By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-01-03 03:25:35
The First Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tafida Gadzama, has asserted that the decision on whether the recent audit committee report is inconclusive or not rests solely with the federation’s board.
In response to AFN President Tonobok Okowa’s statement that the audit committee’s report was inconclusive, suggesting that the board would determine what to do with the report in its next meeting, Gadzama emphasized that the committee was established in accordance with article 14.3.3 of the AFN constitution (2023 as amended). This gives the executive board the authority to investigate the federation’s finances, and also to accept, partially accept, or reject the recommendations of the audit committee.
Gadzama clarified the process, stating, “The executive board of the AFN set up the audit committee, which I chaired, and the committee submitted its report on October 31, 2023. The board at its meeting of December 10, 2024, deliberated on the report with the majority of members applauding the committee for doing a thorough job.” He also noted that the meeting had been recorded, and contrary to the President’s remarks, the report was well received by the majority of the board members.
The statement also revealed discrepancies between the President’s remarks and the actual events that transpired during the meeting. Specifically, Gadzama stated, “For instance, the president apologized to board members over the N40 million he got refunded from the N70 million the federation received as a sponsorship fee from Premium Trust Bank, albeit the events sponsored by the president were not captured in the agreement.”
Gadzama also disclosed that some board members sought clemency for the secretary general during the meeting, despite unanimous agreement that she had failed in her duties, as outlined in the report. The audit committee had recommended that the secretary general be redeployed by her employers, the Sports Ministry, among other suggestions.
In conclusion, Gadzama emphasized the authority of the executive board in dealing with the audit committee’s report and refuted the claims of the President that the report was inconclusive.
