Newly-built NFF secretariat undergoes renovation

…yet to move after years of completion

Wonders will never end in Nigeria especially at the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF as the newly-built secretariat of the football house is presently undergoing serious renovation.

The building which was handed over to the Aminu Maigari-led officials three years ago is yet to be occupied by the NFF.

During our recent visit, our correspondent saw heaps of sand, broken blocks and tiles packed in front of the building, which probably must have been packed out of the building. One wonders how a building which has not been occupied to experience such ‘wear and tear.’

The new secretariat

Meanwhile, investigation showed that the NFF has expended millions of naira already on the renovation work and more about to be approval.

It would be recalled that the NFF refused to move to the new secretariat because of paucity of funds for furniture but presently they are expending millions on renovation which was supposed to be used for furniture.

Some months back, after assuming office as the director general of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Alhassan Yakmut disclosed to our correspondent in his office during an exclusive interview that he will ensure that the NFF will move within that period (about two months ago) but till date, the NFF is still operating from their old secretariat.

The refuse in front of the building

Yakmut disclosed that he has met with the leadership of the NFF and the NSC is going to help them facilitate their movement. “I am going to extend the spirit of functionality to NFF. NFF is a critical and important parastatal to the NSC, the speed in this new administration would be extended to the NFF.

“I am already in touch with the leadership of the NFF – the president and the general secretary are very good friends of mine and we are going to use the same spirit to ensure that they move because if we are here, the NFF also should be here,” he noted.

The new secretariat undergoing renovation

The director general further said that he heard that the NFF is finding it difficult to pass through the due process hence the NSC is going to assist them.

His words, “I heard that they (NFF) were complaining about due process, we are going to assist them on how to pass through the due process in good time. The due process is not supposed to be a stumbling block, so I expect the NFF within a short time to move into the new secretariat.”