Finally, Nigeria's Pinnick Has Seat at FIFA Council Table
Nigeria's Amaju Melvin Pinnick's lobby for a seat at the Fifa executive council table has finally borne fruit. A die-hard soccer administrator, Pinnick has risen through the ranks in various roles, including being the president of the Nigeria Football Federation. Among his accolades, in January 2017, the 50-year-old was appointed a member of the organising committee for FIFA competitions, as well as a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee in March 2017. In 2018 he was the first vice president of CAF. He was susbsequently removed in July 2019. Pinnick was the Sun newspaper's 2016 sports personality of the year with Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.
His career has not been without controversy. His election as the Nigeria Football Federation president was ruled invalid on April 8, 2016 after a case was brought by his opponent Chris Giwa, whom the court ruled was the valid election winner. On April 11, 2016 FIFA wrote to the NFF stating that the court was interfering with soccer matters and that if the ruling was not overturned Nigeria would face a FIFA ban. In July 2016, then President Goodluck Jonathan appealed to Giwa to withdraw the case, announcing Pinnick the president of the NFF. On January 5, 2019 a case of fraud were brought against the NFF and a travel ban was allegedly placed on Pinnick. In May 2019, allegations surfaced of the disappearance of U.S.$8,4 million paid to the NFF by FIFA for the national team, the Super Eagles' participation at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which saw Pinnick and NFF executives face charges. Pinnick was also charged with not declaring all his assets. Pinnick has described the FIFA election process as "no tea party" but that it is a victory for Nigerians, Africa and global football.
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Nigeria:
Pinnick Throws Light On How He Won the FIFA Council Seat
This Day, 16 March 2021
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has described his election into the FIFA Council as a victory for Nigerians, Africa and global football. Read more »
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Nigeria:
FIFA Council Seat - Pinnick On the Cusp of History
This Day, 12 March 2021
Nigeria's Amaju Melvin Pinnick, is one of the 14 football administrators from Africa gunning for the six seats allotted to the continent in the 37-member FIFA Council at today's… Read more »
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Nigeria:
Pinnick Lands in Morocco, Thanks Sports Minister for Solid Backing
Vanguard, 9 March 2021
President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Melvin Pinnick has arrived in Morocco ahead of the CAF and FIFA Council election billed for this week in Rabat after rounding… Read more »
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Nigeria:
Govt Formally Endorses Pinnick for FIFA Council Seat
This Day, 5 March 2021
The bid by President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick to secure a seat in the FIFA Council has been given a major boost with his formal endorsement by the… Read more »
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Nigeria:
Pinnick - the Child of Destiny Gunning for FIFA Council Seat
This Day, 5 February 2021
The FIFA Council elections have been slated to come up in Rabat, Morocco on Friday, 12th March 2021 during the 43rd Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African… Read more »
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Nigeria:
FIFA Council Candidate, Pinnick, to Pick Up Special Recognition Award
This Day, 29 January 2021
Candidate for a seat on the venerable FIFA Council, the highest decision-making organ in football in the universe, Amaju Melvin Pinnick will on Saturday be honoured with a Special… Read more »
Amadu Melvin Pinnick (file photo).