President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), 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.”
