By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-01-08 01:14:52
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is taking big steps to ensure a strong showing in international sporting events. At a recent board meeting, a five-man committee was established to prepare a competitive team for the African Games, the World Indoor Championship, and the Olympic Games in Paris. The committee is led by Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (rtd) and includes members such as the federation’s Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, Manta Haruna Mohammed, Mrs Maria Wophill, and Dr Solomon Alao, with an official from the AFN secretariat serving as its secretary.
Maria Wophill, a member of the committee, stated that they have been tasked with assembling a strong athletics squad, consisting of athletes from both within the country and abroad, to represent Nigeria at the aforementioned international events. Additionally, she revealed that the AFN board has dissolved all committees that have served for two years, in line with a decision made at the beginning of its tenure in 2021. The board approved its Safeguarding Policy Committee, aligned with the policy of World Athletics and established a three-man committee to develop appropriate Standard Operating Procedures for the new committees to be set up by the federation.
The three-member committee, headed by Dr. Solomon Alao, includes Prof Emmanuel Ojeme as another member. Their mandate is to establish SOPs and Terms of Reference for the new Committees, serving as their operational guidelines. Wophill further mentioned that the board discussed and commended the Audit Committee Report, but did not accept the recommendation that labeled funds loaned to the federation by President Chief Tonobok Okowa as ‘donations’. Instead, the board unanimously agreed to refund Chief Okowa his money as soon as funds become available, and also apply the same policy to other members who had loaned money to the Federation.
Addressing the recommendation by the Audit Committee that Secretary General Rita Mosindi be removed, Wophill stated that the board does not have the authority to dismiss the SG as it did not appoint her. The board noted Mosindi’s verbal and written apologies and observed that she has shown remorse and is committed to working with the board to achieve its goals. As a result, the board decided to reprimand her and advised her to avoid similar mistakes in the future.
Lastly, Wophill listed the board members who attended the zoom meeting, highlighting that Yusuf Liman Dahiru sent an apology from Saudi Arabia for his absence. The AFN is determined to take significant strides in international sporting events and is actively preparing a competitive team for various competitions, while also ensuring transparency and accountability within the organization.
