LUMUMBA BACKS GALADIMA

Former NFF presidential aspirant, Hon. Lumumba Dah Adeh has thrown his weight behind the nomination of one time NFA Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima for membership of the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, as replacement for banned Dr. Amos Adamu.

Speaking to Trustsports yesterday, the former member of House of Representatives said the Nigerian Football Federation should be commended for nominating Galadima for CAF Executive Committee membership because he is the right choice.

He said going by the position of Nigeria in Africa and world football, it would be a bad commentary on the nation's image if her interest is not represented in the continental body.

Lumumba said Galadima has got all the good qualities that qualify to be a member of the continental body.

He said the former NFA chairman is a man of proven integrity, transparent and also highly experienced having been involved in football administration at different levels for decades.

'I want to commend NFF on the nomination of Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima for CAF Executive Committee membership. It is a commendable decision because Galadima is ably qualified to represent Nigeria at the highest level. He has paid his dues and is a man with the requisite credentials for the job.

'He has the required administrative acumen and personal integrity which are some of the vital requirements for membership of international bodies. I am not surprised that he was nominated.

'With the pedigree of Nigeria in international football, it would be a bad commentary on the image of Nigeria, if we are not represented in CAF. I whole-heartedly support his candidature,' he said.

Lumumba  called on all well meaning Nigerians especially the government to give unflinching support to Galadima's candidature as he said every necessary support should be given for him to scale through any hurdles that may be in his way.

He said NFF has played its part but government must not fail to play its own role because diplomacy must be employed to see Galadima through the process.

He added: 'I want to call on all well meaning Nigerians to give total support to Galadima's candidature. The government has a special role to play because it is going to involve diplomacy and stuffs like that'.

Lumumba said getting Galadima into the CAF Executive Committee is a collective responsibility and so all hands must be on deck to get him there.