The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, says the Nigerian government will support Amaju Pinnick, the Nigeria Football Federation’s President’s bid to contest a seat in the FIFA council election.

Mr. Dare made the pledge on Tuesday in Abuja when the NFF boss paid him a courtesy visit.

He said the federal government would give Mr. Pinnick the necessary support to fly Nigeria and Africa’s flag at the highest FIFA decision-making council.

The minister stressed the need for Pinnick to use his position and connections in CAF and FIFA to help promote and develop Nigeria and Africa football at all levels.

Earlier, Mr. Pinnick had thanked the minister and the government for the support in their bid to reposition Nigerian football.

The NFF boss also submitted a letter thanking the government for the support given him so far, pledging to be a good ambassador of Nigeria if elected into the FIFA Council.

Pinnick, a current member of the CAF Executive Committee, also used the occasion to thank Nigerians for all the support since he became NFF president in 2014.

The FIFA Council election is scheduled for March 12 in Morocco,

where Pinnick is vying for the only CAF anglophone slot.

The 37-member FIFA Council is the main decision-making body of the world football body that sets FIFA and global football vision.

Only two Nigerians, Amos Adamu, and Oyo Orok, had risen to FIFA Council members’ position in the past.

(NAN)