In an exclusive interview with Saturday Mirror, he noted that instead of Giwa subjecting Nigeria football to distraction and international embarrassment, he should re-strategize and prepare well for the next election
“It is unfortunate that we are witnessing this type of embarrassment in Nigerian football. It is equally unfortunate that it is only in Nigeria that everybody jostles for the leadership of the football house without having any agenda of what he wants to do when he gets the job which is run profitably in other countries.
“I understand that Giwa has a football club based in Jos. That to any civilized person is not enough to earn him the plum job. Where is he coming from? What is his pedigree in the sport he aspires to lead?
“People should not misunderstand me because am not trying to downgrade him or doubt his ability to administer the game well but the way and manner he is going about the whole thing makes me conclude that he is over ambitious and desperate for power.
“Giwa should also understand that his insistence on removing the NFF president through the judiciary will make Nigeria incur the wrath of FIFA who has already threatened to suspend the country if the issue is not settled amicably and once this is done, Nigeria will not be part of the Rio 2016 Olympics”, cautioned the foremost sports administrator.
According to the erstwhile President of Nigeria Cycling Federation who also doubles as Grand patron of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, there is the need for the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung to use his good offices and bring lasting peace to the glass house even as he commended the Minister for taking the bold initiative of setting up a seven man reconciliation committee headed by former NFA President Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima to restore peace to the football house.
He noted that although, it has been reported that Giwa’s group has rejected the committee, but he is optimistic that with proper counseling, they will accept the committee.
“My advice is that the sports minister has a major role to play. I expect him to use his good offices to broker peace among the two warring factions.
“I must commend his decision to set up a reconciliation committee headed by a respected sports administrator and one time President of NFA, Ibrahim Galadima to broker peace among the factions and I expect both Pinnick and Giwa to respect the committee and accept whatever recommendations they make at the end of their sitting”, stated the General overseer of Steward of Soul Winning Chapel Yaba, Lagos.
On the current state of Nigerian football, Rev. Iloh noted that there is the need for the Amaju Pinnick led board to be supported by all Nigerians to enable them reposition the country’s football which he says has taken a nose dive in recent years. “The present board of the NFF under Amaju Pinnick should be supported by all Nigerians to enable them succeed. Anybody that wants to mount the stage should go through due process, which is election. Nigerians of all shades owe the current executive committee the obligation of total support which is fair play that the game preaches.
“On their own part, members of the board must ensure they carry all stake holders along and accept meaningful advice on the way forward as that is the only way we can have the type of Super Eagles we were all proud of in the 90’s.
“It is also important for Amaju Pinnick as the man in charge of football in the country to ensure he works with broad-minded individuals who are conversant with the terrain of African football politics to avoid further heartaches caused to Nigerians during important qualifying matches on the African scene”, concluded the octogenarian.
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