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Amaju Pinnick

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Amaju Pinnick
First Vice President of
the Confederation of African Football
In office
September 2018 – July 2019
Preceded byKwesi Nyantakyi
Succeeded byConstant Omari
President of the Nigeria Football Federation
In office
October 2014 – October 2022
Preceded byAminu Maigari
Succeeded byIbrahim M. Gusau
Chair of Delta State Football Association
In office
2010–2014
Personal details
Born
Amaju Melvin Pinnick

(1970-12-01) 1 December 1970 (age 53)[1]
Mid-Western Region, Nigeria (now Delta State, Nigeria)
ResidenceLagos
Alma materUniversity of Benin
OccupationFootball administrator
businessman[2][3]
Websiteamajumelvinpinnick.com

Amaju Melvin Pinnick (born 1 December 1970) is a Nigerian football administrator,[4] who was president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from 2014 to 2022. He was elected NFF president in September 2014 and reelected on 20 September 2018. He was also First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from September 2018 to July 2019, and a member of the Organising Committee for FIFA competitions.

Career

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Nigeria Football Federation

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Pinnick started his career as the chair of the Delta Sports Commission in 2010.[5] Subsequently, he was appointed chair of Delta State Football Association in 2011.[6][7][8] On 30 September 2014 he was elected President of the Nigeria Football Federation.[9][10][11][12][4] On 20 September 2018, he was re-elected for another four-year term in office in the NFF Elective Congress held in Katsina.[13][14][15][16] His administration has seen the successful passage of the Nigeria Football Federation Bill through the National Assembly of Nigeria currently awaiting passage into Law by the President Muhammadu Buhari's assent.[17][18] Remo Star FC player's death tragedy to football family, says Pinnick[19] NFF set to restructure secretariat, allays fears over coronavirus[20] NFF restates commitment to partners, renews pact with Simba[21] Gernot Rohr must accept salary in naira, stay in Nigeria, says NFF[22][23] NFF mourns executive member, Chidi Okenwa[24] Football Brownhill Foundation gives palliatives to communities amid lockdown[25] NFF reposes confidence in Rohr, explains delayed deal[26] Pinnick explains NFF's decision to stick with Rohr[27] NFF president promises more support for Super Falcons[28] Pinnick restates commitment to football development, reaffirms decision to stand down[29] No going back on programmes to develop Nigerian leagues, says Pinnick[30]

FIFA, CAF, and AFCON

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On 19 January 2017 Amaju Pinnick was appointed member of the organizing committee for FIFA competitions.[31][32][33] He was also elected into the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee on 16 March 2017.[34][35][36] Subsequently, on 8 May 2017 he was appointed President of AFCON.[37] He became the First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football as well in September 2018, replacing Kwesi Nyantakyi.[38][39] On 19 July 2019, CAF President Ahmad Ahmad decided not to re-nominate Pinnick for as the First Vice President role, which is due for election every two years, citing differences in focus and direction for CAF. Pinnick accepted the decision and Constant Omari replaced him as successor.[40][41] He was the 2016 The Sun (Nigeria) Newspapers Sports Personality of Year Award winner,[42] and also in 2018 which he shared the award with Nigeria national football team Head Coach, Gernot Rohr.[43]

FIFA Council Membership

On 12 March 2021, Amaju Pinnick secured a seat in the FIFA Council[44][45] the highest decision-making organ in world football following a victory against Malawian FA president Walter Nyamilandu, who was the incumbent by 43 votes to 8 during the CAF General Assembly held in Rabat, Morocco.[46][47]

He is the third Nigerian elected into the council after Oyo Orok Oyo (1980-1988) and Amos Adamu (2006-2010). Amaju Pinnick had earlier dropped his ambition to run for the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Presidency after throwing his weight behind South Africa billionaire, Patrice Motsepe.[48]

Court sack

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On 8 April 2016 a Federal High Court in Plateau State invalidated the 2014 NFF Presidential election this was as a result of a petition by his opponent Chris Giwa.[49] After the court ruling, Chris Giwa was announced legitimate winner of the election but on 11 April 2016 FIFA wrote NFF stating that the court was interfering with matters of the Nigeria Football Federation and that if the ruling was not overturned Nigeria would face FIFA ban.[50][51] In July 2016, then President Goodluck Jonathan appealed to Chris Giwa to withdraw the case, announcing Amaju Pinnick the President of the NFF.[52]

Fraud allegations

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On 5 January 2019 publications were made by several news agencies alleging fraud in the NFF. Pinnick was also supposedly placed on a travel ban by the Department of State Security pending an investigation that was reportedly ordered by former President Muhammadu Buhari.[53] On 6 January 2019, the Presidency of Nigeria made a press release stating that it had neither ordered the arrest or placed a travel ban on the NFF president.[54][55]

$8.4 million fraud

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On 2 May 2019 a Nigerian court ordered the NFF to provide the chargesheet for Amaju Pinnick in an alleged FIFA grant scandal.[56] On 7 May 2019, the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property filed a 17- count charge against Pinnick, Seyi Akinwunmi, Shehu Dikko, Ahmed Yusuf and Mohammed Sanusi all officials of the NFF. Pinnick among three others were charged for allegedly misappropriating $8.4 million paid by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to NFF for appearance fee at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Pinnick is also charged with not declaring his assets according to the Code of Conduct Bureau Act.[57][58][59] In Pinnick's defense, the NFF stated that their PricewaterhouseCoopers audited accounts was published publicly and FIFA has the exclusive rights and competence to investigate and judge the conduct of persons bound by their code of ethics as regards to funds[60] and that their petition against the allegation had been filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja.[61]

Personal life and education

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Pinnick was born on 1 December 1970[62][63] into a polygamous family of nineteen children.[64] Amaju Pinnick is married to Julie Pinnick and they have four children.[65] Pinnick first attended Hussey College Warri where he obtained his West African School Certificate.[66] In 1994, Pinnick obtained his BSc in Political science and Public administration from the University of Benin.[67][68] He is a Business man[2][3][62] and a nephew to Chief Joe and Late Pa Johnson O. S. Ayonmike through his mother, Madam Rebecca Pinnick (née Ayonmike).[62]

Facial scars

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Pinnick sustained facial injuries during a St. Valentine's Day party he hosted for couples in 2011 after a firework exploded in his face at his residence in Warri, Delta State. The domestic accident affected his cheekbones[69] and eardrums which required 14 surgeries to fix in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Shell Nigeria Area, Ogunu, Warri, for 10 days.[64]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ FIFA.com. "FIFA Council Members". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 17 March 2021.[dead link]
  2. ^ a b "Brownhill Group". Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Meet our Team". Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Amaju Pinnick: The making of a football technocrat". goal.com. Archived from the original on 3 January 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  5. ^ vanguard (4 January 2011). "THE DELTA RE-RUN: The three horse race". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  6. ^ "Injured Delta FA Boss To Be Flown Abroad". P.M. News. 21 February 2011. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  7. ^ alexsamade (18 May 2013). "Secrets of Delta State's leadership in sports – Pinnick". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  8. ^ "Warri Wolves recall suspended Vice Chairman". The Nation Nigeria. 17 June 2013. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  9. ^ "Pinnick elected Nigeria Football Federation president". 30 September 2014. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  10. ^ Inyang, Ifreke (30 September 2014). "Amaju Pinnick elected new NFF President". Daily Post Nigeria. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  11. ^ "Pinnick elected Nigeria Football Federation president". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 3 October 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  12. ^ "Amaju Pinnick". naij. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  13. ^ "Amaju Pinnick re-elected NFF president". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Amaju Pinnick wins NFF election". Punch Newspapers. 20 September 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  15. ^ "Amaju Pinnick returns as president for next 4 years". pulse.ng. 20 September 2018. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  16. ^ "Amaju Pinnick retains post as president of the Nigeria Football Federation". 20 September 2018. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  17. ^ – Nigerian Senate passes NFF Bill.
  18. ^ – Nigerian Senate passes NFF Establishment bill.
  19. ^ "Remo Star FC player's death tragedy to football family, says Pinnick".
  20. ^ "NFF set to restructure secretariat, allays fears over coronavirus".
  21. ^ "NFF restates commitment to partners, renews pact with Simba". guardian.ng. 16 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Rohr must accept salary in naira, stay in Nigeria, says NFF". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  23. ^ "Rohr must accept salary in naira, stay in Nigeria, says NFF". guardian.ng. 7 April 2020.
  24. ^ "NFF mourns executive member, Chidi Okenwa".
  25. ^ "Brownhill Foundation gives palliatives to communities amid lockdown". guardian.ng. 4 May 2020.
  26. ^ "NFF reposes confidence in Rohr, explains delayed deal". guardian.ng. 28 May 2020.
  27. ^ "Pinnick explains NFF's decision to stick with Rohr".
  28. ^ "NFF president promises more support for Super Falcons".
  29. ^ "Pinnick restates commitment to football development, reaffirms decision to stand down".
  30. ^ "No going back on programmes to develop Nigerian leagues, says Pinnick". guardian.ng. 16 February 2021.
  31. ^ "FIFA Appoints NFF President Into Organising Committee for Competitions". Channels Television. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  32. ^ "Nigeria football chief Pinnick gets FIFA appointment". Premium Times Nigeria. 19 January 2017. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  33. ^ "NFF president gets FIFA appointment". pulse.ng. 19 January 2017. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  34. ^ Warami, Urowayino (16 March 2017). "Pinnick wins CAF Exco seat". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  35. ^ "CAF elections: All the results, winners and losers". The Eagle Online. 16 March 2017. Archived from the original on 20 December 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  36. ^ admin (4 April 2017). "CAF Election: Dangote Congratulates Amaju Pinnick". THISDAYLIVE. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  37. ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (8 May 2017). "Amaju Pinnick appointed President of AFCON, Media Committees of CAF". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  38. ^ "Caf don use Nigeria FA President replace Nyantakyi as vice president". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  39. ^ "Nigeria Football Federation boss Amaju Pinnick replaces Kwesi Nyantakyi as Caf vice president | Goal.com". Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  40. ^ Chad, Lawson. "Nigeria's Amaju Pinnick is dismissed as Caf vice-president | ThePatriot". Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  41. ^ Ezekute, Nnamdi (18 July 2019). "How Pinnick Lost His CAF 1st Vice President Position". Complete Sports. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  42. ^ "Pinnick dedicates The Sun award to Eagles, other national teams". 22 February 2016.
  43. ^ – Pinnick Rohr win accolades Sun newspaper awards Archived 26 August 2019 at the Wayback Machine.
  44. ^ "NFF President Pinnick wins Fifa Council seat by a landslide | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  45. ^ FIFA.com. "Who We Are - News - Patrice Motsepe elected CAF President as Africa united behind common objective". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  46. ^ "Pinnick wins FIFA Council election". Punch Newspapers. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  47. ^ "#CAFElections2021: Pinnick wins seat in FIFA's executive council". 12 March 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  48. ^ "NFF Boss Amaju Pinnick declares candidacy for FIFA Council and backs Africa's 10th richest man Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe for CAF Presidency". Pulse Nigeria. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  49. ^ Ahmadu, Samuel. "Court sacks Pinnick's Nigeria Football Federation board, Giwa takes over | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  50. ^ "BREAKING: FIFA set to ban Nigeria". P.M. News. 11 April 2016. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  51. ^ Deolu (11 April 2016). "FIFA Writes Letter To NFF, Threatens To Ban Nigeria If Amaju Pinnick Is Removed As NFF President". INFORMATION NIGERIA. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  52. ^ "Appeal Court dismisses Giwa's suit against NFF". Punch Newspapers. 26 July 2016. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  53. ^ says, Jasper (5 January 2019). "NFF President Amaju Pinnick in trouble, Buhari orders his prosecution for fraud". P.M. News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  54. ^ Eludini, Tunde (6 January 2019). "Presidency reacts to fraud allegations against Pinnick". Premium Times Nigeria. Archived from the original on 11 March 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  55. ^ "Amaju Pinnick and Presidency debunk reports of arrest and prosecution of the NFF boss". pulse.ng. 7 January 2019. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  56. ^ "Pressure builds on Nigeria's Pinnick as court orders NFF to provide previous charge sheet". Inside World Football. 2 May 2019. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  57. ^ "FG charges Pinnick with '$8.4m fraud'". TheCable. 7 May 2019. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  58. ^ Jannah, Chijioke (7 May 2019). "BREAKING: FG drags Amaju Pinnick, four others to court for alleged corruption". Daily Post Nigeria. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  59. ^ "Nigerian govt arraigns FA Chairman Pinnick over alleged fraud". Premium Times Nigeria. 7 May 2019. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  60. ^ "Nigeria Football Federation dismiss corruption charges". Goal. 8 May 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  61. ^ "NFF denies alleged charges by FG/". Brilla. 8 May 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  62. ^ a b c title= amajumelvinpinnick.com.
  63. ^ Bello, Aderonke (28 August 2015). "Ten Facts You Never Knew About The NFF President Amaju Pinnick". Legit.ng – Nigeria news. Archived from the original on 21 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  64. ^ a b "I would have been an excellent footballer if I had a good coach –Amaju Pinnick". Punch Newspapers. 17 December 2017. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  65. ^ NFF president Amaju Pinnick shares adorable family photos.
  66. ^ adekunle (7 November 2012). "Chukwu, Okocha inspire school footballers". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  67. ^ "Amaju Pinnick, others For UNIBEN Alumni Awards". guardian.ng. 25 August 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  68. ^ "Post UNIBEN honours NFF President and others for sports excellence". aitonline.tv. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  69. ^ "Injured Delta FA Boss to be flown abroad". PM News. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
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