By John Egbokhan
Former African Player of the year winner, Victor Ikpeba has urged delegates to tomorrow’s Elective Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to vote in Delta State Football Association Chairman, Pinnick Amaju as the next President of the NFF.

Amaju is in the race to succeed Aminu Maigari in the Glass House and as delegates make last minute decisions on who to vote for in the  polls, slated to hold at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Ikpeba, arguably one of Nigeria’s most prolific strikers in Europe in the ’90s, said Amaju has the Midas touch to take Nigerian football to the proverbial land flowing with milk and honey.

Pinnick Amaju

Speaking in an interview with Sports Vanguard, Ikpeba, who was nicknamed the ‘Prince of Monaco’, during his professional playing time in the French Principality, said he can vouch for Amaju’s integrity, resourcefulness, drive and passion for excellence.

Citing the fact that he is on the board of the Delta State Football Association, Ikpeba said his close interaction with Amaju has made him to appreciate the latter as a man, who wants Nigerian football to rank at per with what is obtainable in Europe and South America.

“Amaju is a man of integrity. He loves excellence and knows how to get the sponsorship deals that will help our football to develop beyond the present level. I can assure the delegates that if they vote for Amaju that they will not regret their decision as our football will rank at per with the standard in Europe and America.

“Amaju is the only State FA chairman that has four ex-internationals on his board. Austin Okocha, Kenneth Nwomocha, Alex Amudo and myself are all on the board of the DFA. And our relationship with Amamju has helped the football in Delta. If elected, Amaju will involve ex-internationals in the running of the game, which which in turn make our football gain from the experience of these former stars”, added Ikpeba.

He noted that Amaju’s visionary leadership in Delta State, which has seen the State remain the strongest force in sports in Nigeria in the last five years, stands him in pole position to win the nod to head the NFF.

“His records speak loftily and it is fair for Nigeria to give him the chance to serve our fatherland for peace and progress of our football. He will make the NFF self-sufficient financially because he has a vast business network, that has been built with trust, integrity and visionary leadership”, said Ikpeba.