FIFA president Gianni Infantino has sent a personal congratulatory message to Amaju Pinnick on the conferment of a national award.
Former Nigeria Football Federation president Pinnick was one of the scores of Nigerians honoured with national awards by President Muhammadu Buhari last month on the eve of his handover of power to Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Pinnick, who is a member of the FIFA Council, the world football governing body’s highest decision-making organ, was honoured with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) award.
In a letter dated June 2 and titled ‘Congratulations message’, Infantino wrote: “Dear Amaju, by the means of this letter, I have the great pleasure to express to you my warmest congratulations on the award of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) bestowed on you by His Excellency Mr Muhammadu Buhari.
“This is a well-deserved honour that rewards your passion and exemplary commitment at the service of the international football community, particularly within the FIFA Council.
“Your human qualities and skills, not to mention your remarkable contribution to the development of Nigerian, African and world football, deserve our admiration.”
Pinnick served two terms as NFF president between 2014 and 2022 and became a member of the FIFA Council in 2021.
