President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has reiterated that his administration is committed to providing more opportunities for women to enhance their capacity and also find gainful employment within the Nigeria football ecosystem as they develop themselves.

Speaking on Monday at the opening ceremony of the three-module CAF-C License Coaching Course (exclusively for women) in Abuja, Gusau stated that football being for all – men, women, young and old – the present NFF administration will always support women coaches to get employment with either government-owned, privately-owned or community-owned clubs after building their capacity to a certain level.

“FIFA has been putting much premium on women football over the years, and we are also happy to follow suit. Women football continues to grow worldwide, and our country should not be any different. Whatever we are doing, without training those who train the footballers, we are not doing anything meaningful. Those who train the players must continuously improve their own capacity in knowledge of modern tactics and techniques in order to make our teams much better.

“This is the whole essence of the women-exclusive CAF-C License Course. By next year, we hope to conduct a CAF-B Course, and by the following year, perhaps a CAF-A Course.”

Gusau pledged that the men will not be neglected, as there are plans for a CAF-C program for them in a number of weeks.

NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen praised the leadership of the Federation for always treating favourably, and with dispatch, all memos related to coaching education. He also confirmed that the program is in three modules, with the first module 15^th – 25^th July, to be followed by a two-week internship for the participants between 27^th July – 7^th August. The participants will return to Abuja for the second module that is scheduled for 12^th – 20^th August, after which they will go on another two-week internship, 23^rd August – 4^th September.

The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place 9^th – 19^th September.

Dr. Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, NFF’s Head of Education, is among the coach educators’ team, which also includes Coaches Isah Ladan Bosso, Wemimo Olanrewaju and Lanrence Ndaks.

Among the 30 participants are former Super Falcons’ stars Precious Dede, Joy Jegede, Esther Michael, Maureen Eke, Otas Ogbonmwan, Vera Okolo, Cecilia Nku, Taiwo Ajobiewe, Gloria Ofoegbu and Amenze Aighewi. There are also Barr. Victoria Nlemigbo and retired FIFA referee Folusho Ajayi.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi advised the participants to dedicate themselves fully to improving themselves through the program, as opportunities abound within the Nigerian and African football environments for qualified, competent and ambitious coaches.

Also at the event were NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; Director of Competitions, Ruth David; Deputy Director, Technical Mrs Faith Ben-Anuge; Assistant Director, Technical Abdulrafiu Yusuf; Chief Technical Officer Garba Lawal; SA to GS Mohammed Adebayo Ameenu; COO of Nigeria Women Football League, Modupe Shabi and; NFF Head of Admin, Kut-Kut Fon.      

PHOTO: Gusau and Sanusi with NFF Management, coach educators, resource persons and participants at the opening of the CAF-C License Coaching Course in Abuja on Monday.  

Elegbeleye, Oloworemo, Coker hail Gusau’s grassroots football gospel

Foremost football chieftains from the South West of the country have extolled the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for his strong faith and commitment to development of the game from the grassroots, insisting that there is no other route to the growth of a robust football economy.

NFF 2^nd Vice President and Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, who was on the tour of the zone with Gusau at the weekend, said the Gusau administration’s commitment to grassroots football development and its constant advocacy in this regard will not wane, as it is the only way to go for real growth of the round-leather game.

“We cannot deceive ourselves; the path to true growth is from the grassroots. The NFF President has spoken well. It is left for our administrators at the State FAs and local football councils to hearken to the call and do the right thing.”

Chairman of the Ekiti State FA, Mr. Oluwole Oloworemo, spoke in the same vein. “Attempting to climb the tree from the top will always be a pipe dream. Grassroots development is the real thing.”

Mr. Dotun Coker, vice chairman of the Lagos FA, who stood in for the chairman, Hajji Gafar Olawale Liameed on the tour, added: “In Lagos, we have been devoted to development of the game from the grassroots for decades now. The NFF President’s gospel sits pretty well with us, and I believe it is the way to go.”  

PHOTO 1: NFF President Gusau (left) with the Ooni of Ife, Kabiyesi Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 1 at the Ooni’s Palace, with NFF 2^nd VP Elegbeleye (right).

PHOTO 2: Gusau (middle) with Elegbeleye (5^th from right), Majekodunmi (4^th from right), Dele-Ajayi (4^th from left), Engineer Adeleke (6^th from left), Kabiyesi Odeniran (5^th from left), Oloworemo (3^rd from right), Fanawopo (2^nd from right), Coker (3^rd from left) and other football stakeholders when Gusau visited Osun State at the weekend.