By Tony Ubani

THE Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has rejected Paul Bassey’s resignation from the Technical and Development Committee of the NFF.

Bassey, a veteran Sports Journalist and member of CAF and FIFA Media committees had said he would resign from the Committees if Stephen Keshi was hired to coach the Eagles after Nigeria failed to qualify for the Equatorial Guinea African Cup of Nations which was won by Cote d’Ivoire.

‘’I feel pained that we are still talking about whether to hire or not to hire Keshi. As for me, I”ve decided that the day they announce Keshi as coach, I’ll relinquish my job as a member of the Technical Committee”, Bassey had threatened. At the weekend during the annual get-together of Sports Veterans, Bassey reiterated that he would not attend any meeting of the Technical Committee with Stephen Keshi as Coach of the Eagles. He said that he knew what he went through with when Keshi was boss of the Eagles and the sacrifices he made. ‘’I wish him well. It is nothing personal  but I’ve said it before he was hired and will not go back on it’’. But Vice President of the NFF, Seyi Akinwunmi said that the Federation had the last say on whether to accept or reject his resignation as a member of the Technical and Development Committee of the NFF. ‘’One thing is for an employee to resign his position and another thing is for the employer(s) to accept it. We’re not accepting Bassey’s resignation and there is nothing more to talk about it’’, he ruled as rapturous applause followed.