Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
FORMER Nigerian international footballer Sam Sodje has congratulated Samson Adamu on his confirmation as the substantive General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), describing the appointment as a significant milestone for Nigerian football administration.
Sodje said Adamu’s appointment was worthy of celebration by Nigerians, particularly football enthusiasts, as it represented an opportunity for the country to strengthen its presence in continental football administration.
In a congratulatory message, Sodje noted that Nigeria, with its enormous football following and ambition to develop the sport, needed competent representatives in positions of authority within football’s governing bodies.
He stressed that having Nigerians in influential administrative positions was particularly important at a time when decisions taken by football governing bodies increasingly shaped the policies, direction and management of the game across the world.
According to him, Adamu’s appointment goes beyond personal achievement, as it also presents an opportunity for Nigeria to have a stronger voice in decisions affecting football on the continent.
“This appointment is not just for the benefit of Mr Samson Adamu but for the benefit of Nigeria, as we now have a young, competent Nigerian in the room and at the table where decisions on the administration of football activities on the continent are being made,” Sodje said.
The former international added that Adamu’s new position could help strengthen Nigeria’s representation in discussions on continental football administration and issues affecting the country’s football sector.
He also congratulated the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the wider Nigerian football community on the development, describing it as a moment of pride for the country.
Sodje expressed optimism that Adamu’s presence at the CAF secretariat would help ensure that the concerns and interests of Nigerian football stakeholders received appropriate attention at the continental level and in matters involving the global football governing body, FIFA.
He wished the new CAF General Secretary a successful and productive tenure, expressing hope that his leadership would contribute positively to the development of Nigerian football.
“Once again, a very big congratulations to our new General Secretary and, of course, Nigeria,” Sodje said, wishing Adamu a rewarding tenure that would benefit Nigerian football.
