Pinnick: It’s a new dawn in CAF

Newly elected CAF Executive Committee member and the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has assured that Nigerian football will benefit tremendously from the success of his election.
Amaju, who surpassed the achievements of his predecessors, Sani Lulu and Aminu Maigari, ousting Benin Republic’s Anjorin Moucharafu 34 to 17 votes, is now representing the West Zone B in the CAF Executive Committee, a tenure that will last from 2017 to 2021.
While dedicating his triumph to all Nigerians, Pinnick said on arrival from Addis Ababa on Friday, that he will see to it that Nigeria actively participate in the running and development of football in Africa.
“There are a lot of things that will be going on in the next few days, but there will be tremendous improvement,” Pinnick said.
“UEFA, FIFA, Asia Federation are all happy about the new change, not just for Nigerians. Then as for Nigeria, of course I am now there, and Nigeria will be a major beneficiary of me being in CAF. I can assure you, on and off the pitch.
“We are not going to play a passive role, but an active role in the development of African football. I have been an integral part of this movement, and Nigeria will enjoy from this because whatever you see in CAF today started in Nigeria.
“You will see a lot of new things happening in the coming weeks. Lots of input from UEFA, FIFA and the Conmebol. Other parts of the world are happy and have been contacting us. We have a blueprint which will be harmonized by an international consultant in the coming weeks.”
Pinnick also thanked everyone who supported him in his quest to achieve his dream.
“It’s been a long and tortuous journey. I will like to thank God for making this dream a reality, and I’m very happy about it. I will like to thank the Federal government for giving me that endorsement which was a tonic needed at that point. I also want to thank the Senate President who was supportive to my candidacy which has seen me become a member of the Executive Committee of CAF.
“I will also want to thank the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Obinna Ogba, who was there to support me. Members of my NFF Executive Committee led by Seyi Akinwunmi – they are priceless, they have been wonderful. I want to thank my host governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and the governor of my state, Ifeanyi Okowa.
“When I said it has been a tortuous journey, I meant for the last two months I have travelled to over 35 countries in Africa. I also want to apologise to people I may have offended during the course of my ambition to get into this position. I want to say I’m sorry. This will be a building block for us.
“There’s a new dawn in CAF and on behalf of CAF, I thank the former leadership under the guidance of Issa Hayatou. But now, there’s a new vista where a lot is expected from us. And on behalf of the new President Ahmad Ahmad, I say we will do our human extremes in making right so many wrongs, and taking African Football to the next level. I’m happy with the quality of people in the Executive Committee of CAF now. People that are driven only by passion are there now”.