Oyeleye on the crew of insightonline.com is a football administrator having served as general manager of Crown Football Club, Ogbomoso. He ably represented Hon. Seun Fakorede the executive adviser on youths and sports to the Oyo state governor Engr. Seyi Makinde at a lecture delivered by Amaju Melvin Pinnick at the University of Ibadan recently, an occasion which served as impetus for this commentary.
Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick is the Nigeria representative on the exalted Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Executive Council, Confederation of Africa Football and Immediate past President Nigerian Football Federation.
Amaju Pinnick is a thorough bred football administrator having risen through the ranks from his home state Delta in the southern part of Nigeria . Amaju, 54, is a man with many caps on his head for his exceptional humanitarian gesture to the people of all varied class. He evinces class, charisma and character as a typical Warri boy with first class honours from the University of Benin. His success in life is not predicated on his unembellished academic records from cradle but a product of hardwork, character and amiability , he has extended his tentacle to all parts of the country and subsequently the world.
Anyone that sees and judges Amaju from his look may misrepresent him for a haughty being but he is a very humane and humble fellow with special interest in philanthropy. His many foundations and platforms to rendering services to the less privileged and less fortunate cover a wide range of services without discrimination, from community development, community empowerment, educational scholarships, institutional foundations, mentorship, catch -them -young and give- them- future are parts of calling of this talents developer, apostle of excellence and sports administrator par excellence.
His worthy cause has been identified and celebrated worldwide as seen in the orations rendered by the high and mighty of the world from business to sports, hospitality to academics. When Amaju was delivering a lecture at the Nigeria’s premier ivory tower.the University of Ibadan as personality guest lecturer on Tuesday 29th October, 2024 on the topic, “The Challenges of Sports Infrastructure and Maintenance in Nigeria: Prospect For the Podium Performance,” he ventilated his experience as a leader of thought for the development of sports infrastructure and maintenance against the background of leaving profound influence on his office as the Nigerian Football Federation President. As guest lecturer he said infrastructure is key to sports development that sports is not ordinary but academic and developmental tool for the nation. He gave actionable, punchy and practicable approach to halt progressive degeneration to sports infrastructure in the country and proffered solutions to having competitive development in all states of the federation. In his lecture, he advocated for increase funding and supervision for sports infrastructure and maintenance so as to be among the contending nations to host standard sporting events such as FIFA organised competitions and all.
The FIFA supremo Giovanni infantino congratulated the University of Ibadan for acknowledging the unifying power of sports and maintenance culture of infrastructures which is critical to sports development.
The president of Confederation of African Football Motsepe spoke glowingly of their brother and his immense contributions to development of sports around the globe. The National Sports Commission chairman Mallam Sheu Dikko and president Nigerian Football Federation Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau described him as a dogged visioner and team leader . as other captains of industry lent credence to the worthy cause Melvin is championing on the continent, the Group Chief Executive Officer Tulcan Energy Dr. Tayo Adeyemi Adiatu in his goodwill message extolled Pinnick’s commitment to excellence, particularly in sports and education, declaring his excitement to witness the brilliance encapsulated in the academic delivery that proven handout must definitely be taken from it.
Amaju Melvin Pinnick is not just an ordinary Nigerian with the caliber of mighty men he cavorts with ,his influence spreads across party lines, business of differing orientations.
Melvin represents power, glamour, candour, humor , brilliance, philanthropy, humaneness and erudition.
Amaju is perfectly fit to represent at the highest levels of leadership in the state , the country ,continent and on the world stage as he’s currently doing as a detribalised and responsible personality . Great respect to him as I see him from a beautiful perspective and prism .
Congratulations on your many firsts and great achievements.
