INTERIOR, NFF UNITE FOR GENDER INCLUSIVENESS IN FOOTBALL

The Federal Government is exploring strategic partnership opportunities that could help in rehabilitation; build confidence, skills, and foster positive transformation within the Nigeria Correctional Service.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Tuesday when he received a delegation of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials, led by its President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who paid a courtesy visit to his office.The delegation had come to intimate the Honourable Minister of a football for reform initiative tagged, "Football Good-Nigeria #Empower Her."

"This is one programme I am excited to be involved in. I am extremely excited; it is about the female gender. And I see the project as capable of filling the gap. Sports, as a form of recreation, remains a unifier that is capable of bridging gaps and transforming people across the globe," he said.

He emphasised that the name change from prisons to corrections is rooted in a deeper ideology. "You know the name changed from prisons to corrections not just for the sake of change. It was because of projects like this.

"From a place of incarceration, corrections is a place of rebirth, a place of rehabilitation. We are happy about this collaboration; it is a marriage," he stated.

The Minister assured Nigerians that the government is committed to transforming the lives of inmates through inclusiveness.

"Under the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), our government is committed to fostering this marriage between the NFF and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) as it aligns with our vision to drive the rehabilitation of inmates across all Correctional Centres, promoting a more inclusive and supportive society," he said.

Earlier in his speech, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, stated that the aim of the visit was to seek the collaboration of the Nigeria Correctional Service on their pilot project "Gender Empowerment Initiative," which aims to help empower, rehabilitate, and successfully reintegrate incarcerated women back into society by helping them build positive mental fortitude, confidence, and essential skills needed for successful reintegration.

In attendance were the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aishetu Gogo Ndayako; the Controller General of Nigeria Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa and Directors of the Ministry. Those who accompanied the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau were Madam Aisha Falode; NFF Executive Board Member, Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme; Director of Legal, Okey Obi; Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; Director of Competition, Ruth David; Assistant Director of Protocol, Emmanuel Adesanya; and former Super Eagles football star and coach, Augustine Eguavoen.

Ozoya Imohimi
Director of Press and Public Relations