After his successful election on Saturday, 16th of June, 2007, Scouting Team representative in Nigeria, Dr. Francis A. Akinremi has been confirmed as the first National President of The Nigerian Association of Football Academies ( NAFA ).
The confirmation took place at the Conference Hall of The National Institute For Sports in Nigeria, which is situated inside the territiory around the West African country's National Stadium in Surulere township, the sports nerve-centre of Lagos State, Nigeria.
Francis(pictured centre) was confirmed along with 11 members of the entire 12-member Executive Council, which comprised 10 males and female member, Mrs. Etim Joy Nnenna, who is the Welfare Officer of the association. The twelfth member will be selected as the zone from which the 2nd Vice-President is to emerge from is yet to present its preferred candidate.
The full list of the Executive Council members include:
1. President
Dr Akinremi A Francis [JP]
2. 1st Vice President
Mr Onwanna Kevin
3. 2nd Vice President
Yet to be produced. This position is zoned to the Northern part of Nigeria. This region will present the association with an elected representative soon.
4. Secretary-General
Mr Etim Micheal Edet
5. Assistance Secretary-General
Mr Arinde Jimoh
6. Treasurer
Mr.Obeta Basil
7. Welfare
Mrs Etim Joy Nnenna
8. Technical Director
Mr Solomon Adesina Peter
9. Public Relation Officer
Mr Banjo Kamiludeen Oladimeji
10. Financial Secretary
Mr Udoh Saturday Okon
11. Auditor
Mr Alebiosu Samuel
12. Provost
Mr Ohiri Ephraim
The Executive Council members cut across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, and they will serve an initial single term of two years each.
Prior to the election, the potential contestants and nominees for the post of the President were informed about the high standards which the association had set for its presidential aspirants. The contestants must be:
1. A professional Sports Manager with a proven track record in sports management.
2. A football academy owner with a known and existing football academy.
3. A professional Coach with a registered football academy in Nigeria.
4. An existing financial member of NAFA and must have fulfilled his or her financial obligations not later than 3 months before the election.
Francis Akinremi met all the above mentioned requirements and futher distinguished himself with his other feats which he had achieved in addition. These included very high professional qualifications, better level of international sports exposure, distinct leadership qualities, a clear cut agenda for youth development programmes and emphasis on intensifying youth programme research work.
The performance of FAK-REM Football Academy, owned by Mr. Francis, was also a bonus which boosted his chances, as he had proved to be efficient in academy management in the past and present. FAK-REM have represented Nigeria in some international competitions and also were winners of the Dothan Cup in Scotland, United Kingdom.
Francis has promised to move NAFA forward with great speed and efficiency so as to build a solid foundation on which the fledging association will stand on to grow as rapidly as expected in the Nigerian soccer arena.
With the able support of Scouting Team, such goals can be facilitated and better achieved with a unique touch of excellence and hard work.
The picture below shows members of The Executive Council. From left: Basil [Treasurer], Ohiri [Provost], Udon [Fin.Sec.], Mrs Etim Joy [Welfare], Akinremi [President], Etim Micheal [Sec. Gen], Banjo [PRO], Arinde [Asst.Sec.Gen], Solomon [Tech.Director] and Alebiosu [Auditor].
