A 10-man Interim Management Committee (IMC) has been constituted by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports to oversee the affairs of the Nigerian premier league. The committee will function until a substantive professional league board is put in place.
The Ministry said the decision was in line with the 10-year football Master Plan approved by President Muhammadu Buhari towards the revitalisation of the domestic league.
Three weeks ago, the Ministry withdrew the licence given to the League Management Committee (LMC), describing the action as a step “to avert further chaos in our domestic football”.
It then announced that an IMC would oversee the affairs of the league while a professional board was being awaited.
According to a statement by Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, the IMC is led by Mr Gbenga Elegbeleye in his capacity as Chairman. A sports administrator and politician, Elegbeleye was Director-General of the now defuct National Sports Commission.
Eminent sports administrator and journalist, Pastor Paul Bassey is the Vice Chairman. He is the Chairman of 2020/21 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Akwa United.
Also in the IMC as Head of Operations is the Chief Executive Officer of the now rested LMC, Mr Davidson Owumi. The former international is also General Manager of NPFL side Rangers.
Sports administrator Olumide Bamiduro is the Secretary.
Also in the committee are entrepreneur and Remo Stars owner, Chief Kunle Soname; ex-international Daniel Amokachi; FIFA Elite A Assistant Referee, Calvin Emeka Onwuka; Mallam Aliyu Adamu; Barrister Danladi Ibrahim; and representatives of the Nigeria Football Federation and the Nigeria Police Force.
