Maigari deserves kudos for national teams’ successes – Ladipo

President-general of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Olalere Ladipo, has declared that the present NFF administration headed by Alhaji Aminu Maigari deserves tremendous praise and commendation for the successes that have been recorded by the national teams in the past few years.

Speaking at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja, yesterday, when he led a delegation of his club’s executive council and some members to pay homage to the nation’s football-governing body, Ladipo contended that Maigari’s humility, team spirit, sobriety, administrative acumen and ever-ready listening ear had played a huge role in the accomplishments.

“As far as those of us in the Supporters Club are concerned, the recent successes of our national teams would not have been possible without your excellent leadership qualities and listening ear. You are also a very lucky man. The Almighty God, not man, has put you on this seat.

“Every Nigerian football fan and Nigerians of goodwill everywhere will continue to be grateful to you for returning Nigerian football to strong reckoning in the interntional sphere,” said Ladipo, who has led one of the world’s most colourful, disciplined and organised supporters clubs in the past 24 years.

The visit came only hours after the Supporters Club decorated President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as grand patron, at a gorgeous ceremony inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa.
Responding, Maigari commended the efforts of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, acknowledged as a strong motivational force by several Nigerian legends, in being the extra man for Nigeria National Teams in every match, praising their commitment, personal sacrifice and investment in the game over the decades.

Also at the meeting were Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh and Alhaji Ahmad Muazu Kawu (NFF executive committee members), Barrister Musa Amadu (general secretary), Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme (director of technical), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (director of competitions), Mr. Ademola Olajire (assistant director, communications), Barr. Okey Obi (chief legal officer) and Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau (special assistant to NFF president).

Dr. Ladipo was accompanied by, among others, Alhaji Waheed Yusuf (deputy president-general), Prince Vincent Okumagba (acting national chairman), Mr. Benjamin Ebor (financial secretary) and Reverend Samuel Ikpea (national secretary).