By Daily Sports on April 1, 2019

I don’t like blowing hot air and in that same light, I consider anybody with such attitudinal trait a noisemaker of the first order. Consequently, my anger boils to the high heavens as my heart also drops, and my appetite lost after my stomach has gone through turns. For me, Nigeria has totally lost its bearing, fueled by the action of a certain cabal that has remained traitors in every sphere of the country. However, all hope is not lost as history is constantly throwing up trailblazers even in the midst of our travail.  For instance, the second Republic politicians left more structures on the ground, far above the Military government that dominated the greater part of Nigerian life span.

I decided to give this brief recap in order to drive my point home in this week’s write up on the man of the moment, His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. For the records, his middle name is Mr Projects, earned because of his practical commitment to citizen’s welfare by turning all the nooks and crannies of the State into construction sites and also completing same even as new ones spring up.

His footprints on the sands of time are eloquent testimonials of a servant leader. Here we don’t sing praises of people. It is an in-house policy and so if anybody is adored here, such persons must have weighty track records of performance and not just mere paper tigers promoted by some of our colleagues who have aided and abetted such nonsense by throwing in their lot with colourless politicians.

I have known and met Governor Wike way back when he was the Chairman of Obiakpo Local Government and another in Abuja when he was Minister of State for Education. If you have been following or have followed his antecedents, you must have come to terms that Governor Wike has without any prejudice been constant in terms of progression and strictly touching the lives of his subjects in all its ramifications.

Despite distractions from Chibuike Amaechi and his APC led FG against the Governor and the people of Rivers State, the never say die chief executive of the oil-rich State has left nobody in doubt, to the dismay of the enemies of the state and his government that he has been delivering on promise and like a stallion galloping safely to the admiration of the majority of Rivers State people.

One is glad that he has failed to be slowed down by the evil machinations of power-drunk Chibuike Amaechi whose lot has been to bite fingers that fed him. Amaechi obviously has again kissed the dust on his illegal quest to hijack the governance of Rivers State. He has tried every trick with some INEC officials as well as security agents to wrestle power by hook or crook but failed in all attempts.

The cheering news is that Governor Wike has been unperturbed since he knows he has the mandate of his people. If you like, he is from his people and he is of his people; no shaking!

Let me be honest with you, Chibuike  Amaechi has made himself a nuisance to man especially his supposedly Rivers State people by killing them at will on his bid to forcefully ride to power even with their blood flowing all over the land.  For instance, he has refused bluntly to be distracted from heavily showing his Mr Projects status and presence in all spheres. Last week he said without mincing words that the Real Madrid Football Academy he interestingly brought to Port Harcourt would be ready in May. He has like his true self restated the determination of his government to ensure the state of the art facilities being fitted to assist our numerous youths who want to take to the round leather game with education combined would come fully on stream in May. As I did mention at the beginning of this article that the Governor is never one to blow hot air, his projects are verifiable. The youths would be given the nod to have one-stop Academy to be managed by one of the best structured, grounded and respected football club in the World which is no mean feat.

All men and women of goodwill whether they are the ardent lovers of football or not would but applaud the foresight of Governor Nyesom Wike on this landmark project tailored towards ensuring that the talented youths horn their God-given gifts there for improvement which would better their lives and the larger society. We are at Daily Sports not only identified with this laudable programme earlier but also gave him kudos for people-oriented projects in the state.

When the academy finally comes on, it will add more to the hefty collection of achievements the Governor has recorded since he came into the governance of the State. This page has not wasted time to call a spade by its name when it’s found or seen. Governor Wike has done well for his people. Little wonder they have stuck to him. As Nigerians and indeed the world, await the commissioning of this world-class facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in May, it is forward with Governor Wike and his dripping mega achievements in all facets.

If you missed the earlier story last week this is a recap, enjoy!!

Real Madrid Football Academy in Port Harcourt to be Ready in May

Real Madrid Madrid Football Academy in Port Harcourt will be completed and commissioned in May 2019, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has announced. Speaking with journalists after projects inspection on Tuesday, Governor Wike said that the Academy would groom International football stars.

The Governor said that the project will create talented soccer players and manpower that will positively impact the economy of the state. He said: “This project will be completed and commissioned before the end of May this year. As you can see, the facilities are almost set. “This facility will create International soccer stars and develop the economy of the state”. Governor Wike said contrary to propaganda by the opposition, the Real Madrid Football has been developed since it was initiated.

“Already 12 coaches are in training in Madrid to work at the Academy. This academy will help the state”. He noted that so many soccer enthusiasts have applied for admission into the Academy.

Governor Wike also inspected the cinemas at the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park. The facility will be completed before May ends. “This cinema will develop tourism across the region. We will build a five-star hotel in Pleasure Park,” he said.

Eagles, Pharaohs and Onwuachu’s Historic Goal

Super Eagles played an international friendly against arch-rivals, the Pharaohs of Egypt in Asaba last week and against tradition, defeated the visitors 1-0 to set the tone for greater performance as the forthcoming 2019 AFCON loads.

There have been arguments and counter-arguments among analysts and game’s pundits since after the grade A friendly encounter that did not disappoint the fans in terms of quality display or exchange by both sides. One would like or ordinarily wish the Eagles all the best as the team continues with her preparations for the top Africa Nations football summit. Super Eagles must as a matter of common sense which though is not common be told in clearer terms that the defeat against Egypt must be played down and greater focus is given to the entire preparations that would lift Nigerian football at that level forward.

The scorer of the lone goal, Paul Onuachu, would remain a recurring decimal as the buildup hots up. One must submit here that Onuachu’s goal was classical and master of a goal. He was precise and thorough showing what he has in stock as the 2019 AFCON or the summit slated for Egypt in June beckons.

I reproduce below the NAN report on the pulsating encounter:

Paul Onuachu Scores One of the Fastest Goals in the World as Super Eagles Pip Egypt in Asaba

Paul Onuachu scored one of the fastest goals in world football, as Nigeria beats Egypt 1-0 in an international friendly played on Tuesday in Asaba. The Denmark-based striker scored in the opening five seconds of the first half when he fired a thunderous shot past Egyptian goalkeeper, Abdelrehim Mahmoud from outside the 18-yard box.

It was one of the fastest goals that will go into football history. According to Total Sportek, Damian Mori, an A-League striker scored a goal in 3.69 seconds for his Adelaide City club against Sydney United in 1995. Ex-Arsenal and Germany International, Lukas Podolski has a record of scoring another fast goal, when he scored in 6 seconds in an international friendly between Germany and Ecuador in 2013. FIFA recognises this as the fastest goal in international football.

Onuachu will now take over the mantle from Podolski. The early goal however spurred the Egyptians as they took control of the midfield, putting the Nigerian defence line, led by William Trost-Ekong under pressure. Ekong, who arguably was one of the outstanding performers in the Nigerian team, however, sustained a head injury and had his head bandaged.

Upon the resumption of the second half, Nigerian coach replaced goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi with Ikechukwu Ezenwa. The Egyptians mounted sustained attacks on the Nigerian defence but were kept at bay by the duo of Ekong and Leon Balogun. Nigerian coach, Gernot Rohr made two changes, as John Ogu made way for Semiu Ajayi, while Etebo Oghenekaro came in place of Alex Iwobi. In the 88th minute of play, Rohr pulled out goalscorer, Onuachu, who looked tired and brought in Odion Ighalo.

Nigerian goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa made two brilliant saves in the added time of the game to deny the Egyptian dangerman, Abdelmegid Islam. In a post-match media conference, Egyptian coach, Javier Aguirre applauded the performance of his team even in defeat.

“We played good football today, and I must commend my players though we lost to Nigeria. “We will take the positives from this friendly back home, as we continue to prepare our team for the AFCON. He said the absence of Mohammed Salah, Africa’s footballer of the year, was not felt by the team, as there were other great young players.

On his part, Nigerian coach, Gernot Rohr said the game was a great match for both teams, as they continue their preparations for the AFCON. “To me, today’s game is not just a good match, but a great one for both teams. Both teams played good football,” Rohr said.

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 1, 2019

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