As majority of the Week 1 matches of the Nigeria league hold today at various centres across the country, the Nigeria Referees Association, NRA, has asked those on duty for matches to live up to expectations and deliver on the mandate of the referees’ body that revolves around excellent performance.
President of the association, Otunba Tade Azeez made this known in Abuja. The president urged the referees to shun any negative influence that would make them divert from good officiating expected of them.
While appreciating the NFF and IMC of the league for prompt payment of indemnities and seeking means of clearing the outstanding balance of unpaid Indemnities, Otunba Tade Azeez enjoined the match officials to reciprocate the efforts of the league organisers who not only increased indemnities and transportation cost but have also resumed payment before games and early release of the appointment on time with unbiased officiating. He added that those found wanting in wrong approach to matches would suffer sanctions.
In the remaining games, top rated fifa referee and lecturer at University of Calabar, Dr Joseph Ogabor of the Cross River Council will be in Jos to handle the Plateau vs Shooting Stars assisted by Abba Dada of Yobe and woman FIFA referee of the Akwa Ibom State Council, Mfom Akpan Friday. The crew will be supervised by Dr Aminu Shantali, the Deputy National Training Officer of the NRA from the Katsina state council.
Chairman of Kano State Council and Premier League Assessor, Mallam Ibrahim Nasiru will have his minute-by-minute jotter by his side to take note of he decisions of FIFA Ndidiamaka Patience Madu led quartet who will be on the field to decide the fate of Wikki Tourist vs Niger Tornadoes, while the Chief Physical Fitness Instructor of the NFF Referees Committee/NRA, Sir Engr Emma Imiere (Fifa Rtd) KSM, will observe how Beach Soccer referee exponent, FIFA Olayinka Olayide of Lagos alongside Mohd Yakubu of Bauchi and Isa Sani of Taraba will execute the uphill task of handling Rivers Utd vis Lobi Stars in Porthacourt.
Another interesting tie that the match officials are expected to produce their best form is the oriental derby between Rangers and Abia Warriors where retired FIFA referee and international Assessor Peter Edibe of the Cross River Council is on duty to determine the performance of match officials including two FIFA referees; Grema Mohd of Borno and Hope Igho of Lagos as Referee and Assistant Referee 1 respectively.
Recall that in one of the matches played yesterday, a General of the Nigerian Army, Brig General Fawole Olawale was at the centre of the game where Nassarawa Utd lost to visiting Enyimba while another bright FIFA referee, Abdusalam Kassim officiated the game Akwa United bowed in Uyo to visiting Insurance of Benin.
Remarkably, six female referees promoted to the premier league cadre were appointed to serve as Fourth Officials in some of the matches for Week 1.
The appointment by the NFF Referees Committee
GROUP 1A
NASARAWA UTD VS ENYIMBA INT
IBRAAHIM ZAILANI BA
FAWOLE OLAWALE KD
TEJRI DIGBORI DT
IBRAAHIM YUSUF KN
AMINU A SK
AKWA UTD VS BENDEL INS
ABEL BABA KG
ABDULSALAM KAZZEM ZM
USMAN ISA KT
OKOYE C AN
RASIDAT ABDULGANIYU FCT
PLATEAU UTD VS SHOOTING STARS
SHAANTALI AMINU SK
JOSEPH OGABOR CR
ABBA DADA YB
MFON AKPAN F AK
SANI BABAYO GM
KWARA UT VS GOMBE UTD
SOLOMON W RV
HANNAH ELAIGWU FCT
EFOSIA IGUDIA ED
MUSA DUNG PL
BLESSING CHUKWU AB
REMO STARS VS EL KANEMI WARRIOR
UHUNMWANGHO MIKE ED
A ABUBAKAR NG
TIJIANNI MUSTAPHA KT
MIMISEH IYORHE BN
DARLINTON.N AB
GROUP 1B
BAYELSA UTD VS DAKKADA FC
JOHN MARY AN
NURUDEEN A BA
SAMUEL P AD
BEAUTY TERNA FCT
SERAH GODWIN BA
WIKKI TOURIST FC VS NIGER TORNADOES
NASIR IBRAHIM KN
NIDIDI PATIENCE EN
BELLO ZURU ALHASSAN KB
MICHEAL UBA KD
ISA ALIYU JG
DOMA UTD VS SUNSHINE STARS
FELICIA O PL
BASHIR SALIHU KN
MOSES ALAYEMOLA SK
JERRY PAM PL
EUNICE AMALLA PL
RIVERS UTD VS LOBI STARS
ENGR. IMERE EMM ED
OLAYINKA OLAJIDE LG
MOHD YAKUBU BA
ISA SANI TR
FOLASADE EKUN LG
RANGERS INT VS ABIA WARRIORS
PETER EDIBI CR
GREMA MOHD BO
HOPE IGHO LG
USMAN ABDULLAHI GM
FAITH AGBONS A ED
The NRA wishes all appointed officials journey mercy and best of luck
