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Amos AdamuNigerian sports official
Country:
 Nigeria |
Content:
- Amos Adamu
- Educational Background and Early Career
- Major Contributions to Nigerian Sports
- FIFA and CAF Involvement
- Allegations of Corruption
- Ongoing Investigations and Repercussions
Amos Adamu
Amos Adamu is a former Director-General of the National Sports Commission of Nigeria. He occupied this position for a decade before being relieved of his duties in November 2008. Before his appointment as Director-General, Dr. Adamu worked with the Sports Ministry. Currently, Adamu's name is embroiled in a scandal involving the sale of votes on FIFA's Executive Committee.
Educational Background and Early Career
Amos Adamu holds a doctorate in physical and health education. He began his career as a university lecturer before joining the National Institute of Sports (NIS). In 1992, Adamu was appointed Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA). His success in this role led to his transfer to the Federal Ministry of Sports as Director of Sports Development.
Major Contributions to Nigerian Sports
Adamu was instrumental in organizing the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria and the 2000 Nations Cup. In December 2000, Dr. Adamu became the President of the Organizing Committee for the 8th All-Africa Games, which were held in October 2003 at the newly constructed Abuja Stadium. Adamu advised the government to sell the stadium after the games to prevent vandalism. In 2005, he became a member of the organizing committee for Africa's first-ever World Cup finals, held in South Africa in 2010.
FIFA and CAF Involvement
In 2006, Adamu oversaw the transformation of the Sports Ministry into the National Sports Commission. He then became a member of the executive committees of FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and the West Africa Football Union (WAFU).
Allegations of Corruption
In May 2008, a sports official from a southern Nigerian state accused Adamu of corruption and cronyism before the Senate Sports Committee. The National Sports Commission launched an investigation into these allegations in July 2008. On November 6, 2008, President Umaru Yar'adua relieved Dr. Amos Adamu of his duties as Director-General of the National Sports Commission. Adamu was eventually reassigned to the position of former Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Abdulrahman Gimba, without any explanation.
Ongoing Investigations and Repercussions
As of January 2009, Adamu was a member of FIFA's 24-member executive committee. He was due to appear in a Nigerian court to file a claim for damages of £2.3 million after a local newspaper published allegations of corruption 15 months prior. In August 2009, Adamu stated that the problems in Nigerian sports that had worsened since his reassignment fully vindicated him. However, on October 17, 2010, the British newspaper 'Sunday Times' reported that Amos Adamu had allegedly agreed to accept £500,000 in exchange for influencing the voting process for the 2018 World Cup. Adamu denied the allegations, and an investigation is ongoing.
