FIFA rules on suspending Nigeria today

World football governing body, FIFA has warned the Federation government that if it fails to withdraw its recent decision regarding a self-imposed ban on the country's teams, it will not only ban the country but also extend the tenure of the present executives of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by President Sani Lulu.

The Lulu-led NFF board is seeking a new term in office next month and FIFA said they would be compelled by the present situation to extend their tenure, which runs out on August 28.

"As long as this decision is not withdrawn, FIFA will deal exclusively with the legitimate executive committee of the NFF, even it that means that its term must be extended over the 28 August, 2010, date originally fixed for the next elections," informed FIFA in a letter dated July 2 and signed by FIFA secretary-general, Jerome Valcke.

The world football ruling body said they haves established a case against the government for "a clear and blatant interference" in the way football is run in Nigeria. They said this violates Article 13 paragraph 1g and Article 17 of the FIFA statutes.

They equally directed that elections to the NFF board slated for August 21 in Lagos proceed accordingly and be guided by the NFF statutes.

Government officials have argued that the tenure of the NFF has expired and as such they have asked FIFA to allow them set up a caretaker management committee to run football in the country until elections are conducted into the board of the Nigeria FA.

Former internationals Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha and Samson Siasia have been named by government in this management committee, which will be inaugurated today.

However, FIFA have turned down this request, warning that it will not recognise the committee.

FIFA warned that if this directive by the government is not withdrawn by 6pm South African time (5pm Nigerian time) today, July 5, their emergency committee will meet and suspend Nigeria from international football with immediate effect.

Valcke stated very clearly that dire consequences await football in Nigeria should government fail to back down.

"We would like to underline the dire effects a suspension could have on the future of Nigerian football. It would mean that no Nigerian team of any sorts (including clubs) could have any international contacts," declared FIFA.

"We consider that this governmental decision would only completely isolate Nigerian football and could thus stall reforms and further development and improvement of Nigerian football for a long time.

"It puts the whole future of Nigerian football in danger."

Already FIFA have informed Nigeria that arrangements have begun for another country to replace the country at the Under-20 World Cup, which kicks off in July 13 in Germany.

This will be the case should the government fail to reverse its decision.

Daily Champion

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Former Super Eagle John Fashanu duped by British convict

A Briton convicted four times in the United Kingdom has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly duping Nigerian sports Ambassador, John Fashanu of 300,000 and $10,000.

Davis Littlechild who is the Managing Director of Business Mart Ltd in Ikeja, Lagos, was arrested by operatives on Thursday. A source said investigations so far revealed that Littlechild who is currently in detention allegedly obtained the money from John Fashanu under false pretence.

EFCC's spokesman, Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest.

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President Goodluck Jonathan suspends Super Eagles

Nigeria's president has suspended his nation's football team from international competition for two years after a poor showing at the World Cup.

Special presidential adviser Ima Niboro told reporters the decision by Goodluck Jonathan will "enable Nigeria to reorganise its football".

The Nigerian Football Federation is to be dissolved and an interim board appointed, the BBC understands.

Nigeria were knocked out in the group stages without winning a game.

Niboro said: "President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that Nigeria withdraws from international competition for two years to enable the country to put its house in order.

"This directive became necessary following Nigeria's poor performance in the ongoing World Cup."

The president also plans an audit of the country's World Cup organising committee.

"If any financial misappropriation is discovered, all officials responsible will be held accountable," Niboro added.

The NFF released a statement apologising to "all football-loving Nigerians" for the country's early exit from South Africa.

"No previous board has qualified Nigeria for all major tournaments internationally," the statement read, adding that officials wanted Swedish coach Lars Lagerbeck to remain at the helm.

Rotimi Amaechi, head of a special presidential task force on the World Cup campaign, said Nigeria would write to football's world governing body Fifa to explain its decision.

"We went to the World Cup and found all sorts of problems and we felt we should sit back and look inward," Amaechi told reporters.

Under Fifa rules, government interference with national teams is strictly forbidden.

"At the time of writing, we have no official information on this matter," a Fifa statement read.

"However, in general, Fifa's position regarding political interference in football is well known. Our statutes do not allow for any political interference."

Nigeria's risks their national and club teams, plus referees, being banned from all international competitions - and their officials would not be allowed to attend meetings or events.

Nigeria were set to begin their bid to qualify for the 2012 African Nations Cup finals in September against Madagascar.

BBC

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Poverty blamed for child trafficking

Inspector General of Police Ogbonna Onovo yesterday said poverty and evil religious practices are some of the factors that promote child trafficking. Onovo, represented by Deputy Inspector General John Hamza Amadu, spoke at the 4th specialized meeting on Child Trafficking in West Africa, organised by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in Abuja.

"We must strive to eliminate factors that promote this evil act; some of them being poverty, obnoxious traditional practices of child fostering, seasonal labour migration and evil religious practices," he said.

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Josephine Anenih said efforts to combat trafficking of children must target rural communities where more people reside.

Founder of Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) Mrs. Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar said an effective tool which African countries must adopt to fight and eradicate child trafficking is adequate legislation and strong law enforcement.

Daily Trust

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First Lady gets citizen of distinction award

First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan was yesterday in Toronto, Canada, named the 2010 Citizen of Distinction by the Management of Toronto East General Hospital.

A statement issued by her Media Assistant, Ayo Adewuyi, said the honour was conferred on her during her visit to the hospital, which was part of events of the G-8 spouses programme holding in that country.

According to the statement, "It is in recognition of her continued support to the poor through her youth scholarship awards and medical support and assistance to children with heart conditions."

Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH), the statement noted, is a large Urban Full-Service Community Teaching Hospital providing comprehensive care to a diverse population of 400,000 people representing over 45,000 cultural and linguistic groups.

It said that the visit by the First Lady was the first of such by any visiting dignitary.

The 2010 Citizen of Distinction Award was presented to her by the Chief Executive Office of the hospital, Rob Devitt accompanied by the hospital Foundation chair, Teresa Vasilopolous and the top management of the hospital.

The First Lady, the statement said, assured the medical staff of the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to the realization of the three health related Millennium Development Goals namely, reduction of child and infant mortality; improving Maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS.

According to her, "As a mother, I recognize the hardship the women of Nigeria go through during child birth and I am working with relevant Government agencies to ensure our women enjoy the pleasure of motherhood."

She expressed the hope that the award which automatically makes her the Champion of Toronto East General Hospital would be the beginning of good working relationship with Nigerian Health Institutions, particularly the National hospital, Abuja.

She commended the efforts of the health workers for providing life-saving care for the patients particularly women and children, pointing out that the exploits of Professor Isa Odidi and Dr Leke Badmus-two Canadian-Nigerians- in Canadian health care delivery served as a testimony to Nigeria's capacity to participate globally in health related issues.

President of TEGH, Teresa Vasilopolous, said the visit represented the attention that the Hospital has been garnering on a national scale for its high quality patient care and many awards of excellence as the destination of "Healthcare Excellence."

This Day