Apparently aware of the huge task that awaits referees handed FIFA badges each season, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has asked international referees from the country to respect the integrity regulations expected of them.
President of the Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick gave the advice at the 2021 FIFA Badging Ceremony at the Conference Hall of the Goal Project, Abuja on Thursday.
Amaju who was represented at the occasion by an Executive Committee member and Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Inuwa Sheriff Alhan, said that the FIFA referees have become Nigeria’s ambassadors who should consider the image of the country when called upon to discharge their duties.
The international referees were further told to showcase the rare qualities that made them be found worthy of consideration for the elite refereeing status.
According to him, the Federation is happy with the performances of Nigeria both at international and domestic scenes warranting their welfare to become an issue of concern.
The Federation revealed plans to adequately handle issues related to outstanding match Indemnities involving match officials in the leagues.
The NFF General Secretary, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed in his speech added that referees need to imbibe ethical machinations to display high-level integrity expected of them.
He said that the 3Rs of Integrity should be consciously applied. The Federation scribe enjoined the referees to Recognise an attempt to induce them, not just to Resist such an attempt but also to Report such an attempt to appropriate authorities.
Dr. Sanusi Mohammed further averred that the NFF is seeking more FIFA slots from CAF and FIFA based on good performances of Nigerian referees at the international scene.
Earlier, President of the NRA, Otunba Tade Azeez, who kick-started the speeches explained that the Badging Ceremony is an annual ritual meant to decorate arbiters who are recognized by the world football governing body as FIFA referees. He said that the NRA has always been available to work for the interest of the members advising that international badges call for more challenges in their refereeing career.
Otunba Tade Azeez asked them to make use of the chances provided to reach the apogee of their International career before retirement.
He further urged them to be good ambassadors.
Apart from the two new women referees; Yemi Akintoye and Beauty Tera badged as Referee and Assistant Referee respectively, the list has for male referees; Adebimpe Quadri, Basheer Salisu, Joseph Ogabor, Abdulahi Abubakar, Nurudeen Abubakar and Grema Mohammed as Usman Isah, Peter Pwadutakam, Efosa Celestine, Peter Ogwu, Digbori Tejiri, Abdulmajeed Usman Olaide and Hope Egho are the male Assistants Referees.
In the women, category are Patience Ndidi Madu, Hannah Eliagwu, and Olufumulayo Alaba (Referees), while Women Assistants are Mimisen Iyorhe, Abibatu Yusuf, and Mfom Akpan.
Others also badged are Paul Umuago, Musa Dung Davou, Ndubuisi Uka and Bello Zuru Alhassan for Futsal Soccer FIFA referees.
Beach Soccer FIFA referees are Ogunmuyiwa Jelili, Olaide Olayinka, Brig-Gen Fawole Olawale, and Rabiu Ahmad
