NFF major financial sponsor kicks as EFCC investigates football body

By Esther Egbe

The major sponsor of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aiteo Group, has expressed dismay over the unnecessary leadership impasse ravaging the NFF.

It has therefore given a 14-day ultimatum for the crisis to be settled or they will be forced to pull out of all sponsorship packages and agreement.

The Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs, Ndiana Mathew,told National Daily that AITEO GROUP has become aware of media statements relating to suggested investigations of financing dealings at the NFF by the EFCC with respect to funds generated by financial sponsorship.

“As the leading sponsor of national football activities in the country presently and the largest contributor of the funds that ostensibly comprise the subject of the investigations, we are constrained to make our position known on the matter,” Ndiana said.

He added that It has been extensively publicised that AITEO entered into a number of funding arrangements with the NFF to support its work with the national teams and the Aiteo Cup (previously the Federation Cup).

“A number of other commitments that we have made have been supported by the legal agreements that underpin these relationships,” he said.

According to him, these agreements were executed to national and international audiences at various times in the course of 2017 and have been operated with utmost attention to the highest levels of financial probity and professionalism.

Amongst programmes supported by AITEO sponsorship of the NFF Awards (with the first edition held in Lagos February 2018), supporting state FA secretariats for grassroots football development (with 6 across the six zones of the country on the verge of completion and another 12 about to start).

AITEO has also heavily supported the qualification of the Super Eagles for the 2018 World Cup offering huge incentive and bonuses to motivate the players during critical matches. During the on-going 2018 World Cup proper, AITEO hugely motivated the players with a bonus of $50,000 per un-replied goal.

AITEO further confirms that it insisted and approved the involvement and participation of Financial Derivatives Company as official funds managers in the manner and upon the terms set out in the various contracts.

The FDC manages all the sponsorship funds to ensure proper auditing and utilisation as envisaged in the contract, and AITEO confirmed it was satisfied with the role and performance of FDC.

Mediterranean Sports is the official marketing agency that facilitated and packaged its entry into Nigerian Football.

Mediterranean manages the relationships between NFF and AITEO in the manner and upon the terms set out in the various contracts. We confirm that we are satisfied with the role and performance of MSL.

AITEO thus call for the quick and decisive resolution of the current issues especially as future campaigns for glory in the African Nations Cup are imminent.

“Accordingly, we are constrained to indicate that unless these issues are resolved satisfactorily in the manner dictated by the requirements of the world governing body FIFA within fourteen (14) days hereof, we will deem ourselves compelled to reconsider our position with respect to participation in the various arrangements in which we are involved,” said Ndiana.