NFF’s reconciliation committee urges players’ unions to embrace peace

Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)

• Edo recommits to grassroots sports development

Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Reconciliation Committee, Comrade Philip Shaibu, who is also Edo State deputy governor, has called on members of the All Nigerian Football Players Union (ANFPU) and the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) to bury the hatchet and settle lingering issues, which has hampered the smooth running and progress of the unions.

The five-man committee recently inaugurated by the NFF board to look into the misunderstanding between the ANFPU and PFAN, opened discussions for a truce, yesterday, in Benin City.

Other members of the committee include, Mr. Emmanuel Okala, Dr. Felix Owolabi-Akinloye and Mr. Garba Lawal, with Mr. Abdulrafiu Yusuf as Secretary.

Shaibu, who addressed members of ANFPU and PFAN, during the meeting at the Government House, urged them to be united and act in good faith to address challenges facing both retired and active football players.

According to him: “We are happy to have you here as we work together, collaborate and unite to fight our challenges, ensuring that we move forward as players and ex-players.

“As members of this committee, we are expected to work with members of the two unions and reconcile our differences. We have strong unions that will take care of all, both retired and active players.

“We must take up the responsibility of filing cases, paying the bills of players, and preventing physical molestation of players and ex-players. The union is also to shield and protect players from signing fake or slave contracts. As leaders of a strong union, we should be able to deal with issues that threaten our welfare and means of livelihood.”

He added: “For the