Highly respected proprietor of 36 Lion FC, Hajj Gaffar Olawale Liameed has promised an open-door policy, after officially taking over as the chairman of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA).
The body’s erstwhile vice-chairman, who has played a key role in exposing talented footballers to top European clubs, stated in his acceptance speech that all hands must be on deck to revive football in Lagos State.
He further called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders, to steady the ship and put an end to crises that had engulfed the LSFA since last year.
The soft-spoken, youthful football administrator and philanthropist sued for all round support, while admitting that he can not achieve the revival all alone.
This follows the impeachment of LSFA’s immediately past chairman, Ogbeni (Hon) Fouad Oki, who had all along faced a very long list of culpable allegations for almost a year.
Oki’s chequered reign eventually came to an end during an emergency Congress of the state FA on Saturday, where 12 out of 14 Congress members met and voted out the embattled former footballer.
This marked the climax of a long-drawn power tussle that began on October 17, 2023, when Oki was first suspended and soon after allegedly slapped Liameed, who was at that time the vice-chairman.
Ironically, that incident came barely five months after they were both unanimously voted into office at the expense of opponents that had previously been rated favourites for victory.
Fouad had been elected chairman in May 2023, after defeating former referees’ boss, Alhaji Tade Azeez 13-1, while Gaffar got the vote ahead of Dotun Coker.
However, things soon fell apart, and a catalogue of accusations was raised against Fouad, who had been considered all along as a politician foisted into football administration at the detriment of technical acumen and merit.
He was accused of gross misconduct, high handedness and violating regulations of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Oki had also been accused of failing to attend the NFF Congress, changing LSFA’s logo without approval of the board, as well as disregarding the streaming and branding rules of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Other charges brought against Oki, who is a member of one of Lagos’ traditional families, were infringements against recreational football and youth tournaments.
He was also accused of causing conflicts with Lagos State Sports Commission and clubs in the lower division, Nigeria National League (NNL).
In the aftermath of Saturday’s climax, the new man in charge of LSFA’s secretariat at Ogunlana Drive in Surulere has now promised to right all wrongs and bring the state back to what he labelled as its leadership position in Nigerian football.
“Together, we’ll bring back the glorious days of football in Lagos State. It won’t be business as usual. Together, we’ll work to ensure Lagos State is not left behind,” Gaffar said seconds after he was sworn in as LSFA’s new chairman on Saturday morning.
