Guardian

NIGERIA Football Federation President, Aminu Maigari and former Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Oyuiki Obaseki, has thrown their weight behind the newly appointed Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye, saying the former lawmaker would succeed in his new post.

President Goodluck Jonathan announced Elegbeleye as the new NSC director general with immediate effect last week during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

Speaking on the appointment of the former Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Maigari, who is Germany overseeing the Super Eagles’ preparation for both the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and the FIFA Confederations Cup, said:  “I Know Gbenga Elegbeleye to be very passionate about sports, most especially the game of football. I have had the opportunity to work with him and I know that he has something to offer Nigerian sports.

“My advice to him is that he should continue the way he is doing that has fetched him this appointment. When he was Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, he did very well and we were proud of him. I would urge him to improve on this and work hard to improve sports in the country.”

Obaseki also commended President Goodluck Jonathan on the appointment of the new NSC chief, saying, “Firstly, I like to commend President Goodluck Jonathan for his vision in appointing Gbenga Elegbeleye as the new Director General of the NSC.

“My sincere advice to him is that he should not follow the footsteps of others, who went there only to steal money. He should articulate his plans and execute it without fear or favour because if he succeeds we will all praise him. If he fails, God forbid, we will castigate him.”