By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Benue State Football Association (BSFA) has hailed the appointment of its compatriots into the various standing and ad-hoc committees set up by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
A list of the committees made public by the NFF Communications Department on Tuesday, showed that up to three Benue State – born football veterans including BSFA Chairman Barr. Paul Edeh, top-ranking NFF executive board member Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen and Mrs Margaret Aku were named to serve in five committees.
While Rt. Hon. Icheen historically became the first Benue indigene to be drafted into three Committees simultaneously as the Chairman Protocol and Ceremonial, Vice Chairperson Finance and a Member Establishment committees, Barr. Edeh, a renowned philanthropist and the only founder of two women clubs in Nigeria – Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers, is now a member of the NFF’s Legal Committee.
Mrs Aku was appointed into the Women Committee of the country football Federation.
Upon the release of the list of those who were carefully chosen to serve in the committees, both FA board members and indeed other football-loving people of Benue State took turns to reach out to the appointees in an outpour of congratulatory messages.
Benue FA Chairman, Barr. Edeh, while acknowledging NFF for the confidence reposed on the people of the state, said time has come for football to witness robust development in its length and breath.
“I particularly want to congratulate our great Ambassador Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen who was the immediate Chairperson of Benue FA and now NFF executive board member.
“It is gratifying to know and note that the current NFF leadership is living up expectation by giving her the opportunity to serve in three different committees. Indeed, her experience and steadfastness in administering football from Benue to the entire country have been visible and worthy of commendation and emulation.
“I also congratulate Mrs Margaret Aku who is also another woman to reckon with when it comes to her passion for women football anywhere, anytime.
“I have always emphasised that developing football takes so much human and capital investment, application and management. This is the path that everyone passionate football developer, be you a coach or an administrator should follow.
“And as a state FA, we are always committed to drawing down NFF’s vision in ensuring grassroots football development in all local governments and communities in Benue state, with a firm assurance that we will not disappoint even as Benue representatives in the various committees,” Barr. Edeh who is also the President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation said in a statement on Thursday
