By Daily Sports on December 22, 2015

The Nigeria Players Union has acquired a new status and name. This was communicated to union officials through a letter from the Office of the Registrar of Trade Unions, dated 17th December 2015, with reference ML.ITU/138/I/152.

Presenting the Letter of Approval and Certificate of Registration to the President and General Secretary of the Players Union, Comrades Dahiru Sadi (mfr) and Austin Popo, on December 18 in Abuja, the Registrar of Trade Unions, Mrs N. Mbogu, declared: “The Players Union,  having completed and satisfied the processes for registration as a trade union as stipulated in the Trade Union Act CAP T.14 OF 2014, the union is hereby issued with the Certificate of Registration of Trade Union – Operating with the name of National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers as a Union of Workers, duly registered under the provisions of the Trade Union Act CAP T.14 of 2004 as amended by the Trade Union, (Amendment) Act, 2005, plus a true certified copy of the Approved Rules (Constitution).”

Responding, Dahiru Sadi thanked the Registrar and assured of the union’s commitment to the cause of players’ welfare. He promised that the union will use her new status, guaranteed by the certificate, to better the lives of her members. Sadi noted that the union is now better placed, professionally and legally, to protect and promote the rights and interests of Nigerian players without any kind of intimidation, fear or favour.

On his part, Popo reflected on the very tedious journey embarked upon by the union, which started since 2006. He said: “Acquiring this certificate marks the beginning of the end of a period that has practically enslaved our players who, more often than not, are treated as cheap commodities in the market. The union is no doubt today professionally and legally positioned to deliver its mandate to her members, which cuts across areas such as Collective Bargaining, Industrial Relations, Dispute Prevention and Settlement, Players Professionalism, Development and Welfare.

“Furthermore, the union is now better positioned, with guaranteed access to the requisite statutory funding, shall be able to play a major role in assisting the growth and development of the game, so that in return the game can reward and protect our members.

“Finally, in view of this development, the union shall commence a massive restructuring in line with its approved Constitution, beginning from the states from the month of January 2016.

“The union plans to also present copies of the certificate and Constitution to all relevant stakeholders, including the Trade Union Congress, Nigeria Football Federation, National Sports Commission, the States Football Associations, the League Bodies, Football Clubs, etc, as soon as  possible.

•Photo shows President and General Secretary of the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (formerly Nigeria Players Union), Comrades Dahiru Sadi (mfr) and Austin Popo, displayig the Letter of Approval and Certificate of Registration after receiving them from the Registrar of Trade Unions, Mrs N. Mbogu . . . on December 18 in Abuja.

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 22, 2015

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