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Before the start of the 2023 NPFL season, NFF president Ibrahim Gusau had warned that 'it would no longer be 'business as usual'.
Faith Irabor, the chairman of the NFF Referees' Committee, has promised that Nigerian referees will continue to give their all to ensure the success of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
She made the promise at the FIFA badge presentation ceremony for 29 Nigerian referees earlier this week.
The start of the 2023 NPFL season have already seen three match officials suspended after questionable performances.
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However, Irabor said that while nobody is above mistakes, the referees will continue to give their best and will justify the confidence reposed in them by the NFF.
Nigerian referees are just beginning - Irabor
"Mistakes of the head and mistakes of the mind are not the same. NFF has read the riot act that they are going to provide an enabling environment and they have kept to their word," Irabor said as the NFF oversaw the investiture of the FIFA badges on 29 referees.
"All we need to do is to reciprocate because nobody wants to go to the match venue and be taken home dead.
“Now we have security in place. Now the clubs don’t harass referees, they allow them to do their job and that is why we are getting the best now. They are also paid their remuneration before they leave their home they are credited. And you don’t have anything than to be the best.
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"If you are not ready to work in the present NFF executive led by the president who said he has come to change the narrative, you are asked to leave the scene while others will be brought in.
“We are just beginning," Irabor added. "If by Week 5 we have got these excellent results, let’s hope for the best because it is still a work in progress and we are not there yet.
Nigerian referees lose one of their own
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) on Friday announced the death of one of its members, an assistant referee Kingsley Nnaemeka Eneogwe.
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Eneogwe, a medical doctor and a member of the Abia State referees council, was said to have died after being involved in a fatal accident on Thursday.
The unfortunate incident occured while Eneogwe was returning from Plateau United's 2-1 victory over Nasarawa United in Kaduna, a game he served as one of the officials.
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