By Peter Ejiofor
National Chairman of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Rev. Samuel Ikpea, has expressed gratitude to the club’s members and friends for their support to the incumbent Executive Committee in its one year in office.
Ikpea expressed the gratitude on Friday when the club held its end of 2021 Night Party, celebrating members who were born in December, as well as marking the incumbent executive committee’s one year in office.
The National Chairman thanked the top hierarchy of the club and its members for their cooperation and comradeship in the past one year during the party held at its National Secretariat in Surulere, Lagos.
“I want to thank the Almighty God for the Grace he has given us to witness exactly one year in office when you entrusted the leadership position into my hands and members of the executive.
“I must say it couldn’t have been possible without your support. This support indeed is immeasurable. Thank you.
“To the President-General (P-G) of the club worldwide, Dr Rafiu Ladipo, the Deputy PG and the Elders Council, (My Wise Men), with humility I bow to thank you for your fatherly advice, support and love you portrayed throughout this one year. What else can I ask for?’’
He also thanked the National Executive Council, saying: “You are wonderful. Your journey through and from within the country to attend meetings showed your loyalty to the club and love for my leadership.
“To my executives, without you the drive couldn’t have been possible. To my chapters; what can I say other than to say a big thank you, particularly Delta, Edo, Ogun and other states who took it upon themselves to travel down to Lagos to support the club during international matches,’’ Ikpea said.
Also, Ladipo used the occasion to debunk the popular impression in the media that he was a dictator and a leader who doesn’t want to relinquish his position as the President-General of the club after so many years in that position.
“I have relinquished my active participation in the leadership of the club for the past twenty-one years when I exhausted my eight years two-term tenure as the democratically elected National Chairman.
“Today, I am the President-General world-wide of the club. I do not interfere in the affairs of the national body in Nigeria.
“Rev. Samuel Ikpea is in charge and he can bear me witness that I don’t dictate to him and his executives how to run the club,’’ he said.
He added: “I am not a signatory to the club’s account and I do not preside over the national meeting of the club.
“I am a father of the club so I act in that fatherly capacity to give advice when it’s solicited without any financial gratifications.’’
He reeled out the achievements of the club in its over 66 years of existence, saying: “This club has been adjudged as the most organised supporters club by the world football ruling body, FIFA.
“And it has also been given an award as the Most Disciplined Supporters Club by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF).’’
The party was well attended as the elders of the club, friends of the club, members and their families had a swell time with plenty of food and drinks.
