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By Tony Ajero
We ended the last edition of this World Cup special with one soccer administrator’s impassioned chronicle of misdeeds against NFF President Amaju Pinnick. Since then, much water has passed under the bridge – water don pass garri. Our usual soap opera unhinged very speedily: and we continue to make ourselves the world’s laughing stock. While less-endowed nations are progressing at the World Cup (which may produce a new winner outside the traditional six baba nations who have ever won the world cup) we are enmeshed in our national cesspools of corruption-laden primitive politics.
Out there in Russia, the excitement and income generation continue. Yesterday we saw France (Les Bleus) beat Uruguay (La Celeste) two zero. France’s goals came through Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann, though Uruguay’s goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, unwittingly lent a helping hand with his blunder for the second goal in the 60th minute. For me, the game of the night was Belgium knocking out serial Champions Brazil two one. Fernandinho’s own goal and Kevin De Bruyne’s goal off a Romelu Lukaku assist in a counter attack sent the Le Selecao home. Though Courtois was beaten once, his save in stoppage time would be rightly at the top for the “Save of the Tournament.”
As ‘Double Doctor’ Larry Izamojie, owner of Brila radio – Nigeria’s flagship sports broadcast station said after the match – one positive to take way is that our players must learn to die on the pitch, and live afterwards. The Belgians gave it their all, and are now writ large in history books. This generation of players: Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Adnan Januzaj, Marouane Fallaini, Vincent Kompany, Michy Batshuayi, Thibaut Courtois, and Christian Benteke et al will never be forgotten. They have carved a niche for themselves.
Back home, our administrators are also carving their niche in our national history. As if waiting for the World Cup exit cue, Sports Minister Solomon Dalung promptly threw the books at Pinnick; thus enabling Mr. Giwa ride majestically into the coveted NFF Glass House, Abuja Presidency with aplomb; Nigerian politics being not for the faint-hearted, Pinnick responded quickly and dexterously, Waffi style. The timeline as captured by TheNewsguru.com is canny but not funny.
July 2, 2018: Nigeria Faces Fresh FIFA Ban As Dalung Sacks Amaju’s NFF
A fresh ban by the world football governing body, FIFA, may be hanging on Nigeria as the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung on Monday ordered the incumbent Amaju Pinnick-led NFF executive committee to give way to that led by Chris Giwa in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling.
Dalung said in a statement that the directive followed a written notification signed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice requesting the Ministry to ensure compliance. Consequently, Daluncg has directed the parties involved to comply with the court order. “This is a court order and not from Dalung. I will not want to go to Kuje prison because of disobedience of court orders. Therefore, I hereby comply with the court orders of June 5th 2018, while Mr Amaaju Pinnick and others are also directed to comply with same,” said the minister.
However, facts exclusively obtained by TheNewsGuru.com revealed that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) was yet to make such pronouncement.
July 2, 2018: Chris Giwa Takes Over Office As NFF Chairman
Following the order of Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Chris Giwa has assumed duty as President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). Minister Solomon Dalung had earlier today ordered the (Amaju-Pinnick-led) Nigeria Football Federation to vacate their office in respect to a ruling by the apex court in Nigeria, the Supreme Court.
July 3, 2018: Pinnick, FIFA President Infantino, meet in Russia over crisis in Nigerian Football …as FIFA names Pinnick Match Commissioner Sequel to the sack of the Amaju Pinnick led executive of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) by the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Barr. Solomon Dalung on Monday, the President of the world football governing body (FIFA) Gianni Infantino on Tuesday met with Pinnick in Russia over the crisis. The FIFA boss met with Pinnick before the commencement of the ongoing round 16 match between Sweden and Switzerland. A copy of the match start list sent exclusively to TheNewsguru.com also showed that the embattled NFF boss was the match commissioner.
July 5, 2018: CAF Appoints Pinnick First Vice President The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has appointed the former Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Chairman, Amaju Pinnick to the post of CAF’s 1st Vice-President following the resignation of Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi. CAF President Ahmad Ahmad, after consulting the members of the Emergency Committee, appointed Mr. Pinnick as 1st Vice President.
July 6, 2018: EFCC Probes Amaju Pinnick, Shehu Dikko, Others
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is to investigate and take necessary action against Mr. Pinnick Amaju Melvin, Mallam Shehu Dikko and three other top board members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The probe follows a petition EFCC received from a former National Team Coach, James Peters, on May 4, 2018 with a heading “Monumental Stealing and Financial Crimes in the Nigeria Football Federation.”
It alleged “unprecedented stealing, corrupt practices and financial crimes being perpetrated.” The former Technical Director also alleged “stealing and fraudulent activities by Financial Derivatives Ltd, a company cunningly brought into the NFF by President Amaju Pinnick for the sole purpose of warehousing money outside the official accounts of the NFF in the Central Bank and diverting same for fraudulent activities.”
Why all these struggles? Is it the love for football? Or love for Nigeria? If you understand how huge the money in soccer is, then you begin to understand the Tarka-me-I Daboh-you struggles.
On Saturday, we will look at The Money.
Many Nigerians are not worried about the NFF – Sports Ministry imbroglio. But we should, else our tales of woe will continue, for the 2022 World Cup has already started. Unfortunately, it augurs ill that we have one faction in Abuja and another faction in Diaspora, albeit in the almighty FIFA. A house divided against itself, the Bible says, can never stand.