The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and newly elected CAF Executive Member, Amaju Pinnick has apologized to those he may have offended while pursuing his ambition to contest CAF executive seat.
He spoke on Friday, on arrival from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he defeated Moucharafu Anjorin of Benin Republic 34 to 17 votes during CAF elective congress to represent West Zone B in CAF.
Pinnick also thanked Nigerian Government for backing him as well as his Board members who were solidly behind him, assuring that Nigeria would benefit from his membership of CAF leadership.
His words, “There are a lot of things that will be going on in the next few days, but there will be tremendous improvement.
“UEFA, FIFA, Asia Federation are all happy about the new change, not just for Nigerians. Then as for Nigeria, of course I am now there, and Nigeria will be a major beneficiary of me being in CAF, I can assure you, on and off the pitch.
“We are not going to play a passive role, but an active role in the development of African football. I have been an integral part of this movement, and Nigeria will enjoy from this because whatever you see in CAF today started in Nigeria.
“You will see a lot of new things happening in the coming weeks, lots of inputs from UEFA, FIFA and the Conmebol. Other parts of the world are happy and have been contacting us. We have a blueprint which will be harmonized by an international consultant in the coming weeks.
“It’s been a long and tortuous journey. I will like to thank God for making this dream a reality, and I’m very happy about it. I will like to thank the Federal government for giving me that endorsement which was a tonic needed at that point.
“I also want to thank the Senate President who was supportive to my candidacy which has seen me become a member of the Executive Committee of CAF.
“I will also want to thank the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Obinna Ogba, who was there to support me. Members of my NFF Executive Committee led by Seyi Akinwunmi – they are priceless, they have been wonderful.
“I want to thank my host governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and the governor of my state, Ifeanyi Okowa.
“When I said it has been a tortuous journey, I meant for the last two months I have travelled to over 35 countries in Africa.
“I also want to apologise to people I may have offended during the course of my ambition to get into this position. I want to say I’m sorry. This will be a building block for us.
“There’s a new dawn in CAF and on behalf of CAF, I thank the former leadership under the guidance of Issa Hayatou. But now, there’s a new vista where a lot is expected from us.
“And on behalf of the new President Ahmad Ahmad, I say we will do our human extremes in making right so many wrongs, and taking African Football to the next level.
“I’m happy with the quality of people in the Executive Committee of CAF now. People that are driven only by passion are there now”.
Prompt News reports that during the CAF elective congress in Addis, Madagascar Football Boss, Ahmad Ahmad defeated the incumbent 34 to 20 votes to end the 29-year reign of Isa Hayatou as CAF president.
