Former Nigeria international star winger and President of National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers ( NANPF), Tijani Babangida, MON, continues his drives to give the players’ union the necessary leverage and goodwill network to achieve its objectives for the past and present Nigerian footballers home and diaspora.
Thursday in far way Amsterdam, Holland,at the FIFPRO headquarters, he had a successful deliberations with Stephane Bulkchater, Executive Secretary, FIFPRO Africa division on the ways forward for the players union.
Bulkchater in his welcome address, expressed his satisfaction and happiness with the emergence of Tijani Babangida as NANPF President. He was also quick to commend and endorse the Players’ union pension scheme initiative, amongst its several other plans.
In his line of advice, he encouraged the Nigeria Players Union to pursue its rights regarding the union entitlements to share from sponsorship and television rights monies received by the football authority and leagues in line with best global practices.
The Africa FIFPRO scribe further advice the union to liase with the Football Federation in ensuring the establishment of the Players Status Committee and National Disputes Resolution Chamber( NDRC). As well as ensuring that a minimum of two national team players be made members of the union’s executive board.
He also disclosed that NANPF shall have the opportunity to participate in the next FIFPRO Africa division congress in March, 2020, to kick start processes of the admission of NANPF into the global players union. As he confirmed that FIFPRO shall attend the Africa Footballers Summit being put together in June 2020, by NANPF.
The highlight of the meeting was the recognition and assurance given by FIFPRO to Tijani Babangida led NANPF, that it is aware of the activities of the union, which are in tandem with the global body expectations.
Speaking with the media on the historic meeting, Babangida, said he was glad that FIFPRO have endorsed the activities and programmes of the foremost Nigeria players union. Adding that the outcome of the meeting would only spur the body to work harder for the benefits of Nigerian footballers.
He went ahead to reiterated the union’s unflinching determination to operate according to the best global practices and of course, deliver on its several life changing and enhancement programmes for NANPF members.
