President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin
Pinnick has made a passionate appeal to sections of the Nigeria media to stop
heating up the football polity in the name of sensationalism.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Pinnick charged media persons
to make peace and tranquility in the football family their winning words, and
to be careful with the words they use in conveying messages to the public
because of the important role they play.
“I have immense respect for the media, because of the very
critical role they play in the promotion of football, nay sports, as an
instrument for peace and fostering of tranquility worldwide. However, there is
need for caution in the way and manner a section amplifies and celebrates what
is negative.
“A minute section of the media feels that only the negative
sells, which is an archaic belief. On Wednesday, someone wrote on a website
that Stephen Keshi called the NFF and particularly my person all sorts of
names. This is not true.”
Pinnick said he spoke to Coach Keshi on Wednesday and that
the coach was exasperated that his words had been exaggerated.
“Keshi told me that his words were blown out of proportion.
This is not good for Nigeria football and the imperative for harmony within the
football structure. Keshi himself knows that using such words would not in any
away endear him to the NFF.
“It is important that we all join hands to build a
sustainable football culture for the country, and it is the job of everyone,
not only the NFF.”