By Trigo Egbeji
A good number of present-day societal conflicts linger for longer than necessary largely because neither the accusers, nor the accused persons/organizations fully appreciate the issue in contention well enough to give thought to the problem it generates.

For instance, much of the noise generated in the media over an unbelievably degenerate Nigerian nation is not necessarily the demand of a docile citizenry on a reckless, uncaring political leadership that has no defined direction.

Such had been my seemingly wasted ‘tantrums’ of the past ten weeks running since I returned to resume the crusade in the house of the boxing sport, via the media. I had anticipated no immediate changes in the wind pattern, no expectation of any higher level of success beyond the mere eligibility of participation under cover of the Green-White-Green banner.

To some extent, I may have reacted out of tune. Ours is a nation of such diverse extremes that there is always a cavalry of saints emerging to confront the legion of destruction at the very moment all hope is thought lost.

That was the surprise that came my way Monday morning in Lagos. Four days earlier, I had received a phone call from Brigadier-General Minimah who climaxed our lengthy chat with a request that I be present at a gathering of stake-holders of amateur boxing he would be hosting at the Brai Ayonote Gymnasium Complex in the National Stadium, Surulere.

General Minimah (to those not familiar with recent developments in the house) is the new chairman of the Nigerian Amateur Boxing Federation that has been under the axe in recent weeks on account of the zero performance of the country’s boxing squad at the Commonwealth Games last October in India.

Monday’s encounter with the new man at the helm of the NABF ship was as direct as can be imagined: No protocols, no academics, no holds barred as is always the trend expected in a title contest with so much at stake.

For starters, he challenged the guests present to direct all offensives at him; not at any abstract target that would not be available to depend itself of the flying charges labeled against the Federation leadership.

In a brief but penetrating opening speech General Minimah acknowledged the challenges confronting the sport, and his determination to re-invent it. The goose that laid the nation’s golden eggs must not die. Nigerian Boxing Board of control, are you listening?

I loved Monday’s session because our host did not attempt to conceal the fact that he was fully aware of the burden he had agreed to inherit by his taking over office – a declaration that won over every mind present, even before he put forth a passionate appeal for all the support he would be needing to execute his mission.

This is a posture totally in contrast with that of the many that held the hallowed office before him. Rotimi George-Taylor, for instance, apparently did not comprehend the burden that was his inheritance, so did not prepare himself. Neither were his immediate predecessors, nor those before them.

This, perhaps, set the tone of the day’s lengthy brain-storming session from one of indictment for an over sight, to that of addressing the oversight. About every one of the contributors present – including Joe Mensah, Obisia Nwankpa and Idika Nsofor – made reference to the dominant factors that clearly show how much the house had strayed from the object of its institution these 18 years past.

Amateur Boxing in Nigeria has gone under chiefly because the house leadership is a far cry from the one of 18 years ago, under which was effectively interpreted the full meaning of Control, components of which includes monitoring, organization and supervision

General Minimah climaxed his mission statement with a demonstration of the famous military fiat; he made it abundantly clear he is taking full charge and, with it, full responsibility for the outcome – success or failure

“In any case, I’m here to succeed,” he emphasized

General Minimah is a rather interesting addition to the long list of names that have held office here over the years. He takes delight in the fact that he is, probably, the only Nigerian army officer on record to box actively in competition. He would desire a setting in which the military will return to its past reputation as not only a factory, but promoters and producers of some of the nations outstanding amateur boxing champions.

Equally significantly, General Minimah made no secret of his determination to match the accomplishment of past military personnel under whose leadership amateur boxing in Nigeria recorded the highest level of success.

Which explains why, he says, he looks up to the late Brai Ayonote (1987-1992) as the model era.

(This article is coming a full week behind schedule).