Harrison Jalla
Still on the build up to the preparation and participation of Nigeria in the 2018 FIFA world cup in Russia.
Despite the huge resources committed by the Federal government, FIFA, CAF, donations and sponsorships received by the NFF for preparation and participation in the world cup. Suspects of the NFF misappropriated funds and principal officers of the NFF still devised means to swindle state governments particularly South-South states by double budgeting.
In a three page letter (attached) with reference NO.NFF/OGS/GEN/VOL XIX/038 dated 5th September 2017 addressed to His Excellency Mr Udom Emmanuel the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom state. The letter titled ” REQUEST FOR CAMPING OF SENIOR MEN’S NATIONAL ( SUPER EAGLES) AND HOSTING OF THE 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFYING MATCH: NIGERIA VS ZAMBIA”.
This practice was the order between 2014-2022 and it cuts across all categories of the National teams and funds obtained from the states don’t usually go through the NFF accounts.
The attached letter contains a 20 items list demand including $60,000 for payment of match bonuses of the super Eagles players and officials it also includes the sum of N30,000,000 as match right fee which will be used for organisational logistics. Sadly all the 20 items listed in this letter have been appropriated by the National Assembly to the NFF budget for the 2018 world cup.
The states who are victims of these double budgeting are: Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo and Lagos states.
The very reason why FIFA, CAF grants became freebies within the period under review. Our mission is short and simple recover all looted funds to the NFF treasury.
