Reps move to pass NFF bill for ‘development’ of football

A bill seeking to repeal the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Act and enact the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Act has passed second reading in the house of representatives.

Edward Pwajok, lawmaker from Plateau state and sponsor of the bill, speaking at plenary on Wednesday, explained that the amendment of the bill is the bring laws governing football in line with international best practices.

He said that some changes have been made to the bill that were not existing in the previous law.

“This bill seeks to repeal the Nigeria Football Association Act 2004 CAP 110 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, to enact the Nigeria Football Federation Act 2016,” Pwajok said.

“Following the declaration of the change of name of the association during the annual general meeting in July 2008 to the ‘Nigeria Football Federation’, the law regulating the federation needs to be changed to the Nigeria Football Federation Act as against the Nigeria Football Association Act. The main objective of this amendment is to bring our law in line with International best practices.

“Some of the changes that have been made which are not in the existing laws are to improve the game of football constantly and promote, regulate and control it throughout the territory of Nigeria in the light of fair play and its unifying educational, culture and humanitarian values, particularly through youth and development programmes.

“To develop, promote, control and regulate the sport of association football in all forms throughout the territory of Nigeria. To draw up regulations and provisions and ensure their enforcement. To protect the joint interest of its members.

“To respect and prevent any infringement of the status, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA, CAF, WAFU and NFF as well as the laws of the game and to ensure that these are also respected by its members.”

Contributing to the debate, Amuda Kannike, lawmaker from Kwara, said the bill was in order because there was no known law backing the NFF.

“I want to say that it is a very important bill and if we support the bill it would help the development of football and attract investment,” Kannike said.

The house passed the bill for second reading after Yakubu Dogara, the speaker, put it to a voice vote.

The bill was passed by the seventh senate but was not signed into law by former president, Goodluck Jonathan, before he left office because the house failed to concur.