AFN gives States February 28 deadline for payment of Affiliation Fees

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, has given States until Friday February 28 as deadline for the payment of their annual affiliation fees or face the consequences.

In a letter signed by its Secretary General, Israel Inwang, and addressed to States Chairmen and Commissioners of Sports as well as all states director of sports, the AFN reiterated the importance of the payment and warns states risk having their athletes barred from competiting in all AFN organized competitions/events among other sanctions.

The letter, titled: Payment of annual affiliation fees for year 2024/25 season, the AFN says the fees are mandatory.

‘As part of our effort to continue to work together to achieve our shared goals, I am writing to remind you that your annual affiliation fees for the year is long overdue.

‘In line with international best practices, annual affiliation fees are a mandatory financial obligation due to the governing body at the start of each year.

‘Regrettably, our records show that we are yet to receive your yearly affiliation fees for 2024 and 2025 season.

‘We kindly request that you settle this payment immediately so your athletes will be eligible to compete in all AFN organized competitions/events and your delegate will be eligible to attend and vote during AFN Annual General Congress,’ the AFN wrote and directed where payments should be made to.

The AFN says payments should be made to an Ecobank account number 0351007892 owned by the Treasurer of the Federation, Ekeopara Innocent Chinweike, an act that can put the Federation, especially its President, Tonobok Okowa who may feign ignorance of this, the Secretary General and the Treasurer herself into trouble.

Even State Athletics Associations may also be culpable in paying government money, as it were, into a private account.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC, is still investigation why Sponsorship Fees meant for the AFN from Premium Trust Bank were paid into the wrong accounts and why the former Secretary General, Rita Mosindi transacted the Federation’s business using her private bank account.