President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Mr Amaju Pinnick, on his election into the FIFA Executive Council, the highest decision-making organ in world football.
The congratulatory message was contained in a statement by presidential spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday.
The president expressed belief that by dint of hard work, dedication and consistency, Pinnick had proven to be an efficient football administrator.
The statement stressed that the world has taken cognizance of Pinnick’s competency skills by electing him into the FIFA Council and one of the Vice Presidents of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The President said the feat of enhanced visibility and prestige of Nigeria in the international community is coming on the heels of recent elections of other well qualified and endowed Nigerians into strategic leadership positions in international organisations.
Buhari urged Pinnick to see his new assignment as an opportunity to enhance Nigeria’s reputation and identity as a football-loving country.
He tasked Pinnick to optimally utilise the role of sports, through football, as a driving force to engender development, peace and stability at the regional and international levels.