FIFA President Gianni Infantino has congratulated Amaju Pinnick, the former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on his appointment as an Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
Before handing over power to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, former President Muhammadu Buhari named Amaju Pinnick as one of the recipients of the national honour.
Mamman Daura, Godwin Emefiele, and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, are also recipients of the national honour.
Gianni Infantino issued a letter of congratulations to Nigerian football administrator Pinnick in response to his inclusion among the awardees.
Infantino stated in the letter that Amaju Pinnick, who is currently a member of the FIFA Council, is deserving of the award because of his extraordinary dedication to the growth of football, particularly within the FIFA Council.
Infantino’s letter read;
Using this letter, I have the great pleasure to express to you my warmest congratulations on the award of the prestigious Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) bestowed to you by His Excellency Mr. Muhammadu Buhari.
This is a well-deserved honour that rewards your passion and exemplary commitment to 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.
Congratulating you once again for this important distinction, I look forward to seeing you again soon.