven: Ann Chiejine, Austin Eguavoen, Felix

Owolabi, Christian Chukwu, Uche Okechukwu, Segun Odegbami, Nwankwo Kanu, Mercy Akide-Udoh, Thompson Usiyen, Austin Okocha, Adokiye Amiesimaka.

Special Recognition: Nigeria’s 1973 All-Africa Games Gold Medalists

Platinum Award: Gianni Infantino