The long- awaited wind of change in Nigeria football seems to have finally blown with the emergence of Aminu Maigari (Bauchi State) and Chief Mike Umeh (Anambra) as the new president and 1st vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) respectively.

In a peacefully organised election conducted on Thursday at the International Conference Center, Abuja, Maigari, who succeeded the deposed former president, Sani Lulu as interim president, pulled a massive 31 votes as against former NFA scribe, Sani Toro's 5 votes, and NPL chairman, Oyuki Obaseki's 4 to retain the post as the duly elected president of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Former Super Eagles team manager, Mike Umeh swept aside his rivals, Jarret Tenebe, Fanny Amun and Obinna Ogba with 26 votes from the available 44 to emerge 1st vice president in the new-look NFF board. Effiong Johnson was elected unopposed with 42 votes as chairman of chairmen in the new board.

Apart from Shehu Adamu (Kaduna) and Maigari - the new president, no other member of the former board, led by the impeached president, Sani Lulu, returned; Dominic Iorfa and Obinna Ogba were defeated by Suleiman Yahaya Kwandeh and Mike Umeh, respectively.

Key observers of Nigeria's football politics believe that this election may have brought to an end, the era of the 'cabal' that existed in our football.

It might be recalled that Maigari was regarded, not only as a product of necessity, but a key watcher in Nigeria football. Pundits are convinced that the Bauchi-born soccer administrator has proved himself a man of honour and integrity. Given the opportunity, he can take Nigerian football to the next level.

After many years of decay and administrative blunders coupled with the rot and foul play that led to Super Eagles' shameful outing in the last FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Maigari did hatchet job on his former boss, Sani Lulu and his co-travelers, Amanze Uchegbulam and Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.

To give way for complete reformation by demystifying the cancer that has plagued football in Nigeria, Maigari sent top secretariat staff, led by former secretary-general, Bolaji Ojo Oba, packing from the NFF.

Mindful of the fact that the administration of football in Nigeria requires complete overhauling, especially from the grass roots where talents are abound, in his acceptance speech on Thursday after his election, Maigari promised to supervise and ensure that transparent elections are conducted in all state football associations.

The former Bauchi FA chairman assured football followers that his administration would pursue modernisation, youth development, infrastructure and players' welfare. "Our modernisation agenda would cover every facet of our football that has long been neglected or has decayed and no longer fit our image as a nation," he said.

While Nigerians are waiting to see if only those who merit Super Eagles' jersey would be given the opportunity to wear it during this administration, Maigari must ensure that the Under-13 team pet project of his predecessor, Sani Lulu, is sustained, maintained and allowed to grow. Nigeria's U-13 side, a pet project of the deposed NFF president, recently brushed aside Premier League, Spanish and Dutch youth squads to emerge champions of the 2010 International Youth Championship organised by the English Premier League. A total of 16 youth teams participated in the championship including Chelsea, Fulham, Portsmouth, Hull City, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Birmingham City, Wolverhampton, Wigan Athletic, Sporting CP, Athletic Bilbao and Feyenoord lads.

Nigeria's U-13 team was placed in Group B in the four-day tournament and the youngsters upset Liverpool 4-0, humbled Fulham 6-0 and dismissed Birmingham 4-1 to book a place in the semi-finals. They sent Chelsea packing after a 3-0 win and then went ahead to beat Sporting CP 2-0 in the finals.

The Nigerians dominated the tournament, scoring 21 goals and conceded only one.

Based on their impressive performance, the English FA has extended invitations to the U-13 and U-15 teams for next year's edition.

Nigeria Premier League (NPL) and the former NFF board were in lingered bitter relation over who enjoyed more independence and Maigari-led new NFF board must tackle all the factors against the smooth running of our domestic league and ensure are harmonisation and modernisation as promised.

Marketing is a major aspect of football administration and with the proven character and integrity enjoyed by this new board, it is hoped that they will not have problems securing sponsorship for their activities, as well as in selling the Nigeria football brand to the outside world.

The board should come out with a new blueprint for their entire marketing programmes.

Negotiation terms and conditions of sponsorship should be well-articulated to avoid clash with potential sponsors. Responsibility of TV sales and broadcast rights of national team matches, as well as sponsorship of national teams, national club competitions and both male and female FA Cups should be well stated.

With the likes of Felix Anyansi, who has made his mark in club football, former Super Eagles team manager, Mike Umeh, who, over the years has gathered knowledge of international rules governing the game and others with great respect for nationality on the board, the technical department of the new board is well equipped with the needed human resource to move our football forward.