Amaju Pinnick Explained

Amaju Pinnick
Office:First Vice President of
the Confederation of African Football
Term Start:September 2018
Term End:July 2019
Predecessor:Kwesi Nyantakyi
Successor:Constant Omari
Office1:President of the Nigeria Football Federation
Term Start1:October 2014
Term End1:October 2022
Predecessor1:Aminu Maigari
Successor1:Ibrahim M. Gusau
Office2:Chair of Delta State Football Association
Term Start2:2010
Term End2:2014
Birth Name:Amaju Melvin Pinnick
Birth Date:1970 12, df=y[1]
Birth Place:Mid-Western Region, Nigeria (now Delta State, Nigeria)
Nationality:Nigerian
Alma Mater:University of Benin
Residence:Lagos
Occupation:Football administrator
businessman[2] [3]

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

Nigeria Football Federation

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

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 prestigious 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

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

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

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

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

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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA.com. FIFA Council Members . 17 March 2021. www.fifa.com. en-GB.
  2. Web site: Brownhill Group . 26 August 2019.
  3. Web site: Meet our Team . 26 August 2019 . 28 August 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190828200229/https://www.brownhillcoliseum.com/meet-our-team . dead .
  4. Web site: Amaju Pinnick: The making of a football technocrat . 29 May 2015 . goal.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20150103120828/http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4082/editorial/2014/09/28/5118832/amaju-pinnick-the-making-of-a-football-technocrat . 3 January 2015 . live .
  5. Web site: THE DELTA RE-RUN: The three horse race. vanguard. 4 January 2011. Vanguard News. 15 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415212007/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/01/the-delta-re-run-the-three-horse-race/. 15 April 2019. live.
  6. Web site: Injured Delta FA Boss To Be Flown Abroad. 21 February 2011. P.M. News. 15 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415212643/https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/02/21/injured-delta-fa-boss-to-be-flown-abroad/. 15 April 2019. live.
  7. Web site: Secrets of Delta State's leadership in sports – Pinnick. alexsamade. 18 May 2013. Vanguard News. 15 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415214737/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/secrets-of-delta-states-leadership-in-sports-pinnick/. 15 April 2019. live.
  8. Web site: Warri Wolves recall suspended Vice Chairman. 17 June 2013. The Nation Nigeria. 15 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415214737/https://thenationonlineng.net/warri-wolves-recall-suspended-vice-chairman/. 15 April 2019. live.
  9. News: Pinnick elected Nigeria Football Federation president. 30 September 2014. 15 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416031937/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/29416364. 16 April 2019. live.
  10. Web site: Amaju Pinnick elected new NFF President. Inyang. Ifreke. 30 September 2014. Daily Post Nigeria. 15 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415221731/https://dailypost.ng/2014/09/30/breaking-amaju-pinnick-elected-new-nff-president/. 15 April 2019. live.
  11. News: Pinnick elected Nigeria Football Federation president . 29 May 2015 . BBC Sport . https://web.archive.org/web/20141003052334/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29416364 . 3 October 2014 . live .
  12. Web site: Amaju Pinnick . 29 May 2015 . naij . https://web.archive.org/web/20160414091948/https://www.naij.com/tag/amaju-pinnick.html . 14 April 2016 . live .
  13. News: Amaju Pinnick re-elected NFF president. The Guardian. 20 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180920172531/https://guardian.ng/sport/amaju-pinnick-re-elected-nff-president/. 20 September 2018. live.
  14. Web site: Amaju Pinnick wins NFF election. Punch Newspapers. 20 September 2018. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415203820/https://punchng.com/breaking-amaju-pinnick-wins-nff-election/. 15 April 2019. live.
  15. Web site: Amaju Pinnick returns as president for next 4 years. 20 September 2018. pulse.ng. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416202758/https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/nff-elections-amaju-pinnick-returns-as-president-for-next-4-years/7l4cdzt. 16 April 2019. live.
  16. News: Amaju Pinnick retains post as president of the Nigeria Football Federation. 20 September 2018. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190426175701/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45590099. 26 April 2019. live.
  17. https://www.brila.net/nigerian-senate-passes-nff-bill/ – Nigerian Senate passes NFF Bill
  18. https://punchng.com/senate-passes-nff-establishment-bill/ – Nigerian Senate passes NFF Establishment bill
  19. Web site: Remo Star FC player's death tragedy to football family, says Pinnick.
  20. Web site: NFF set to restructure secretariat, allays fears over coronavirus.
  21. Web site: NFF restates commitment to partners, renews pact with Simba. guardian.ng. 16 March 2020.
  22. Web site: 2020-04-07 . Rohr must accept salary in naira, stay in Nigeria, says NFF . 2022-06-07 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.
  23. Web site: Rohr must accept salary in naira, stay in Nigeria, says NFF. guardian.ng. 7 April 2020.
  24. Web site: NFF mourns executive member, Chidi Okenwa.
  25. Web site: Brownhill Foundation gives palliatives to communities amid lockdown. guardian.ng. 4 May 2020.
  26. Web site: NFF reposes confidence in Rohr, explains delayed deal. guardian.ng. 28 May 2020.
  27. Web site: Pinnick explains NFF's decision to stick with Rohr.
  28. Web site: NFF president promises more support for Super Falcons.
  29. Web site: Pinnick restates commitment to football development, reaffirms decision to stand down.
  30. Web site: No going back on programmes to develop Nigerian leagues, says Pinnick. guardian.ng. 16 February 2021.
  31. Web site: FIFA Appoints NFF President Into Organising Committee for Competitions . 2022-06-07 . Channels Television.
  32. Web site: Nigeria football chief Pinnick gets FIFA appointment. 19 January 2017. Premium Times Nigeria. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416191057/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/sports-features/220992-nigeria-football-chief-pinnick-gets-fifa-appointment.html. 16 April 2019. live.
  33. Web site: NFF president gets FIFA appointment. 19 January 2017. pulse.ng. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416191213/https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/amaju-pinnick-nff-president-gets-fifa-appointment/pxyfbgh. 16 April 2019. live.
  34. Web site: Pinnick wins CAF Exco seat. Warami. Urowayino. 16 March 2017. Vanguard News. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416194120/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/pinnick-wins-caf-exco-seat/. 16 April 2019. live.
  35. Web site: CAF elections: All the results, winners and losers. 16 March 2017. The Eagle Online. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20171220102053/https://theeagleonline.com.ng/caf-elections-all-the-results-winners-and-losers/. 20 December 2017. live.
  36. Web site: CAF Election: Dangote Congratulates Amaju Pinnick. admin. 4 April 2017. THISDAYLIVE. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416195903/https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/04/05/caf-election-dangote-congratulates-amaju-pinnick/. 16 April 2019. live.
  37. Web site: Amaju Pinnick appointed President of AFCON, Media Committees of CAF.. Okogba. Emmanuel. 8 May 2017. Vanguard News. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416201956/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/amaju-pinnick-appointed-president-afcon-media-committees-caf/. 16 April 2019. live.
  38. News: Caf don use Nigeria FA President replace Nyantakyi as vice president . BBC News Pidgin . 2022-06-07.
  39. Web site: Nigeria Football Federation boss Amaju Pinnick replaces Kwesi Nyantakyi as Caf vice president Goal.com. 25 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180825143127/http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/nigeria-football-federation-boss-amaju-pinnick-replaces/kbyrysamv7qp1xh2z5t6s81ly. 25 August 2018. dead.
  40. Web site: Nigeria's Amaju Pinnick is dismissed as Caf vice-president ThePatriot. Chad. Lawson. 22 July 2019.
  41. Web site: How Pinnick Lost His CAF 1st Vice President Position. Ezekute. Nnamdi. 18 July 2019. Complete Sports. 23 July 2019.
  42. Web site: Pinnick dedicates The Sun award to Eagles, other national teams. 22 February 2016.
  43. https://hotsportstv.com/pinnick-rohr-win-accolades-sun-newspaper-awards/ – Pinnick Rohr win accolades Sun newspaper awards
  44. Web site: NFF President Pinnick wins Fifa Council seat by a landslide Goal.com. 2021-04-15. www.goal.com.
  45. Web site: FIFA.com. Who We Are - News - Patrice Motsepe elected CAF President as Africa united behind common objective . 2021-04-15. www.fifa.com. en-GB.
  46. Web site: 2021-03-12. Pinnick wins FIFA Council election. 2021-04-15. Punch Newspapers. en-US.
  47. Web site: 2021-03-12.
    1. CAFElections2021: Pinnick wins seat in FIFA's executive council
    . 2021-04-15. en-GB.
  48. Web site: 2020-11-10. NFF Boss Amaju Pinnick declares candidacy for FIFA Council and backs Africa's 10th richest man Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe for CAF Presidency. 2021-04-15. Pulse Nigeria. en-US.
  49. Web site: Court sacks Pinnick's Nigeria Football Federation board, Giwa takes over Goal.com. Ahmadu. Samuel. www.goal.com. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416180916/https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigerian-football/2016/04/08/22151332/court-sacks-pinnicks-nigeria-football-federation-board. 16 April 2019. live.
  50. Web site: BREAKING: FIFA set to ban Nigeria. 11 April 2016. P.M. News. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416182249/https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/04/11/breaking-fifa-set-to-ban-nigeria/. 16 April 2019. live.
  51. Web site: FIFA Writes Letter To NFF, Threatens To Ban Nigeria If Amaju Pinnick Is Removed As NFF President. Deolu. 11 April 2016. INFORMATION NIGERIA. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416182526/https://www.informationng.com/2016/04/fifa-writes-letter-to-nff-threatens-to-ban-nigeria-if-amaju-pinnick-is-removed-as-nff-president.html. 16 April 2019. live.
  52. Web site: Appeal Court dismisses Giwa's suit against NFF. Punch Newspapers. 26 July 2016. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416190518/https://punchng.com/breaking-appeal-court-dismisses-giwas-suit-nff/. 16 April 2019. live.
  53. Web site: NFF President Amaju Pinnick in trouble, Buhari orders his prosecution for fraud. says. Jasper. 5 January 2019. P.M. News. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416205255/https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/01/05/nff-president-amaju-pinnick-in-trouble-buhari-orders-his-prosecution-for-fraud/. 16 April 2019. live.
  54. Web site: Presidency reacts to fraud allegations against Pinnick. Eludini. Tunde. 6 January 2019. Premium Times Nigeria. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190311173629/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/nigeria-sports-news/304439-presidency-reacts-to-fraud-allegations-against-pinnick.html. 11 March 2019. live.
  55. Web site: Amaju Pinnick and Presidency debunk reports of arrest and prosecution of the NFF boss. 7 January 2019. pulse.ng. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190202220531/https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/amaju-pinnick-and-presidency-debunk-reports-of-arrest-and-prosecution-of-the-nff-boss/r5q473w. 2 February 2019. live.
  56. Web site: Pressure builds on Nigeria's Pinnick as court orders NFF to provide previous charge sheet. 2 May 2019. Inside World Football. 7 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190507234841/http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2019/05/02/pressure-builds-nigerias-pinnick-court-orders-nff-provide-previous-charge-sheet/. 7 May 2019. live.
  57. Web site: FG charges Pinnick with '$8.4m fraud'. 7 May 2019. TheCable. 7 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190507222301/https://www.thecable.ng/fg-charges-amaju-pinnick-to-court-over-8-4m-fraud. 7 May 2019. live.
  58. Web site: BREAKING: FG drags Amaju Pinnick, four others to court for alleged corruption. Jannah. Chijioke. 7 May 2019. Daily Post Nigeria. 7 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190507221610/https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/07/breaking-fg-drags-amaju-pinnick-four-others-court-alleged-corruption/. 7 May 2019. live.
  59. Web site: Nigerian govt arraigns FA Chairman Pinnick over alleged fraud. 7 May 2019. Premium Times Nigeria. 7 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190507221624/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/328913-nigerian-govt-arraigns-fa-chairman-pinnick-over-alleged-fraud.html. 7 May 2019. live.
  60. News: Nigeria Football Federation dismiss corruption charges. 8 May 2019. Goal. 1 September 2019.
  61. News: NFF denies alleged charges by FG/. 8 May 2019. Brilla. 1 September 2019.
  62. https://web.archive.org/web/20141028183036/http://amajumelvinpinnick.com/ title= amajumelvinpinnick.com
  63. Web site: Ten Facts You Never Knew About The NFF President Amaju Pinnick. Bello. Aderonke. 28 August 2015. Legit.ng – Nigeria news.. 21 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190721210643/https://www.legit.ng/532460-ten-facts-nff-president-amaju-pinnick.html. 21 July 2019. live.
  64. Web site: I would have been an excellent footballer if I had a good coach –Amaju Pinnick. Punch Newspapers. 17 December 2017. 15 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415193732/https://punchng.com/i-would-have-been-an-excellent-footballer-if-i-had-a-good-coach-amaju-pinnick/. 15 April 2019. live.
  65. https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2019/8/nff-president-amaju-pinnick-shares-adorable-family-photos.html|title= NFF president Amaju Pinnick shares adorable family photos
  66. Web site: Chukwu, Okocha inspire school footballers. adekunle. 7 November 2012. Vanguard News. 15 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415213704/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/11/chukwu-okocha-inspire-school-footballers/. 15 April 2019. live.
  67. Web site: Amaju Pinnick, others For UNIBEN Alumni Awards. guardian.ng. 25 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415195209/https://guardian.ng/sport/amaju-pinnick-others-for-uniben-alumni-awards/. 15 April 2019. live. 15 April 2019.
  68. Web site: Post UNIBEN honours NFF President and others for sports excellence. aitonline.tv. 28 August 2019.
  69. Web site: Injured Delta FA Boss to be flown abroad. PM News. 25 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415193732/https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/02/21/injured-delta-fa-boss-to-be-flown-abroad/. 15 April 2019. live.

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