Athletics Federation of Nigeria president, Tonobok Okowa, has dismissed a petition by some dissenting members calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), to scrutinise the finances of the federation.
Chief Okowa said it was laughable his vice presidents Fidelis Gadzama, Rosa Collins and three others could accused the AFN board of misappropriating funds based on the report of the AFN Audit Committee, which claimed to uncovered violations.
Okowa said there was nothing to hide and when called upon by any of the nation’s investigative bodies, the books would be opened.
He said the rebelling members only agenda was to become stumbling blocks to athletics development.
The AFN held its board meeting on January 6, 2024, where some issues affecting the federation, including the Audit Committee Reports were looked into. At that meeting, which was attended by nine members, the AFN board dissolved its committees after serving two years. The board also refused to uphold a particular recommendation of the Audit committee, which tagged the various funds loaned to the federation by the president, Okowa, as ‘donations.’
The Board unanimously agreed that Chief Okowa should be refunded his money, as well as all other members who loaned out monies to the Federation.
Okowa stated that the discontented members are mischievously trying to create a crisis in the AFN as their selfish agenda is not materialising.
“I think these people are just looking for a way to call us (AFN) bad names before the general public. In the first place, as the AFN president, I have the power to approve money for the federation to execute its various programme of activities,” said Okowa
“Early last year, the AFN was finding it difficult to raise money to organize its competitions. This same Gadzama led two other board members to my house in Abuja, where he pleaded that I should loan the AFN money to stage the various legs of the Golden League and some other events, and that I would get my money back as soon as funds are available.
“Before they left my house, I promised that I would see what I can do in that regard. But I also pleaded with Gadzama and the other board members to also find a way to assist the federation with funds.
“Gadzama said he had no money at that moment and that I should look for a way to bail out the AFN.
“Then, the country was preparing for the general election, and as the AFN President, I thought of the shame that would come up if we failed to hold the various Golden Leagues to prepare the athletes for the various international competitions for last year. By that time, our Marketing Committee was already working on a sponsorship deal with a bank.
“I had to source for money for the Golden Leagues held in Kaduna, Abuja, Benin City and Uyo as well as some other events. So, when money was available, the secretariat refunded some of my money. Not all the money had been paid back to me till this moment. So, where have I done wrong? “Gadzama, Rosa Collins and co have turned around to say that the money I loaned to the AFN to organize those competitions were ‘donations’. The Board has looked at it and decided that what they are saying is wrong.”
Also speaking on the petition by the feuding members another AFN board member said that all those involved in the fight were waging a vindictive war because of the refusal of Okowa and the secretariat to yield to certain demands made by them
“ That was the genesis of the problem. They think they can fool the EFCC, ICPC and Nigerians,” said the AFN member.
” We may have to go rough soon because these people are taking everyone of us for granted. Let’s wait and see what happens.
” These are former athletes who have been causing problem for the AFN over the years.
“Just Imagine in a year we are preparing for Africa Games, World Indoor and the Olympic Games, they are out causing us distractions…do they mean well for Nigerian athletics?”
