Onyali: Nigeria is used to fake kits so why the new noise?

Onyali...wetin happen now? Talk o!

*What happened to the Nike contract

No training shoes for athletes in the London Olympics.  Why is Mary Onyali being ‘prosecuted’ now? Of all places, Vanguard, the official propaganda newspaper of the AFN was the spearheading agency of the reportage. Has she been used and now needs to be dumped so the lapdog is made to do the dirty job of reporting the grounds.

Let us start from somewhere. Who supplied the kits that Team Nigerian used at the African championship in Port Novo? Were those kits not fake? If Onyali supplied fake kits, was there no precedence? What is immoral in Mary’s? that she is serving on the LOC of AYAC. There is a greater immorality, economic and financial crime in the supply for Port Novo then

Can someone ask, why was the Nike contract spurned? What happened to the Nike contract? Team Nigeria should never have anything to do with any other kit that is not Nike. It is a fact that the Nike contract has to be jettisoned otherwise those who use it to get some other advantages won’t have the instrument of coercion in their hands to get the advantage they use to get.

It is obvious that the quality and quantity of scandals in the Federation is larger than life. No wonder, everything must be done to help Ogba return for a second term. He failed his first term and the most logical reason, like in school, is to repeat the class.

Already, a source called me this afternoon and said, “you can write all the trash in the whole world. We have gotten confidence of the powers that be (referring to the National Sports Commission) so, the media will not be the voter. Once that is settled, you will have enough to write for another four years.”

Whatever, the issue of Onyali is obvious. She has gotten her share of the Warri largesse worth N6.2million. That is if that is the real value she was paid. She must have kicked-back and front-kicked such that what is left is not worth the strain and therefore, she went for the quality that what she was paid could bear.

This is what someone in the federation said may have informed Onyali’s supply mathematics. In the face of these, is the NSC not asking question, why must we expend money on kits when we have a standing contract with Nike?

AFN: Teaching athletes to be fraudulent

Sports Minister, Abdullahi...is cheating an official policy?

It was discovered that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is not a good institution to have growing children. Apart from being taught how to take various banned drug substances, they teach children how to lie and cheat.

You will recall the well investigated cases of the four athletes we exposed days ago, one of them was made to change name. The use of a third name was deliberate to confuse issues. Nowhere in Athletics championships have three names been a practice until this championship, again, by Nigeria.

When shall cheating stop as an official policy? Why must tis be? All in the desperate bid to win the African Youth Athletics Championship?  This is sad and a big disgrace.

Knowing fully well that she is over-aged, the AFN officials had to change her name. She left school in 2008. She is presently a graduate of the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. Yet, she is 17 years of age!

Assuming she entered primary school as a three year old. Assuming she jumped from class five to secondary school. She would have been 8 years. She spent six years in secondary school, she would have left at 14. By this logic, she would have been born in 1994. By the same logic, she should be 19 years.

Coaching athletes to use drugs: It is certain that one of those tagged as a “coach” in the Nigerian team is red-marked even by the IAAF. He was linked to majority of drug web issues in the Nigerian athletics fold.

Now, take this. Let’s call her name Mercy. Mercy is the daughter of a former Nigerian international athlete. She was born and bred in the United State of America. Her first time in the Nigerian national team was the eve of the Olympics. It is coincidental that she was caught in the drug scam on her maiden Nigerian outing.

Was it coincidental? No. When she returned to the United States, she told the father of the source of the drug and it happened to be our friend, the ‘coach.’

Taught to be sex toys too: Who says the other athletes in the care of this ‘coach’ will not be coached to take drugs. In the same national team is the ‘coach’ who told Jamila (not her name) that she should come to his room to be slept with. That, world class athletes are slept with by their coaches to enhance their performance. The girl refused and till date has been shut out of the national team despite increasing her performance!

Elections: How Minister congratulated Ogba for second term victory

This Kenyan girl ran against her mother's age mates in Warri

My dear Sports Minister, I forsee you helping Nigeria’s sports into the innermost part of hell. We are at the periphery of hell presently.

I sympathise with you as a politician. Every politician in public office is just there to collect their retirement benefits and share of the national cake. This is very true of the sports ministers who had passed this col since 1999 except for Late Ishaya Mark Aku and Abdulrahman Gimba.

While of the 12 ministers before you, none had prepared the ground for a more monumental failure of the system like you, it is obvious that eight to 12 years after you would have left office (whenever you leave) we shall continue to nurse the scab of the injuries your decisions would have left.

Football: You have grossly helped our football to continue to die. You decided to politically solve the problems of our football. Today, the NFF remains illegal. You wanted them to become NFA when they swore to an affidavit with which they got a judgment that they are not NFA.

Two, you have told the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) that he is so stupid as his directives have no meaning to your activities. Lest he wrote you on the 2^nd June 2011 not to give any Appropriated fund to the NFF because they are not known to law. You contravened his directive, gave out Appropriated funds, and admitted it publicly.

Three, you tried to legalise the NFF becoming NFA after fraudulently lying to a court by making the NFF President sign incorporation papers of the League Management Company (LMC) as “NFA President” which he is not.

Four, see how the Senate courtesy of your ministry is making of a foolery of our institution? How can the senate be repealing NFA Act to make room for NFF and the NFF President tells them, we are moving back to the former house called NFA? So, the senate is a toy house that does not know what they are doing?

Five, let me congratulate you with the accidental discharge which the African Nations Cup won in South Africa represents. Does your ministry have a team for it to have spent N220m on items of expenditure that the NFF is spending too? Does it mean that the issue of collecting retirement benefits and taking your share of the cake is right?

I hope you are not getting peeved? Please ask for the tape of the NTA Tuesday Night Live on the 13^th February 2013, as the 13^th sports minister, in his 13^th minute contribution, Hon. Godfrey Gaiya, chairman, sports committee, House of Representatives told the nation clearly about this.

Athletics: I read with grace your Warri comments of commendation to the biggest fraud and administration that has ever and probably, can ever rule Nigeria’s athletics.

First, Mr. Minister, you are aware that the salaries of the AFN Secretary is paid by the IAAF. Yet, she is your ministry’s staff. Yet, you pay monthly. Is this financially right? The Ghanaian equivalent was investigated, found out, prosecuted and jailed.

Two, if in the last four years, it is an official policy to use grand parents as cadets in our athletics does not embarrass you, you were in Warri. Did you not see my age mates in Nigeria’s colours? Haba! Minister, did you not see this young Kenyan on the tracks? Are there no equivalents in Nigeria?

Three, in our reports on www.gongnews.net we raised and proved four cases of over aged athletes. We did the same in 2011. Does it prick your heart to ask questions?

Four, we raised the issue of sexual harassment by ‘coaches’ that is what Mr. Ogba called them. Nothing has been done to verify or act against this. I can conclude hence that any female athlete that wants or is competing for Nigeria must have been sexually battered by the ‘coaches.’ I need to be proven wrong.

Five, while you rhetorically preach against drug use by athletes, your greatest models are in three categories:

1.            Former athlete known even by IAAF as a drug courier because he has been severally named as the source of many of the athletes banned is in your national team;

2.            All your national team ‘coaches’ are not trained coaches. I make bold to say none of them is a graduate of any university norof any course. So they will teach the athletes (they are not young) to become drop-outs like them. The trained coaches because of their principles have been shut out in the rain because they will not open their laps to be slept with (despite that they are married) neither will the males among them because they will not kiss leprous legs of current administrators;

3.            Former athletes who had been caught for drugs, banned and remain banned. Thought you will recommend to Mr. President to grant them “Full pardon” to enable them compete into the federation and teach our young ones how to take drugs.

These heroes and heroines of the National Sports Commission (including my friend, Yusuf Ali) who stole the generator of the NSC once, are the once telling Nigerians that Solomon Ogba deserves a second term.

Candidly, from the innermost part of arrangements (guidelines), have you and your staff not closed the door against any opponent of Ogba? Ogba is PDP like the minister, who dares ask Ogba not to contest or win? He has even won before the selection! Congratulations jare, Mr. Solomon Ogba. Carry go jo.

As I was watching the pparty where the celebration of Ogba’s second term was going on in Warri, the new AFN secretariat (Abuja is the liaison office), I saw the sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi leading the toast to the new Tsar’s re-election. I suddenly woke up and found a pen in my hand with the paper carrying, “My dear sports minister”

Athletics: Nigeria in age-fraud again

Ogba...another fraud in our hands

For the umpteenth time, the nation’s officials in charge of athletics have perpetrated all manners of fraud in a bid to win at all cost a championship they are not bound to win despite its developmental badge.

The African Youth Athletics Championship (AYAC 2013) starting in Warri today is tainted already with fraudulent but deliberate representation by the nation. Four specific cases will suffice.

1.            Divine Oduduru: This is a 100m athlete. The nation is made to believe he is 15 years of age. He is reputed to be running 10.05seconds. We are also made to believe he is an SSS 3 student of West End Mixed Secondary School, Asaba. These facts can be true but what is not true includes the following. In 2011, this same athlete competed in this same category of championship. His birth record in that championship is 14/05/94 (17 years then). His birth record for the AYAC 2013 ironically shares the same day and month but he’s growing younger! He is still 17 in 2013. His current record is 14/05/96.

2.            Ismaila Yusuf: He is of Ekiti state stock. He competed in 2011 at the same category of championship. What happened to the old rule where youth athletes are not allowed to compete twice in the same category? His past and current records are obscure. Suspicion is rife that he must have enjoyed the sane age retrogression Oduduru enjoyed.

3.            Sarah Kadiri: She is so lucky, Her age is by what is in the public domain 06.12.1993. but the same athlete being smuggled to compete in AYAC 2013 has a new age left at 12/06/95. She has also grown younger by two years plus! She competed in 2011 where she ran 100m. by her official age, she is 18 years. By her other official age, she is 20+.

4.            Temidayo Osibanjo: This is a Heptathlete. She is a graduate of Isolo Girls Secondary school, class of 2008. She was 12^th in the 2010 Mobil championships. She is presently a graduate of the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. Yet, she is 17 years of age. Assuming she enter primary school as a three year old. Assuming she jumped from class five to secondary school. She would have been 8 years. She spent six years in secondary school, she would have left at 14. By this logic, she would have been born in 1994. By the same logic, she should be 19 years.

I will ruin your career –Ijirigho tells young athlete

AFN President, Solomon Ogba

*for sponsoring self to compete for Cross River

Dr. Bruce Ijirigho, the consultant to the Cross River state athletics development project, has promised 16-year old Edoki Phabean, a high and long jump athlete, that he will ruin his career and ensure he does not compete for Nigeria.
What is Phabean’s sin? Phabean alongside three other athletes from the state: Benedicta Okorie (Tripple and long jump), Blessing Ofoeneme (400m and 200m) and David Eyo (Discuss and triple jump) went for the D. K. Olukoya athletics championship in Lagos to compete for their state when it was obvious that the state was not going to attend the championship.
The Olukoya event was the basis for the selection to the African Youth Athletics championship. The four athletes on merit qualified to represent Nigeria in Warri.
On return to Calabar, the Cross River state capital, the consultant were angry that the athletes took their own funds to go to Lagos. He demanded for apology from the athletes which he was given.
Phabean and Benedicta had to lose their month’s allowance in addition. When the national camp opened, Ijirigho sent in 12 athletes. Eight were ‘under aged’ and did not compete in the qualifiers and were returned back to Calabar.
Angry and furious, he ordered and was alleged to have paid national team coaches to send the two stubborn athletes out of camp. They had to travel to Calabar from Port-Harcourt to apologise to Ijirigho. The duo returned to Port-Harcourt upon complaints to Maria Woophil, the secretary general, from where they were asked to go back so as to avoid the trouble of Ijirigho making the athletes spend more time on the road than in camp.
Back home, Chief Edoki, Phabean’s 65-year old father took Ijirigho on. Ijirigho lied it was the Commissioner. When Chief Edoki got to the Commissioner, he pointed at Ijirigho. The matter was taken to the Governor’s Chief of Staff who called for a meeting this morning.
As it is, the Nigerian contingent is formed and excluding the two young athletes. To pacify the dad, he was offered money, which he rejected.
Has Dr. Bruce Ijirigho not started destroying the career of the athlete he threatened? We shall update our readers with the further developments in the state. Keep up with us.

CAF election: Magiari sets up fight to finish with Adamu

Dr Adamu, Maigari, Rafiu Ladipo when the going was sweet

*No more approval for Copa Lagos beach soccer

*Six of Adamu’s men in the FA faces sack

by Olajide Fashikun

For his alleged role in the failure of the sitting President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, in winning the last elective congress to Confederation of African Football Executive Committee, Dr. Amos Adamu’s son, Samson, may no more enjoy the support and approval of the federation again.

An authoritative insider in the football house told www.gongnews.net that, “Dr. Amos Adamu for his own selfish interests worked against the emergence of Maigari who had the backing of the Federal Government. For this, we shall also ensure that his son’s Copa Lagos beach soccer event will not receive our blessing again.”

Alhaji Aminu Maigari is fuming over the role allegedly played by Dr Amos Adamu.

He caused a thorough digest and analysis of the events that took place before, during and after the 35th CAF Ordinary Congress. Maigari’s fight back strategy is first sacrificing the Copa Lagos beach soccer championships.

The politricks: Unlike the unfortunate defeat of Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima in Khartoum, Sudan two years ago, Maigari’s own last Sunday came in a devastating fashion. In 2011, Galadima was a late entrant into the race after the former occupant of the seat, Dr Amos Adamu lost in his appeal of a three-year ban from football for allegedly seeking bribes during the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding contests by Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).

Maigari, we were told, hit the road for campaigns as early as last year. If Galadima lacked enough support from the Nigerian government two years ago, the same cannot be said of Maigari.

Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi led the Federal Government delegation to Yaounde, Cameroon to pay homage to Issa Hayatou and to seek his support for the Nigerian candidate for the CAF executive seat.

How true it was that Hayatou pretended to be very busy and never met the Nigerian minister remains to be verified but by the Minister’s utterance, he met with Hayatou.

Adamu betrayal: “In Marakech, we had concrete evidence that our efforts were frustrated by Dr Amos Adamu, said a deep involved source in the NFF.

The source added that, Maigari sought for and got the support of Dr Amos Adamu few weeks to the election and got “a positive response.”

The source alleged that: “One of the delegates from East Africa was supposed to be reached by Dr. Adamu on Maigari’s behalf. Adamu received $10,000 on his behalf and assured that he had flown him to Lagos and “sorted out” things. This is seemingly not provable nor receiptable.

The East African delegate was said to have been embarrassed when Maigari approached him in Morocco, frantically apologising for not being able to meet him personally during his visit to Lagos. The delegate was so shocked that he tendered his international passport to confirm that he was not in Nigeria in the weeks leading to the CAF election.

Back in the country, Alhaji Maigari is said to have sworn to take his pound of flesh off Adamu, first by retrieving his $10, 000 from the former FIFA top executive and secondly, to stop his son’s beach project from receiving the FA’s backing.

“He worked against the candidacy of Maigari, behind the scene. On approaching delegates for their votes, we were told that they had counter instructions from Nigeria to the effect that the

Beninois candidate, Anjorin Moucharaf should be supported.

Why Adamu may have worked aganst Maigari: “If Maigari had won, he would have been in CAF Executive Committee for four years (2013-2017), meaning when Dr Adamu’s ban is lifted in November, chances of his returning to the body would have been slim.

Adamu will be eligible to contest for a CAF election in two years (2015). President Issa Hayatou has been elected unanimously to an extended sixth tenure since his first election on the 10^th March, 1988. Issa Hayatou was the only candidate for the President of the Executive Committee at the last election.

 Grand fight in the offing: Readers will recall we had reported that Maigari is set for bigger internal cleansening of the FA. We have been guaranteed that a list of six of Dr. Amos Adamu’s key men working in the Nigeria Football Federation would receive the hammer of sack very soon.

Signal to this effect came from an usual corner when former Gombe state FA chairman, Alhaji Gara-Gombe on Monday in a television programme accused Nigeria born suspended FIFA and CAF executive member, Dr Amos Adamu of plotting the failure of NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari in the recently concluded CAF executive elections in Morocco.

Gara while speaking on African Independent Television (AIT) morning programme ‘Kakaaki’, said the former Director General of the Nigeria Sports Commission should be blamed for the rejection of Maigari in the CAF elections held in Morocco on Sunday.

According to him, the Federal

Government should institute a probe panel to investigate the level of the involvement of the former Director General on the failed attempt by Maigari in the CAF executive elections.

Gombe who recalled the role he played at the elections of the suspended CAF and FIFA executive member in Cairo, Egypt, said it is unfortunate that individual interest is allowed to override National interest, saying the cabals in CAF will not allow credible person to be part of the executive.

Gombe is a paid agent: In a swift reaction, Mr John Atale, an aide of the suspended FIFA and CAF executive member while describing Gara-Gombe as a paid agent said it is unfortunate that Dr Adamu is being accused wrongly.

According to Atale, the failure of Nigeria’s candidate in the elections should not be used by hangers on to feed.

To him, the claim by Gombe on the role of Dr Adamu is baseless as it is not the first time elections into the CAF executive is conducted and people losing out in such elections.

Atale, who alleged that the former Gombe Football Association boss is only working for his master who gave him a contractor job during the just concluded Nation’s Cup in South Africa, should not be taken seriously in matters like this, as it is his stock in trade.

“We know Gara too well, he was one of the NFF contractors in South Africa during the Nations Cup, he is only looking for his food to eat but is unfortunate that he is dragging Dr Adamu’s name into it, a man who has been out of the Sports circle all these while, it is surprising that Gombe is paid to lie,” Atale narrated.

Going down memory lane, Atale said “that elections in the past have seen the eventual winner losing in Sudan, just as Danny Jordaan of South Africa lost in his bid too, without any head rolling or claims of sabotage.

“Mousharaf Anjorin lost in Sudan and you can see too that Jordaan lost just as our man Maigari lost too, so for Gara-Gombe to wake up and start dancing to his own drums beat tells much of his trademark, we are not joining issues with him but we are only concerned because he is just telling blatant lies to suit his paymaster,” Atale noted.

NFF ban of journalists: Impotent SWAN, Proud NUJ

NFF arrogant after being begged

During the week, the NFF in its characteristic and mischievous manner slammed a ban on two sports journalists, Messrs Ezeocha Nze of The Guardian Newspapers and Romanus Ugwu who writes for all-sport daily publication, Soccerstar, (a publication on the stable of TheSun) from its programmes, activities and events, until further notice. It was amusing to laugh at an organisation banning someone who is not your member! Idiocy in simplicita.

NUJ made me proud to be a journalist: Since the immediate constituency of the reporters, FCT SWAN went to bed, having been in romance with the NFF, they lost the ball to act to protect their members. The Abuja Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Comrade Chuks Ehirim reacted by giving the NFF a 24-hour ultimatum to rescind its decision or face the full wrath of the union.

Then, the national leadership of SWAN as if they were reluctantly pushed gave the NFF one week to rescind the decision though in a harsh statement.

Whilst, I gathered that the local SWAN went begging their benefactors to “forgive their colleagues because of them.” (I hope this is not too true). No wonder the arrogant statement signed by the NFF Secretary General, Musa Amodu.

Following a meeting with the leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria and its FCT chapter in Abuja on Thursday morning, the NFF said it had decided to overlook the attitude of the two reporters for the sake of its cordial relationship with and respect for the professional standing of the overwhelming majority of members of the chapter in particular and the Nigeria sporting media in general.

“The NFF President has opted to overlook the hate campaign of the two persons in question and rather focus on the onerous task of moving Nigeria football to higher heights,” the NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, said.

It was obvious that the Glass House saw that their game was up. Two, they never expected to get this quality of negative backlash. They had thought that since it was ‘their boys’ that are in the FCT Executive and in the national body, they won’t talk.

The NFF board rescinded their animalistic decision out of frustration, especially when they saw that they were heading for a total war, capable of consuming them in the long run. Thanks to the able and capable NUJ. For this act, I shall resume paying my dues now that I know I have a union that will protect me in trouble unlike the docile leadership we had in the last Council of the NUJ.

Unpopular NFF running a fresh unpopular war: If the NFF goons were smart, arising from the way and manner they had lost face in the Super Eagles AFCON victory in South Africa, how Stephen Keshi took the shine off them, how the Federal Government overlooked them (not a single mention of the NFF at the Presidential hosting of the team) and how corporate Nigeria had not reckoned with them in the celebration of the victory. It is enough disgrace.

I think while doing the psycho-analysis of the NFF conduct, it was the heap of frustrations that made them acted so irrationally against the two reporters who joined www.gongnews.net to report what they thought were secrets of the almost impeachment of the President, Aminu Maigari.

The death of investigative reportage: It is clear from the incidents leading to the ban that most of the reporters in Abuja only report what the NFF and top goons in sports want. A press release regime. The few who do investigative reporting got the story that got the two reporters the ban of the NFF. Ironically, the reporters had kept an all night vigil to get the reports which they published.

What vexed the NFF goons is not whether what the reporters reported were lies but that what they thought they had sealed as a ‘family affair’ leaked (ala wikileak or is it vaticanleak) and got to the public domain.

Thought I saw wrongly: Osaretin Emuze, respected voice and veteran sport writer had this to say: “Can you imagine common NFF Secretary barring two sports writers from its activities. Wonders shall never end. Who is he in the catalogue of men? So he wants every writer to follow them sheepishly, as some are doing right now. What a shame. SWAN EXCO, You have been rubbished.

Lesbianism, Women football, club and rights of the player

Onyedinma...floats in a new controversy

Chairman of the Nigeria Women Football League, Dilichukwu Onyedinma, has raised a new controversy saying that the league will not tolerate lesbianism among women footballers. Candidly speaking, what is the problem of the club or the league with the private life of an athlete who decides to be a lesbian?

Ms. Onyedinma was cited to have broached the new controversy during the league’s congress that held on Thursday in Abuja.

“It (lesbianism) is happening but we have to talk to the clubs, and look inside the clubs and these things have to do with clubs. There are particular clubs that don’t even want to hear about it and once they heard it the players involved will be sacked,” the football league boss said.

Uhm! I wish I know a lesbian who is so sacked for just being a lesbian. This is an infringement of the rights of the player who should ordinarily be 18 years and above. Lesbianism is the private decision of an individual. It has nothing to do with the ability to play football or do any sport.

The values of one person cannot and should not be forced on another person. Citing the bible in this instance is making a mockery of God.

The report added that Ms Onyedinma said, “any player found to be involved in lesbianism will be disqualified from participating in the league. Any player that we heard is associated with it will be disqualified,” she added.

This certainly is beyond the precincts of the League. This was the kind of stance that the Super Falcons coach, Uche Eucharia took in the last Women World cup leading FIFA to ask her to apologise. Are we learning at all?

Talking about other punishments that would be meted out to any player found to be involved in lesbianism, Dilichukwu said, “We will call the club chairmen to control their players, such players will not be able to play for the national team.”

I sincerely wish I can find a lesbian who will be so discriminated and wait to see the legal backlash. I think the officials of the NWFL need to go and learn some basic fundamentals about respecting rights of players in the management of the game.

If this matter is taken up with FIFA, can the position of the League stand? Certainly, NO. what if two women players in the League decide to marry, will they be denied the rights to play football because they will practise lesbianism?

Methinks, candidly speaking, despite that as an individual, I DO NOT SUPPORT same sex relationship but for those who derive joy from it, it is their choice and their rights to choose should be respected. No short cut.

Who should be asking for apology? NSC or Pilot newspaper?

Chief Ekeji, NSC DG...how early are you entering court?

NEWS ANALYSIS:

Let him who has not sinned cast the first stone. Is the NSC claiming that the report by Pilot newspaper not wholly true or that there were no iota if truth therein?

One thing is, the NSC legal department’s budget for going to court would have been tremenduously increased. There are going to be about 1,000 legal suits before the end of the year certainly.

Is the NSC going to be suing for libel and defamation of character? When did the NSC ceased being a government agency? When has the NSC started to pretend to be above board in matter of financial probity?

Why did the same NSC not respond to the allegation of N650m double budgeting in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN)? Is the NSC denying she is not aware that the salaries of the Secretary General of the AFN is paid for by the IAAF? Yet, the Nigerian government is paying same? So who is taking one half and denying the Nigerian government and tax payer the other half.

Of all IAAF-organised championships, where monies are so paid for by the IAAF and yet, the same monies are taken from the Nigerian government, where is the half of these monies disappearing to?

Days after the illegal Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) banned two journalists from covering her activities, the NSC too has taken the cue to be anti-media, struggling so hard to muscle the media from exposing the truth, with threats of legal suits?

Please ask, which NSC are we talking about here? The one that is non-juristic in the eye of the Nigerian law? As there is no law establishing the NSC anywhere. Okay, if it is the Ministry of sports and not the NSC, can we then ask, are they asking why Dr. Amos Adamu lost his suit against TheGuardian and OLukayode Thomas?

Okay, let us assume they own and have the rights to sue, what efforts have they always made to be transparent and avoid rumours flying left, right and centre? This is an institution if you have stories to confirm, they will start running helter-skelter not willing to provide you information and as a journalist, you have a duty to inform the public.

Now, the information the NSC gave out in their press release is at variance with the information released by Hon Godfrey Gaiya, chairman, House of Representatives committee on Sports on Nigeria Television Authority’s Tuesday Night Life about how much was released and how it was so spent.

Is the NSC or the Ministry of Sports confirming that the letter of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) dated 2^nd June 2011 ordering that no money appropriated by the National Assembly be given to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) because the latter is unknown to Nigerian law a farce?

Methinks, it is Pilot Newspaper that should be suing the NSC or and the Ministry of Sports for deliberately mismanaging the entire sum that was given to the NFF in contravention of the orders of the AGF, the nation’s chief law officer. It is Pilot newspaper that should be asking the NSC and the officer who released the money to recoup the money and pay back into public till for giving money to an agency that two courts of the land had ruled in judgments, which are now part of our law, against all the provisions of the civil service and financial management.

I siddon dey look o!