Shaibu-led NFF Reconciliation  C’ttee Brokers Peace Between Aggrieved Groups

Adibe Emenyonu  in Benin City

The Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Reconciliation Committee and Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt.Hon. Philip Shaibu, has called on members of the All Nigerian Football Players Union (ANFPU) and the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) to bury the hatchet and settle lingering issues which have hampered the smooth running and progress of the unions.

The five-man reconciliation committee recently inaugurated by the NFF board to look into the misunderstanding between the ANFPU and PFAN opened for discussions for a truce, on Thursday, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Other members of the committee include Mr. Emmanuel Okala (MON), Dr. Felix Owolabi-Akinloye, Mr. Garba Lawal, and Mr. Abdul-rafiu Yusuf who is the Secretary.

Shaibu, who addressed members of ANFPU and PFAN, during the meeting at the Government House, urged them to be united and act in good faith to address challenges facing both retired and active football players.

According to him: “We are happy to have you here as we work together, collaborate and unite to fight our challenges, ensuring that we move forward as players and ex-players.

“As members of this committee, we are expected to work with members of the two unions and reconcile our differences. We have strong unions that will take care of all, both retired and active players.”

Shaibu said the Governor Obaseki-led administration has kept sports alive in the Edo State by developing several sporting facilities, which led to the hosting of National Sports Festival in 2020.

Noting that the state will continue to promote grassroots sports development, he said: “We have built 20 mini stadia across the 18 local government areas and most of them are almost complete. Some of them are within Benin City.

Speaking on behalf of PFAN, Edema Fuludu said the unions have a duty to protect and safeguard players from molestation and abuse, whether in terms of contract management or physical exploitation.

Also speaking, President of ANFPU, Abdul Sule, described the reconciliation meeting as historical as players and ex-players have faced different challenges over time.

Sule added, “The disagreement has lingered for over three decades, hindering us from coming together as one force to face challenges we have dealt with over time. Nobody had risen to put a stop to the issues.”