…Holds 2024 Congress in Akure, Ondo State
The Nigeria Players Union has demanded the improvement of welfare packages and security for players across Nigeria leagues, Silvernews.com.ng reports.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the Nigeria Players Congress 2024 held in Akure, Ondo State.
1. The Congress in session applauds and commend the NFF and the league bodies, (NPFL, NNL, NWFL, NLO) for a well organized 2023/24 league football season and the federation cup devoid of any serious controversies and rancho
2. The Congress in session commend the Clubs for providing the platform for our members (players ) to ply their trade and get paid in return for their services
3. The Congress in session applauds and commend the NFF for setting up the Players status and arbitration committee after almost ten years of its non existence which has given new hope to players and coaches owed salaries and other related disputes and wants the NFF to enforce the decisions of the committee
4. The Congress in session applauds and commend the TUC for joining force with her sister labour Center, the NLC to negotiate a new minimum wage for Nigeria workers
5. The Congress in session applauds and commend the leadership of the players union through the players board for initiating the new Governance structure largely made up of current players and for standing Strong to defend their decision Inspite of the numerous intimidations from opposing groups
6. The Congress in session wants the TUC to prevail on the NFF to revisit the decisions from the tripartite meeting of December 27th 2014 between, TUC, NFF and the Players’ Union regarding directives to Clubs through the various leagues bodies for deduction and remittance of Membership dues to the union, including the signing of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with guarantee fund for the union in line with global best practices
7. The Congress in session wants the league bodies and the clubs to improve on the general welfare of players in areas of salaries, travels to matches, match fixtures, capacity building, etc that guarantee their safety, security and comfort in carrying out their assignments
8. The Congress in session wants the NFF to set up as a matter of urgent necessity the “ Professional Football Negotiating and Consultation committee made up of representatives of the Football Federation, the Leagues, the Clubs and the Players’ union to discuss all matters affecting the game and players, no change to a player’s condition should be made without the union’s contributions in line with global best practices
9. The Congress in session wants the League bodies to device a workable means and process of ensuring players get copies of the contracts they sign in accordance with the relevant provisions of the league rules
10. The Congress in session denounce every other body/ bodies masquerading as players Union in Nigeria, since NANPF is the only union operating with the certificate of trade unions in the country which is the legal instrument that legalize a body to operate as a trade union in accordance with the trade unions act of 2004 as amended and wants the NFF to amend the provisions of art
10.1, in her statutes to properly define the status of the players Association as enshrined in the statutes to clear any form of ambiguity as contained therein
11. The Congress in session ratified the players board as presently composed with some adjustments in line with the relevant provisions of its constitution as amended
12. The Congress in session mandated the players board and operational board to set up relevant committees to kick start the process and implementation of the following union projects
<span;>* Affiliation with the players world body ( Fifpro) through its Africa division in accordance with the relevant arts of Fifpro Statutes
<span;>* Players Membership Registration through the players mobilisation and registration taskforce covering all categories of members , which includes, Professionals, Semi-Professionals and Ex – Professionals
<span;>* Reactivation of the “Footballers Welfare Foundation “ (FWF) which is already registered with CAC
<span;>* The Footballers Contributory Pension Scheme and National Health Insurance Scheme
<span;>* The setting up of a training camp/program for unemployed players members for capacity building and creation of Jobs
<span;>* Partnership with the Community Football Foundation (CFF) to facilitate the establishment of more Football Clubs that are Community/membership Association owned as a means of providing Jobs opportunities for players members
<span;>* To start planning 2024/2025 Clubs Captains Mid-Season leadership Seminar/union Fund raising game for January 2025
<span;>* Partnership with “Players Welfare Initiative “ an NGO, a mental health support program for players
* ” Nigeria Players Ball Awards “
13. The Congress in session ratified the composition of the pioneering directors of the “ Final Score Football Academy “ the training arm of the union
COMMINIQUE DRAFTING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
1. MORRIS SILAS – CHAIRMAN
2. GOLBE ELISHA – VICE CHAIRMAN
3. RABO MOHAMMED
4. ADEMOLA OMIDIJI
5. KENNEDY ONWUNALI
6. AUGUSTINE FESTUS
7. PETER NIEKETIEN
8. BELLO-LASORO ABUBAKAR – SECRETAR
