The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is enmeshed in another
$150,000 scandal as grant received from World Athletic to assist the
Federation in the hosting of the 21st African Championships in
Athletics held in Asaba in August 2018, which remains unaccounted for.
Recall that the AFN had been embroiled in a grant overpayment scandal
which was recently repaid to the World Athletics body by the Minister
of Youth and Sports Development.
The recent scandal involves a $150,000 the World Athletics had sent to
assist the AFN in preparation for the championships last year, but the
money remains unaccounted for and board members of the Athletics
Federation of Nigeria (AFN) will be looking to unravel the mystery
surrounding the money when they hold their board meeting in Abuja on
Tuesday.
A board member who pleaded anonymity, alleges that the money went
through an improper channel with the AFN secretariat not having any
evidence of the payment. Findings reveal that the money was paid into
a private account which could not have been possible without the
authorisation of the President or Secretary General of the AFN.
The leadership of the AFN is also alleged to have committed many
infractions some of which includes the details of the contract the
Federation has with the kits manufacturer, PUMA shrouded in secrecy.
Meanwhile, insinuations are rife that former two-time AFN President,
Evangelist Solomon Ogba may be recalled by his constituency, the
Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
Ogba was brought in at the last minute to replace former Olympian,
Ahmed Adio to fill the Philanthropist/Ex-Officio slot on the board.
Ogba hitherto was not inaugurated as a board member when 12 others
were inaugurated in July 2017, but officials at the Sports Ministry
insist he was originally penciled for the slot and should be
inaugurated by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports
Development.
Many of them feel justice must be served even if delayed for over two
years. The rumoured reshuffling by the Ministry of Youth and Sports
Development could take place as early as this week.
