Football administrator and Monimichelle Sports chief, Ebi Egbe, has called for competent, experienced and progressive leadership to reposition Nigerian football and restore confidence in the administration of the game.
Egbe, in a personal recommendation on the proposed Interim Normalisation Committee for Nigerian football, identified competence, liberal-minded leadership, proven capacity, passion, experience, deep knowledge and vision as essential qualities required to take the country’s football to the next level.
He particularly highlighted Hon. Kunle Soname, describing him as an individual who embodies a compelling combination of the qualities needed to lead a new phase in Nigerian football.
According to Egbe, Soname’s record of leadership, substantial investment in football and practical understanding of the game and its administration make him a strong candidate for consideration.
“Nigerian football urgently requires competent, progressive and results-driven leadership capable of uniting stakeholders, strengthening football structures, developing infrastructure, and restoring confidence in the administration and future of the game,” Egbe stated.
For the proposed Interim Normalisation Committee, Egbe recommended three experienced football administrators—Segun Odegbami, Kojo Williams and Christopher Green—for consideration as chairman and members of the committee.
He proposed that any of the three could serve as chairman, while the other two would serve as members.
Egbe also recommended veteran journalist Michelle Obi for the position of Secretary of the committee, citing her experience in communication, documentation and stakeholder engagement.
He further suggested that other qualified Nigerians could be appointed as members, specifically mentioning Harrison Jalla, whom he noted has consistently advocated reforms and restructuring of Nigerian football.
Egbe stressed that his recommendations were based on his personal assessment of the qualities and experience required to reset Nigerian football.
“This represents my personal opinion and recommendation. The final decision, however, rests with the National Sports Commission,” he said.
The recommendations come amid renewed calls for reforms in the administration of Nigerian football, with stakeholders seeking a leadership structure capable of improving the organisation of the sport, strengthening its institutions and restoring public confidence in its future.
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