LMC’s EGM Reappoints Dikko, Independent Directors

Chairman and the Independent Directors of the League Management Company (LMC) Limited were on Monday in Lagos endorsed for reappointment by a unanimous decision of members at an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) held at the Best Western Hotel on Victoria Island.

The EGM which had in attendance the LMC Board and the participating clubs of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was convened to deliberate on among other matters, the LMC Governing Structure as provided in the LMC Supplementary Regulations of 2014.

LMC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko in his opening remark before leaving the hall for the clubs to reach decisions on the tabled agenda, spoke on the LMC Governing Structure, the progress recorded by the league, the challenges faced lately, the projects lined up to improve the fortunes of the league and steps that have been taken to resolve some of these challenges and return the league to expectations of the clubs, especially in matters of revenue generation.

Dikko further thanked the NPFL family for the opportunity given him and the Board to serve, promising that the years ahead will usher in greater successes on the field and in the books and then announced the intention of the current board to seek re-appointment consistent with the provisions of the LMC Supplementary Regulations of 2014.

The EGM after full deliberations passed a number of resolutions beginning with a commendation of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee led by the President Amaju Melvin Pinnick for the laudable work they have executed to successfully steer the course of Nigerian football on the path of sustainable development, despite some avoidable distractions.

It also declared unflinching support for the NFF and its leadership for all the positive football development programmes the federation has put in place and are implementing.

The EGM also unanimously endorsed the re-appointment of the current Chairman and independent directors of the LMC for another term, subject to the conclusion of the work and processes of the company’s Selection Committee pursuant to the provisions of Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the LMC Supplementary Regulations of 2014 and Article 18 (2) of the NFF Statutes, 2010.

The General Meeting approved and adopted a proposal for the amendment of Article 7 of the LMC Supplementary Regulations, 2014 with an intent to align LMC Governance Structure with the new FIFA Governance benchmarks on tenure limits.

The meeting further commended the NFF for setting up the NFF Reforms Committee mandated to fashion out ways and strategies to improve Nigeria football.

Consequently, the NPFL clubs resolved to set up a committee of five members to develop a position paper with suggestions on how to improve the NPFL and indeed Nigerian football which will be submitted to the Reform Committee on behalf of the clubs.

The members include: Davidson Owumi of Rangers as Chairman, Mr. Soni Uboh of Go Round FC, Dr. Abubakar Ago of Yobe Desert Stars, Barr. Davidson Adejuwon of MFM FC and Alloy Chukwuemeka who will serve as Secretary.

The General Meeting also reviewed the on-going NPFL 2019 Season and expressed delight with its steady progress and discussed areas of identified challenges with a view to finding solutions.

The General Meeting in particular commended the diligence to duty and untiring efforts of the current Chairman, Dikko and Independent Directors, Dr. Isaac Ayodele, Mallam Salihu Abubakar and Hon. Nduka Irabor in ensuring the continuous development and long-term development of the NPFL and the larger Nigeria football hence the endorsement of their re-appointment to office.

The EGM had in attendance representatives of 22 clubs while two sent apologies for not attending. Independent Directors at the meeting were LMC Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Nduka Irabor, the LMC Chief Operating Officer Salihu Abubakar and Dr. Isaac Ayodele.

Also present were two members of the NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Fresh and Felix Anyansi Agwu.

Some of the Clubs at the meeting include Rivers United FC, Abia Warriors FC, Heartland FC, FC IfeanyiUbah, MFM FC, and Rangers International FC. Others are Gombe United FC, Wikki Tourists FC, Go Round FC, Nasarawa United FC, Akwa United FC, Insurance of Benin FC and Enyimba International FC. Also in attendance were Sunshine Stars FC, Kwara United FC, Kano Pillars, Plateau United FC, Delta Force FC, Lobi Starts, Yobe Desert Stars FC, Katsina United FC, Kano Pillars and El-Kanemi Warriors FC.

The LMC Board consists of seven members made up of an Independent Chairman, two independent members, three members representing the Clubs and the CEO. The reappointed board was first constituted in 2015 after the adoption of the LMC Governing Structure Supplementary Regulations of 2014. The approved LMC Governing Structure has been the guiding principles for the corporate operations and management of the LMC-NPFL since 2015, with the club representatives on the LMC Board appointed on annual basis, while the Independent Directors have a tenure of four years.