Only this beautiful game called football has helped Nigerians stay afloat. Just yesterday, Sunday, June 11, inside the main bowl of the supposedly new look, roundly vandalized Mobolaji Johnson Arena Onikan. The week long Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) curtain was drawn for 2022/23 football season via play-offs by six top teams in the abridge form the season was programmed.  To be honest with you, it turned to be a well packaged tournament that drew at least capacity crowd which signified that NPFL is gradually coming back to reckoning.

While the six teams Enyimba, Rivers United, Remo Stars, Lobi Stars, Sunshine and Bendel Insurance were on the stage, note that the teams gave good account of themselves. It is instructive here to take away that this particular kind of competition is where you really separate the boys from the men.

In match day 4 the signs were manifesting and at the match day 5 the chaff were being shifted from the grains. The table took shape pointing at dicey ties especially the last that involved defending former champions, Rivers United and the hard nuts, Enyimba International FC. It proved same as fans and other were on their edge of new era in Nigeria Premier League. One prays it holds water as the new horizon and direction look brighter. However in as much as it is said that Rome was not built in a day, throughout the epic showdown that produced two goals in each half, the two teams represented what is now emerging as the new beginning in the local premiership football which will fall in place as we get on.

While one will not outrightly write off the referees as human, the fact is that there are still much to be done in that area as it is a vital part and parcel of the game if the NPL will grow with fans and other critical stakeholders. Head or tail, it was so sweet to watch these boys display their artistry of the round leather sport.

It is kudos to all the teams and GTI that is bent on pioneering this revolution. For teams that qualified to bear our flag in African clubs championships, the time for adequate and solid recruitment and preparations are now.

Nigeria Sports As We Celebrate June 12.

Today, Monday, June 12, would mark yet another anniversary, 30 years, for the famous landmark date in the political evolution of Nigeria. It would not be out of place to say that another historical ritual has been added in the already distorted remembrance dates in the country.

In short, this is a significant date henceforth. Though some set of people have already claimed that they are the architect for this date to become one of the national dates. That claim is so insignificant so far as the above is concerned because the late M.K.O Abiola even though dead, lives in every Nigerian adult who was alive 1993.

M.K.O Abiola, a very generous man paid the supreme price and nobody shared the death with him rather the present name droppers are as usual all over the place today making bogus false speeches and counter speeches which Nigerian politicians are known for.

What actual value has June 12 brought to the table for ordinary Nigerians rather than the fact that these dubious politicians you are hearing their voices loudest today are exploiting the supposedly gains to their own benefits, their families and friends nothing else. All these noises to the roof top are just for what they have to ripe off this date via M.K.O Abiola’s sacrifice.

Any true Nigerian politician celebrating June 12 supposed to fight for hitch free election from the polling units to the announcement of the results, instead what we are still seeing as at the last election was one which all manners of election malpractices and manipulations were displayed and the people were told to “go to court”, an action which could lead to destabilization of the democratic process.

This columnist joins true Nigerians to celebrate late President M.K.O Abiola GCFR.

In today’s Nigeria we cannot plan any longer. You can only plan half hour, not for one year… As things stand now, sadly events are controlling you; you can never control events. Here in Nigeria, you have your personal problem, company problem and Nigeria problem all lumped together on you.

Nigerians as it is today are under intensive pressure. The present situation in Nigeria is so suffocating that no fresh air rather what populated the air is fouled air. The Present Bola Tinubu regime has fueled the already tension soaked environment.  

The atmosphere in the country is still hazy despite these panicky efforts by the President to ‘unify’ the country. Analysts have attributed these recent meetings and visits to the seat of power in Abuja by traditional rulers and sundry as mere contract seeking shows that will not result to anything concrete that would benefit ordinary Nigerians.

According to one of those who recently visited Aso Rock Villa to confer with the President, nothing was said than the usual talk of ensuring that our subjects understood the need for peaceful environment while these obvious and open injustices goe on. Nigeria can only know peace if these wrongs were righted. The injustices and this practice of divide and rule which excluded a particular section of the country since that lame duck Buhari APC repressive and very corrupt regime must be stopped.

The whole world keenly awaits and also looks up to the Judiciary to restore sanity, equity and stamp out electoral fraud in the country via landmark judgment, because this present system could not stand the test of time. The open manipulation of electoral system despite the huge investment of ICT and training and retraining of staff calls for not only concern but remains great source of worry.

Many knew that Buhari’s reassurances of credible election were on the lips. He deceived himself and brought his name into the mud.  Just few weeks after, see the monumental fraud called Nigerian Air and the level of corruption by his in-law and former Aviation Minister. Buhari’s gate in all spheres would forever leave soured taste in the mouth.

What still bestows the landscape of the country is fear, insecurity, injustice and fraud which has been officially instituted in the country.  Take a look at the goings-on in Presidential electoral Court.   In all these fractured Nigeria you and l have seen INEC using public funds to defend its actions and inactions in Court not minding the huge glaring log in its eye as it grapple with acts of indiscretion among its staff, casting huge doubts  over the commission’s ability to stay over board as electoral umpire. You and I have been watching the drama. Many have said the judiciary does not have the carriage to deliver justice in electoral cases in the country especially Presidential. Nigeria is currently under the boot. The recent law that brought year of retirement of Judges to the same level sends shivers down the spine of most Nigerians especially this period elections cases are in various Courts across the country.

While Nigerians witnessed nepotism and other dangers in Buhari’s government, the present dispensation headed by the master would witness all of that and more through subtle means. This is already government of ‘settlement’, the signs are there.

Nigeria’s multi-faceted problems are legion while it is not advisable to sit in the fence while the country continue this drifting, few that have not been bought over must never relent in keeping the terrain and the present rulers in check. Keep shooting hard till next week. Meanwhile we wait!!