BY ADENIJI SAMUEL ADEKUNLE
The Inspector General of Police, Dr. Olukayode Egbetokun on Wednesday heaped praises on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for their palpable dedication and commitment to the cause of football development in Nigeria, insisting that football is a game that unites all Nigerians across all known physical, mental and economic boundaries.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by a team of NFF chieftains led by the President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Egbetokun admitted that crime rate does decline around the country whenever any National Team or Club of choice of football adherents are on duty.
“The Nigeria Police Force recognizes and appreciates the potential of football to work wonders for national unity, social cohesion and economic growth. In truth, football has the capacity to take criminals away from the streets. It is no gainsaying that we record lower incidences of crime when football teams are doing their business.
“We promise to continue to support you to develop the game in our country to an excellent level, as we look forward to a more robust relationship with your organization.”
Earlier, the NFF President commended the Inspector General for swiftness at all times in deploying officers, men and materials to venues of football matches in the country, from the low cadres of the league to international matches.
“We are here because we appreciate the importance of security in all our activities, programmes and events. This is to physically express our deep appreciation for the job you have been doing in readily sending officers, men and materials to secure the venues of football matches in the country. Your officers and men have been doing excellent work for us.
“Our country is one of football-passionate citizens. We also plead with the Inspector General to revive the Police Football Team that was very strong in those days, and also to consider giving a special quota to sportsmen and women who want to enlist in the Police Force.”
Gusau thereafter informed the Inspector General that the world football-governing body, FIFA will soon dispatch to its Member Associations a new template for securing football venues, and that the NFF will need to provide special training in that regard to officers and men of the Force who are dedicated to providing security at match venues.
Present at the occasion were the top echelon of the Nigeria Police Force including four Deputy Inspectors-General, as well as NFF 1st Vice President Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; NFF 2nd Vice President Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye; Chairman of Technical Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa; General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; Director of Competitions, Ruth David; Head of Security, Barnabas Joro; AD Protocol, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi and; Abubakar Barde, special assistant to NFF President.
