NFF Pres. Gusau pledges continued support for women’s football at all levels

Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has stated that his administration is committed to providing more opportunities for women to improve their capacity and find gainful employment within the Nigerian football ecosystem as they develop themselves.

Speaking on Monday at the opening ceremony of the three-module CAF-C License Coaching Course (exclusively for women) in Abuja, Gusau stated that football being for all—men, women, young and old—the present NFF administration will always support women coaches to get employment with either government-owned, privately-owned, or community-owned clubs after building their capacity to a certain level.

He said: “FIFA has been putting a lot of premium on women’s football over the years, and we are also happy to follow suit.

“Women’s football continues to grow worldwide, and our country should not be any different. Whatever we are doing, without training those who train the footballers, we are not doing anything meaningful.

“Those who train the players must continuously improve their own capacity for knowledge of modern tactics and techniques in order to make our teams much better.

“This is the whole essence of the women-exclusive CAF-C License Course. By next year, we hope to conduct a CAF-B course, and by the following year, perhaps a CAF-A course.”

Gusau promised not to overlook the men, announcing plans for a CAF-C programme for them in the coming weeks.

Coach Augustine Eguavoen, NFF Technical Director, praised the Federation’s leadership for always treating all memos related to coaching education favorably and promptly.

He also confirmed that the programme consists of three modules, the first of which begins on July 15–25 and ends with a two-week internship for participants from July 27 to August 7.

The participants will return to Abuja for the second module that is scheduled for August 12–20, after which they will go on another two-week internship, August 23–4.

The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place on September 9–19.

Dr. Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, NFF’s Head of Education, is among the coach educators’ team, which also includes coaches Isah Ladan Bosso, Wemimo Olanrewaju, and Lanrence Ndaks.

Among the 30 participants are former Super Falcons’ stars Precious Dede, Joy Jegede, Esther Michael, Maureen Eke, Otas Ogbonmwan, Vera Okolo, Cecilia Nku, Taiwo Ajobiewe, Gloria Ofoegbu, and Amenze Aighewi.

Additionally, Barr. Victoria Nlemigbo and retired FIFA referee Folusho Ajayi are among the participants.

The NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, advised the participants to dedicate themselves fully to improving themselves through the programme, as opportunities abound within the Nigerian and African football environments for qualified, competent, and ambitious coaches.

Also at the event were NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; Director of Competitions, Ruth David; Deputy Director, Technical, Mrs Faith Ben-Anuge; Assistant Director, Technical, Abdulrafiu Yusuf; Chief Technical Officer, Garba Lawal; SA to GS Mohammed Adebayo Ameenu; COO of the Nigeria Women Football League, Modupe Shabi; and NFF Head of Administration, Kut-Kut Fon.

Foremost football chieftains from the south-west of the country have extolled the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, for his strong faith and commitment to the development of the game from the grassroots, insisting that there is no other route to the growth of a robust football economy.

NFF 2nd Vice President and Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Gbenga Elegbeleye, who was on the tour of the zone with Gusau at the weekend, said the Gusau administration’s commitment to grassroots football development and its constant advocacy in this regard will not wane, as it is the only way to go for real growth of the round-leather game.

“We cannot deceive ourselves; the path to true growth is from the grassroots. The NFF President has spoken well. It is left for our administrators at the State FAs and local football councils to hearken to the call and do the right thing.”

The chairman of the Ekiti State FA, Mr. Oluwole Oloworemo, spoke in the same vein.

“Attempting to climb the tree from the top will always be a pipe dream. Grassroots development is the real thing.”

Mr. Dotun Coker, vice chairman of the Lagos FA, who stood in for the chairman, Hajji Gafar Olawale Liameed, on the tour, added: “In Lagos, we have been devoted to the development of the game from the grassroots for decades now. The NFF President’s gospel sits pretty well with us, and I believe it is the way to go.”