By Patrick Omorodion
The uproar generated by the reaction of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF on the demand for justice by its disengaged employee, Sylvanus Okpala is growing by the day with more Nigerians asking the football house to pay the former coach his dues without further delay.

The NFF through its Secretary General had lambasted Okpala calling him a blackmailer for “dragging the president’s name into the small matter” and asking him to name the forum and place Maigari had the said discussion with him.

Sylvanus Okpala

Angry Nigerians have however, continued to demand immediate payment of Okpala’s dues by the NFF  which they described as insensitive.

Asking if the NFF ever gave any reason for slashing Okpala’s bonus by 50%, Njiogu Osondu wrote “How can our football move forward when it is run by mediocres? Maigari hiding under the cloak of FIFA autonomy has tried several times to intimidate Nigeria. Can anyone denigrate Nigeria without being disrespectful to the President of the federation? No. Please pay Okpalla his entitlements plus the cost of damages that has accrued so far.”

Austin Okoro poured invectives on the NFF thus, “What cheap display of their ineptitude. All these schemes will be exposed someday and woe betide the shylock that will be found responsible. A workman is entitled to his wages.”

Charles Agbonwaneten said, “One cannot imagine the brains that run football in Nigeria.

How could they offer a contract and fully breach the terms and expect the party involved to do nothing? They can’t even honour their own terms of the contract. They are really dummies to be surprised of the responses of Okpala. I really believe the allegations and NFF President is absolutely capable of doing that. Their behaviour so far is a clear proof. If they don’t want more troubles they should reinstate Okpala or pay him off like Amodu was settled before the last World Cup in South Africa.

Another visitor to the Vanguard Media website is Frank Akinbobuyi who wrote, “It’s rather unfortunate we fail to celebrate those who put Nigeria out there positively for the world to see. I grew up knowing Okpala as one of the greatest footballers in the 80s. He represented Nigeria to the best of his ability, he served Nigeria modestly better than the technocrats we have in NFF now. In the United States where I reside, there is dignity of labor. Nigeria should not be an exception. No man should be treated as a slave for what he worked for. Please pay this man.”