APFON gets pioneer exco Akamba Awah vows to lead struggle for ex players By Emmanuel Akpan

The pioneer executive members of the Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria (APFON) Akwa Ibom State chapter have been inaugurated.

The exco members are Morris Silas as chairman, Ubong Ukpa – vice chairman, Obot Boniface – secretary, Enyiene Akpabio – P.R.O., Uwem Linus – organizing secretary, Barr. Imott Ekong – legal adviser, Mrs. Charity Sampson – treasurer, Edidiong Stephen – director of media, Chris Bassey – director of operations, Godwin Morgan – male director of grassroots, Udeme Thompson – female director of grassroots and Ita Uboh as welfare officer.

In a brief introduction of APFON, the national secretary, Comrade Austin Popo said the benefits of someone being a member is that the association will protect and promote the commercial interest of players, help members to find employment during and after their playing career, to provide help to current and ex-players and members who are in financial difficulties, ensures free legal and financial advises for players. 

Comrade Popo outlined other benefits to include: provision of financial assistance to current and ex-players undertaking educational and vocational training, provide an insurance against death and permanent disabilities, makes substantial contribution towards medicals insurance for all members on the condition that all premier, pro-league and local clubs provide medical, ensures good working condition and security of employment for members, while providing representation for players in contract negotiation, dispute and disciplinary hearing and also to encourage the development and education of young football talents.

Inaugurating the exco, the national president of APFON, Alhaji Dahiru Sadi charged the new exco to work-hard in order to actualize the dreams and struggles of the association. Alhaji Sadi noted that APFON has obtained approval from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) adding that the association has cut across all the state in the federation.

In an acceptance speech, the chairman of APFON Akwa Ibom State chapter, Comrade Morris Silas said the Association is made up of collective voice of all Nigerian footballers and therefore the issue of players welfare which is paramount and pre-condition to the development of football in Nigeria will be given priority, adding that issues bordering on players welfare which pose a serious threat to the development of our footballers and by extension the Nigerian league to include club indebtedness to players and coaches, non-compliance with arbitration decisions, lack of enforcement by football regulations and organization especially NFF, non-existent of a dispute resolution chambers and players status committee. 

According to him “football administration should not only recognize the specific nature of football, they should also recognize the special nature of footballers and treat them accordingly. This association intends to initiate and provide support to our ex-players and coaches as well as creating a platform for discussion and collaboration with non-governmental organization (NGOs) and Community Based Organization (CBOs) for the development of life skill among our youths including prevention of violent and create employment opportunities.

Also in his special remarks, the state chairman of trade union congress, Comrade Akamba Awah vowed to lead the struggle of the association in order for sign on fees and insurance of players who played for Akwa United, Akwa Starlet as well as Ibom Angels to be paid.
Comrade Awah while commending the effort of APFON, maintained that APFON is affiliated with Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and frowned at why the government should be treating ex-players who have one way or the other made the state proud.

In his words “I promised to lead the struggle now that the chapter have officially inaugurated and recognized by the national body, our ex-players have been treated badly in the state, as a union leader, we are going to agitate for a proper contract agreement, good welfare package for our ex-players and coaches especially in Akwa Ibom State” he vowed.