Buhari hails Pinnick on new FIFA role, asks him to honour Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged Amaju Pinnick to enhance Nigeria’s reputation and identity as a football-loving country to the world.

Buhari spoke on Friday in a congratulatory message to the 50-year-old president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on his election into the FIFA executive council.

In a statement by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson, Buhari expressed his excitement that Pinnick’s “hard work, dedication, and consistency as an efficient football administrator” have paid off.

“The President said that by dint of hard work, dedication and consistency, Pinnick has proven to be an efficient football administrator and the world has taken notice of his competency skills by electing him into the FIFA Council and one of the Vice Presidents of the Confederation of African Football (CAF),” the statement read.

“The President notes that this feat of enhanced visibility and prestige of Nigeria in the international community is coming on the heels of recent elections of other well qualified and endowed Nigerians into strategic leadership positions in international organisations.

“The President urges Pinnick to see his new assignment as an opportunity to enhance Nigeria’s reputation and identity as a football-loving country and optimally utilise the role of sports, through football, as a driving force to engender development, peace and stability at the regional and international levels.

“As an active supporter of the round leather game, the President joins other enthusiastic fans in Nigeria and across the continent in wishing the NFF president the best in his new position.”