Another Rewind It is time we as a people need to examine our conscience, look at our past so as to help us understand our present. We were celebrated for our achievements in the 1970s, and the question was why? we were celebrated for great accomplishments such as hosting the 2nd All African Games, were we showcased the likes of Charlton Ehizuelen, , in the Long and Triple jump, Modupe Oshikoya in the hurdles, Dele Udo in the 400m, Peter Okodogbe in the 100m just to mention a few. In 1977, we hosted the biggest gathering of all Black nations and black people known as Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture -FESTAC 77, We were in the forefront of fighting against Apartheid in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s as well. In the 1970s and 1980s we were respected, and we called ourselves the giant of Africa, we were know for sports and our culture and because of our determination to promote our culture and expose our people to the best of the world at that time, Director of sports Isaac Akioye, hired the likes of coach Lee Evans, John Carlos, Leon Coleman as coaches for Nigeria, in construction, Nigeria hired the best in the business to support our people, we had fougeroll, Julius Berger, we centers such as Leventis, Eastern Shop, Kingsway, Bata shoe, the railway system was still going strong, the roads were maintained, Salaries of employees were paid on time. Major General Gowon, and his regime were a blessing to our nation. During these years, we were respected for our knowledge and resources, it was during this time that coach Lee Evans helped put Nigeria in the map with such athletes as Mary Akinyemi, Kayode Vaughan, after which Sunday Uti, Henry Amike, Yussuf Alli, and many more. I know this will bring back a lot of memories to a lot of us and as you reflect my question is what happened to the Nigeria that was known for many great things to the Nigeria today? Remember how we HELPED liberate South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, as the Giant of Africa remember how we used to lead the Organization of African Unity( OAU) , the question is what is happening to us, the countries we liberated are doing better than us today, they have 24 hour electricity, these were countries we supplied electricity, many African countries including Ghana used to come to Nigeria for vacation, but now, we go to these countries for vacation, when I was growing up we were a nation that took pride in our culture, but today we spank our children for speaking our tribal languages, my people the question is why? Sports was one of the key elements that hold us together, I am Yoruba and I celebrated Chidi Imohs athletic success, I celebrated Fatimat Yusuf and Ado Mauode victories, it wasnt about tribe but it was about one nation under God. When did we fall apart? My people, the few things we are known we are losing our identity on, today when we say we are Nigerians other countries look as us funny because of some of our peoples email Freud :419 , government corruption, that is called authority stealing, barbaric killing called Boko Haram or jungle justice when four college students were killed for Laptops, Giants of Africa behaving like that? Why do we hate each other so much, it is come to the point that our fellow Nigerians in the western world are not welcome home, by our fellow country men and women. My people what is going on, we have a Nigerian Head coach for our Green Eagles, and he has done well so far considering how they tried to sabotage him at the World cup qualifying, up still today they still want to hire foreign coaches, the same way they have hired foreign coaches in Athletes, my question is did the stakeholders look at the CV of these coaches, who is Gabriel Okon, who have they all coached? Why are we bringing rejects and pips as coaches? Please look into the employment of these coaches, our investigation is very reveling and we want you to find out why we have a coach that have never held a position of sport performance director in any sport be the one to lead our nation. Ask them why our only medal hopeful at the World Indoor Championships was pulled from the semi finals of the 400m. We have read a lot about our AFN and the board members, the question is why did they reward a failed board with 4 more years? Please look into this drug issue with Lee Evans, the whole world of track and field think the evidence does not make sense. Why are we not nurturing our athletes in Nigeria? Why do we have only one athlete that did well after 4 years in a country of 180 million, the answer from our findings is very interesting. Honorable Minister of Sports, want to use this opportunity to congratulate you on your new appointment as the new Minister of Sports, , Am not sure your religious believes, but will ask you to let Allah or Jesus guide you, not trying to tell you what to do, but will ask you to do right, surround yourself with the right people (Wise men and women) not people professing themselves to be wise, please look into every aspect of your job, the Federation Presidents and National Sports commission Directors are going around saying that they will buy you with money, teach you how to steal your share, they are saying you are a political appointee and because of that they will convince you to allow them to make money during this Commonwealth Games and African Championships. You need to ask questions, Sir, if they fight you over anyone you want to bring into your department, it is only because the person will be in the way of their authority stealing. Do not let them sell you the ideal that they will use their personal money cause thats a part of their way of stealing, most of these sports officials have no job but they have houses everywhere in the world. God appointed you not man, so do not be afraid of what man can do to you. You need to bring change in sports in Nigeria, reshuffle National Sports commission, they and the Federation presidents are the corrupt engine in Nigeria, remember that to Who much is given Much is required. This is your time, make the Best of it. For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come into the open.
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 12:58:00 +0000
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