The second batch of Nigerian referees to be sponsored on a capacity building programme in the United Kingdom returned to the country on Thursday, full of appreciation to the Amaju Pinnick-led Board of Nigeria Football Federation.
The referees completed an eight-day training programme in the United Kingdom and departed Heathrow Airport, London for Lagos on Wednesday night aboard an ARIK Airline flight, arriving Lagos on Thursday morning.
Arriving in London on Monday, 26th January, the delegation rode by bus to Sheffieldshire in the northern part of England and was warmly received by staff of the Champneys Health Resorts.
Made up of 18 referees and the Chairman of NFF Referees Committee (Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, who led the team), Chairman of the Nigeria Referees Association (Alhaji Ahmed Maude), Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau and FIFA Technical Advisor (Refereeing) and NFF Consultant on Refereeing, Mr. Linus Mba, the contingent members found their home for the duration of the training a very appropriate environment for the programme, away from any kind of distraction. The facility is used by The FA, from time to time, for their National Teams, visiting international teams as well as some local clubs.
Mr. Tunde Adelakun, the Director of CAF Football Hall of Fame, who organized the training programme on behalf of the NFF, disclosed that he assembled some of the best and experienced English Referees’ Instructors, who belong to a consortium of former referees who formed an outfit known as You Are the Ref. International Ltd. with its Head Office in Sheffield.
Among these were Jack Waugh (a Director of the outfit), Roger Dilkes (a former Professional League referee), Keith Hackett (a former General Manager of the Professional League Referees Management Company) and Mark Hasdey (a very experienced English League Referee who spent considerable time in interaction sessions with the Nigerian referees).
The referees who made the trip: Abosede Momoh; Uloma Nneka Nwogu; Hadiza Musa; Paul Umuago; Jelili Ogunmuyiwa; Ibrahim Umar Fagge; Jeremiah Akure; Francis Agbaegbu; Mohammed Ahmed Rufai; Ishiaku Ibrahim; Iheanacho Chukwuemeka; Dele Atoun; Obieze Okiridu; Sunny Atu; Sani Mohammed; Jibrin Isah and; Mohammed Aliyu Jibgi.
