President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick on Wednesday confirmed the receipt of $1 million as COVID-19 palliatives from FIFA.
“Huge appreciation to football’s world governing body, @FIFAcom, for the $1 million (one million dollars) the Federation has received in the frame of COVID-19 palliatives,” Pinnick began in a series of tweets on his handle. “The money was received by the @thenff and we re-confirmed the purpose from FIFA two days ago.”
While noting that the fund is composed of $500,000 for “men’s football and $500,000 for the women’s game,” he said FIFA will equally send another “$500,000 sometime in January 2021” as part of the palliatives.
The world football governing body equally sent in $600,000 for the FIFA Forward 2.0 projects in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State and Ugborodo in Delta State.
“At $300,000 each, it will enable the mini-stadia in both centers to start at a very good pace, as we earmark completion by the end of March 2021,” the Federation leader added.
He also said the NFF is expecting $300,000 from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) before November 1st, 2020.
According to him, “With the $200,000 we have already ring-fenced from our sponsors’ funds for the purpose, the coast will then be clear for us to start the disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries, as captured in our approved template, from next week.”
Even though the former Chairman of the Delta State Football Association acknowledged that the funds will be used in line with guidelines from FIFA, he said the NFF will work with its auditing firm to ensure the disbursements follow the best global practices.
“Beneficiaries MUST ensure 100% compliance to guidelines by ensuring that all funds are paid into designated accounts,” the Delta-born Pinnick stated.
“I would also like to thank all beneficiaries for their patience and understanding at these trying times. Finally, I would like to wish @FIFAcom President, Gianni Infantino God’s speed as he recovers.”
Huge appreciation to football’s world governing body, @FIFAcom, for the $1 million (one million dollars) the Federation has received in the frame of COVID-19 palliatives. The money was received by the @thenff and we re-confirmed the purpose from FIFA two days ago.
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— Amaju Melvin Pinnick (@PinnickAmaju) October 28, 2020
@FIFAcom also sent $600,000 to the Federation for the FIFA Forward 2.0 projects in Birnin-Kebbi and Ugborodo. At $300,000 each, it will enable the mini-stadia in both centers to start at a very good pace, as we earmark completion by the end of March 2021.
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— Amaju Melvin Pinnick (@PinnickAmaju) October 28, 2020
As a further break down, the $1 million for palliatives is composed of $500,000 for men’s football and $500,000 for the women’s game. FIFA has also promised to send the Federation an additional $500,000 sometime in January 2021, also as part of COVID-19 palliative efforts.
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— Amaju Melvin Pinnick (@PinnickAmaju) October 28, 2020
On the continent, we have received confirmation from @CAF_Online that the Federation will receive the expected $300,000 from the Confederation on or before Sunday, the 1st of November. With the $200,000 we have already ring-fenced from our sponsors’ funds for the purpose…
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— Amaju Melvin Pinnick (@PinnickAmaju) October 28, 2020
…the coast will then be clear for us to start the disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries, as captured in our approved template, from next week.
Even though we are bolstered by the guidelines from FIFA strictly outlying the purposes of these funds…
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— Amaju Melvin Pinnick (@PinnickAmaju) October 28, 2020