FIFA big wigs will no longer visit Lagos - NFF

fatma-samoura-amaju-pinnick-gianni-infantino

(L-R) Fatma Samoura, Amaju Pinnick and Gianni Infantino

(L-R) Fatma Samoura, Amaju Pinnick and Gianni Infantino
(L-R) Fatma Samoura, Amaju Pinnick and Gianni Infantino
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Friday released the itinerary of FIFA President Gianni Infantino who is due in Nigeria on Sunday, indicating he would now visit only Abuja.

A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Assistant Director of Communications, indicated that Infantino would no longer visit Lagos as earlier expected.

The statement indicated that the President of football’s world governing body and the organisation’s Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, will arrive in Abuja on Sunday for a two –day working visit.

“The duo, to be accompanied by a couple of aides, will be received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by NFF President Amaju Pinnick, members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, and a host of other prominent figures in Nigerian football.

“A welcome cocktail for the FIFA President and Secretary General will hold at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel later on Sunday.

“On Monday, Infantino and Ms Samoura, led by the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, and Pinnick will pay a courtesy call on President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

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“A number of Football Association/Federation presidents from other African countries, who are expected in Nigeria to join the NFF in welcoming the FIFA chieftains, will also be at the Villa.

“Also on Monday, Infantino and Samoura are scheduled to be guests at an under-13 exhibition football match at the National Stadium.

“They will later attend a corporate dinner with a legion of Nigerian political heavyweights and captains of industry at the Transcorp Hilton.

“The FIFA President will fly back to Switzerland on Monday night, while the Secretary General will depart Nigeria on Tuesday,’’ the statement indicated.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that Monday’s tight schedule for the FIFA duo, especially as it involved visiting President Buhari, must have necessitated cancelling the Lagos leg of the visit.

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