A Victory, Rewards and other salient Issues.

On the 10th February, 2013, the national men’s football team of Nigeria; the Super Eagles emerged victorious at the 29th edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), for the third time. This hard-won victory came after nineteen years since the country last assumed the pole position at the biggest sporting event in Africa, after a series of misses and exits. Expectedly the feat elicited great joy from a grateful nation, happy to once again savor the status and bragging rights associated with such triumphs .As a consequence, rewards, both financial and otherwise have come the way of team members and officials in no small measure, from the public and private sectors. At the last count, hundreds of millions of naira, property as well as national awards have been given to our recent heroes. On the surface, it will seem appropriate and under the present circumstances it is, to reward individuals who help in laundering the image of Nigeria in a positive fashion. However, it is pertinent to note that while the government and sports administrators will beat their chest and bask in the light of this achievement, all is not well with sports administration and indeed with most other sectors of our national life. But for now, we will focus on sports. We will start with the AFCON 2013 triumph. Prior to the commencement of the tournament, the Super Eagles departed unsung and after posting a shaky start in the competition proper, it was rumored that dissatisfied officials of the Nigerian Football Federation(NFF) had begun the search for a possible replacement for the chief coach of the side, Stephen Keshi. So much so that after the convincing victory over the Elephants of Ivory Coast at the quarter final stage of the competition ,with momentum and belief swinging in favour of the Super Eagles, Coach Stephen Keshi publicly berated the NFF for their lack of support and encouragement at the finals, at a post match interview. At present, the Nigerian Premier Football league, that should naturally be a reservoir of new talents for the national teams, is yet to commence for the 2012/2013 season, after a series of botched take-off dates. This is in addition to the fact that local club sides do not have necessary infrastructure, owe salaries and allowances and lack professional structures comparable to standards available outside our shores. At the last London 2012 Olympic Games, Nigeria posted her worst outing at the event by failing to win any medals. This did not come as a surprise, as the athletes were mobilized for training and camping with just a few months to the commencement of the Games. As usual, the reasons adduced for our abysmal performance at the Games boiled down to a late release of funds from the government. Though our physically challenged athletes brought honour to the nation with their spectacular showing, winning medals at the Para Olympic event preceding the London games, their feat was attributable to individual talent and the determination to succeed; and not due to a cohesive and comprehensive series of preparations instituted for them. As you read this article, it is instructive to note that there no plans on ground to train, condition and expose our athletes to the technical and tactical demands of their various sports for future games. Whereas China and the USA; countries that amassed the largest haul of medals at The London 2012 games, opened their Olympic training camps for their athletes for the next edition, one month after the curtains fell at London. For a competition four years away, in Rio De jenario 2016! For one thing, the government must stop playing the old tune of scarcity of funds, as a reason for the shambolic way sports is administered in this country. Since the present mantra are calls for more Public Private Partnership (PPP) collaboration in most sectors of the national economy , it behooves our leaders to realize that business are still entities that will only invest in areas that guarantee a handsome return on investment. Sports inclusive! Therefore, government must first administer sports efficiently, effectively and professionally by providing sporting infrastructure, placing a premium on the welfare of athletes and generally creating a conducive atmosphere for sports and other related matters to not only thrive but flourish. After all, any accolades achieved by our athletes at sports competitions, is first and foremost a victory for Nigeria as a whole. Then, like a scented flower that attracts insects to its precious nectar, what will be witnessed will be a flurry of corporations, multinationals and firms falling over one another, desiring to be a part of a culture and mindset of success in our sports. Indeed, the victory of our dear Super Eagles provides ample opportunity and a clean slate for our leaders and administrators to correct the shortcomings of the past and chart a new course for our sports and indeed all other areas of national life.

THE KILLING OF NIGERIAN HEALTH WORKERS AND THE LARGER RAMIFICATIONS

On February 8th 2013, seven health workers carrying out routine polio immunization exercises in Kano State, Nigeria were murdered by unknown gunmen. Another two were killed in Borno State within the same period, whilst performing the same task. This is coming on the heels of the deaths of a number of health workers in far away Pakistan as well. This has attracted national and international angst and condemnation. Even before this worrisome turn of events, there have verified accounts of harassment of health workers carrying out this national duty and in some cases, many had been refused access to children in the target age bracket, in Northern Nigeria. The reasons adduced for this stance range from fears that the polio vaccines and other medicines engender sexual infertility to beliefs that the Western world and its ways should be resisted by a predominantly Muslim north. However, a deep scrutiny of these unfortunate events will reveal interplay of factors and forces that do not portend well for the future fortunes of Nigeria and the world at large. For one, while the polio scourge has been eradicated in most parts of the world, a recent release by the World Health organization (WHO) has listed Nigeria, Pakistan and a number of other nations as places where the resurgence of the affliction is gaining ground once again. Especially in the Northern Nigeria, where hundreds of children are rendered incapacitated and hence become a burden on economic resources and assume a stigmatized existence. As a result of this recent classification, certain countries now require Nigerians to present relevant proofs of health vaccinations as a prerequisite before entry visas are granted. This writer is of the opinion that the buck stops with our leaders, at the local, state and federal levels. Those documented past incidents should have galvanized relevant authorities in taking proactive action before any immunization projects are embarked upon. Measures that readily come to mind include an aggressive enlightenment campaign at the grass roots level, to highlight the importance of these medications for the survival of our children. As well as the provision of adequate security to escort health workers on their rounds. In addition the latest attacks seem to be the brain child of a masked group of highly placed individuals, who thrive in an atmosphere of turmoil and insecurity, for their selfish gain, individuals that must be exposed and brought to justice. The fight to rid the nation of killer childhood diseases cannot be treated with sleight of hand and all must be done to ensure that the future and health of our children are not stunted at such an early stage of their lives. It is therefore absurd that these diseases are being aided by unfounded beliefs and terror attacks! While we commiserate with that the families and friends of the victims who are national martyrs, we implore the relevant security agencies to leave no stone unturned, in finding and bringing the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, to book.

2014 Could be AFRICA'S YEAR!

The excitement and thrills of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations finally wound to a close on 10th February 2013, with the Super Eagles of Nigeria emerging champions. This came on the heels of an intense duel with the Stallions of Burkina Faso, who did not go down without a stern fight. It is pertinent to note that both sides received low pre-tournament ratings and even posted shaky starts to their respective campaigns! Although some games were marred by dubious officiating, which is a global problem of most sporting competitions, it was heartwarming to watch African sides as the ones aforementioned begin to show advanced levels of technique and tactics, armed with a plethora of young budding talent, that showed a hunger to succeed. And this brings this discuss to the issue of the World Cup to be staged in Brasil in 2014. The tale of African sides at the biggest sporting competition in the world, started on an insignificant note from the 1970s before reaching staggering heights in recent times with sides like Cameroun, Nigeria, Senegal and Ghana reaching the knock-out stages of the competition, the latter almost securing a semi-final berth at the event in South Africa 2010! I believe the time has come for Africa to lay claim to her first World cup success, in 2014.However a lot will depend on how member football associations in The Confederation of African Football( CAF) are able to marshal time and resources effectively and efficiently , whilst doing away with the administrative pitfalls of the past. Proper planning and judicious use of men and materials have always been the difference between the successes recorded by European and South- American teams; who place national interest above every other pecuniary ambition and African sides. An instance at this point will suffice. The Nigeria Football federation (NFF) is known to award huge sums as winning bonuses to members of their respective national teams. While one cannot fault the use of money as a motivational tool, it must be noted that patriotism and national pride should be the main driving force for individuals privileged to wear the colours of their national teams. Appropriate rewards should be decided at the end of a successful sporting campaign, whilst it is expected that welfare of athletes, players and officials are accorded the utmost priority before, during and even after such competitions come to a close! In addition such monies could have a greater effect if channeled towards the growth of the game at the grass root level, in order to ensure a steady nurturing of talent. The next year and a half will prove critical, if Africa is to achieve this objective. As the qualifiers for the next World Cup begin in earnest, member associations must seize the opportunity of playing several games, to fully integrate experienced and new talents, whilst deploying resources in staging strategic friendly games against quality opposition, in order to instill the mindset and conditioning needed to excel at the topmost level. Already, the newly crowned champions of Africa have their work cut out for them! This victory means that the Nigerian side will compete at the Confederations’ Cup, another football tournament where champions from each of the continents, gather to compete for honours. Interestingly, the competition will be hosted by Brasil, in June 2013.This opportunity affords the Super Eagles the chance to prove their mettle against successful footballing nations such as Spain (back-to-back winners of the European Cup, 2008 and 2012, and current World Cup holders, 2010), Uruguay (South American Champions), the host Brasil (five-time World Cup winners) and a number of other quality sides. While it is disputable that a god of soccer exists, who grants victory to teams at competitions, what stands true is that success in sports and indeed at any endeavor is a culmination of targeted, consistent and selfless steps embarked upon to achieve desired goals. The time for Africa to act is now!

I AM BACK!

I just want to say i am truly sorry for being away for soooooo long! it was due to certain factors beyond my control. But yours truly promises to make it a point of duty to make fairly regular postings. Have a great year ahead!