Super Eagles coach’s appointment: NANS disassociate self from protest

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), on Friday, distanced itself and disowned one Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, who claimed to be the Clerk of the NANS Senate, where he purportedly threatened a nationwide protest over the appointment of Eric Chelle as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

In a statement signed by NANS senate president, Afeez Akinteye on Friday, he condemned the move by the group while describing it as baseless and fraudulent, which according to him does not represent the stance of the leadership of NANS nor the sentiments of Nigerian students nationwide.

He stressed that the said group is headed by impostors who are not members of the executive body of NANS .

Akinteye however implored the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to remain resolute in its professional decisions and ignore the threats of protest by the group .

“The attention of the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been drawn to a frivolous and mischievous report credited to a person , who claims to be the Clerk of the NANS Senate, wherein he purportedly threatened a nationwide protest over the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

“It is imperative to categorically state that this position is baseless, fraudulent, and does not represent the stance of the leadership of NANS nor does it reflect the sentiments of Nigerian students nationwide. For the record, the said person holds no position in the organization as claimed. Ergo, the NFF should disregard the threat of protest.

“Thus, we unequivocally dissociate ourselves from the disingenuous utterances of these self-appointed individuals, whose credentials and affiliation with NANS are dubious at best. It is evident that they are criminals attempting to exploit the respected name of NANS for nefarious blackmail and financial inducement.

“We call on security agencies to immediately invite and investigate these impostors for impersonation and an attempt to incite public unrest. Their recklessness constitutes a direct affront to the credibility and integrity of NANS as an institution.

“To the media, we express our disappointment in the unprofessionalism exhibited by platforms that lent their voices to these fallacious claims without verifying the authenticity of their sources. It is the duty of reputable media outlets to uphold journalistic standards and desist from amplifying unsubstantiated narratives. The press must demonstrate more responsibility by verifying the identities and affiliations of individuals before granting them access to platforms capable of influencing public perception.

“On the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle, NANS acknowledges and respects the prerogative of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make technical decisions that they believe will advance the fortunes of Nigerian football. We implore the NFF to remain resolute in its professional decisions and ignore the empty threats of protest by nonentities masquerading as NANS representatives.

“However, we strongly urge the NFF to extend their scouting activities to Nigerian campuses, where a plethora of untapped football talents reside. By creating a pipeline that identifies, develops, and promotes homegrown players, the Federation will be making a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian football.

“Ultimately, let it be known that no organ of NANS, at any level, has endorsed or proposed any protest against the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as the Super Eagles coach. Any claims to the contrary are the concoctions of desperate impostors whose agenda remains suspect and antithetical to the progress of Nigerian students,” the statement read.

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