Featured

Siasia appeal FIFA’s life ban

Published

5 years ago

September 5, 2019

Siasia appeal FIFA’s life ban
…Writes FIFA, CAS

Former Super Eagles’ Chief Coach Samson Siasia has appealed the life ban slammed on him by world football governing body FIFA.

Siasia disclosed at a press briefing held at the Media Center of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium yesterday that his lawyers filed the appeal to FIFA on August 27, 2019, while the other appeal was sent to the Court of Arbitration for Sports on the 29th of August, 2019.

Siasia, however, denied involvement in an illegal act that is contrary to the ethics of football.

“I wish to state that I have never been and would never be a party to any form of unethical conduct or perversion in the discharge of my duties in any capacity. I built my career in the football industry on the foundation of hard work, integrity, consistency, and God.

“In all my career, I have done nothing but serve my country clubs to the best of my personal and professional ability, with all my strength and might, with discipline, pride and passion, and an awareness that it is a privilege to be an ambassador of our great nation. It is my greatest hope and belief that my Country also stands by and with me at a time like this.

“The entire proceedings and decision were only brought to my notice on the 16th of August, 2019 when the news broke in the public domain and friends and family started to call. I was totally unaware of the proceedings until I heard about FIFA’s decision.

“While I may not be able to publicly divulge the details and specifics, I think it fit to inform you that I have appealed against FIFA’s Decision and you all will probably hear the results as you hear about the ban. I am currently taking legal advice. My lawyer Mr Austin Otah has been liaising with the NFF and their counsel.

“I thank everyone who has supported me in one way or the other. I must state that this is the most trying period of my life. I am still dealing with the pain and challenges of my mother being kidnapped again and fighting to secure her release. I urge the nation to support me with prayers, goodwill, and support of all kinds. The demands are very heavy”, Siasia disclosed full of emotions.

His lawyer Mr. Austin Otah also reacted on the appeal. “We have actually assisted Mr Samson Siasia to file his appeal and we are awaiting FIFA to acknowledge the receipt of the appeal. We are awaiting feedback from FIFA and CAS.

“The decision of FIFA requires Mr Siasia to appeal to the CAS. We are exploring an internal appeal mechanism, exceptionally with the Appeal Committee of FIFA. But that notwithstanding we are still to ensure that his appeal rights are not impeded in any way”, Otah disclosed.

Share on Facebook

Featured

Nigeria Will Take Good Shape In No Distant Time- Olawande

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande has urged the citizens of the country to be patient with the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in transforming the lives of its citizens through various policies and programs of the federal government.

The Minister made this submission while delivering his speech at the Joint Union Negotiating Council’s week of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development branch. This is the first edition since both Ministries of Youth and Sports had been damaged. The JUNC week which was held at Atiku Hall, Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja had its theme: “The working people in a volatile, uncertain, and complex economy”

In the words of the Honourable Minister: “I urge you to be patient with this administration. In no distant time, the country will take good shape and the lives of its citizens will be transformed”.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not a pauper, he is an acknowledged epitome of wealth, and so it cannot be said of him that he desires to loot the treasury of Nigeria. He has seen money and as a result of this, he is not interested in looting the nation’s treasury”, Olawande explained.

He emphasized that “leadership is all about being committed to serve. If you are a Minister now, tomorrow you will be addressed as a former Minister, likewise a Director because there is no permanent position but the impact that you made while in that office will speak after you”, the Minister reiterated.

Olawande expressed his gratitude to the workers of the Ministry for being supportive of the government policies and programs. He promised that the welfare of the staff would not be compromised, adding that workers deserve remuneration for being hardworking.

Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya admonished the staff of the Ministry to put in their best as “Performance Management System” which replaces APER is the criteria to be used for promotion effective next year. This, according to him is because the Performance Management System (PMS) records the best efforts and input of each staff which will in turn be used to grade such staff.

Olusanya who disclosed that the welfare of the staff is his priority as workers deserve the best for the services rendered. He opined that “the hungry man is angry and as a worker, if you are not treated fairly and properly, it is impossible to get the best out of you. As a result, all staff will be treated properly as motivation to propel the best in you”, he concluded.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, OON, MNI, in her address, informed that the activity to reinvigorate the Civil Service in a bid to ensure that Civil Servants carry out their duties with much diligence to have efficient and incorruptible civil service is currently on course. She advised workers to wake up and be committed to the service of the nation.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Jerry Akume, the General Secretary of the Union expressed his delight in celebrating this year’s edition of the Union week, while highlighting the achievements of the union so far. These include:

Upward review of staff welfare, prompt payment of repatriation allowances, payment of first 28 days allowance, assistance to the sick, general training of staff, and sending forth/retirement package for retired staff.

He also appealed to the Management of the Ministry, saying that irrespective of the aforementioned achievements, a lot still needs to be done in such areas as procurement of staff buses, upward review of welfare payment for festive periods, consistent general staff training, and procurement of office and work materials.

Share on Facebook