Paul Bassey
Throughout the House of Representatives and Senate Committee sessions on sports, there was a consensus that money was the root of all our football woes.

Many wondered why money should be released to NFF after it had been appropriated in the name of NFA.

Why, the government argued, should the NFF not put the Sports ministry in the know as to how much it was getting from FIFA and how it was disbursing same.

All the quarrels between the NSC and the NFF had roots in money.

Also, all the in fighting about sponsorship has to do with money.

Yes, it is because there is so much money in football today that a lot of people are ready to proverbially “fight naked in public” to have control of such resources.

Are you then surprised that Alhaji Sani Lulu could only come out recently to talk about the amount of money he received, how much the ministry held back, how much he left and so on? Money….money….money. Nothing occupies their minds. Money.

Even at the league level, money dangled before match officials has contributed in lowering standards.

When I had an opportunity of spending some time with FIFA Referee Advisor Mr Linus Mba recently, I asked him about the morality clause that stipulated that referees must be those with visible livelihood, in order to minimize their hunger when offered incentives.

He laughed, pointed at the systemic decay and invited us to take a trip down memory lane. With the help of veteran football administrator Arthur Kwame we accepted the Mba challenge and decided to also look back at those glory days of our football when administrators and NFA Board members were men of substance who used their wealth and standing to help the federation and the players out of financial difficulties even if it was in the form of loan

That took us to the mentioning of names like Kojo Alakija who with one phone call will get Mandilas Travels to organize a trip for the national team and debit his account.

“ Paul, with due respect to those who are there now, the mere mention of board members then, commanded respect. Tell me, will former NFA Chairman Yusuf Ali, former MD of Unipetrol condescend so low as to struggle to go on a trip because of the estacode he was likely to receive?” Kwame Arthur interjected, saying the man was busy with work and always delegated functions.

We remembered Prince Adeniyi, ( Poatson ), Sunny Dankaro, Chief S. O Akinwumi, Justice Ikpeazu, Guy Ikoku, Justice Shoremi, now of the Court of Appeal, Justice Uche Omo, Alhaji Grema Mohammed, Rahman Oyeyemi,  Chief J. B. Ogufere, Dr Ayo Bello, Chief Femi Olukanmi, Chief Layiwola Olagbemiro and Engineer Remi Asuni.

How can I forget the chain smoking Tony Omoera who was my principal at Saint Finbarr’s College (Later moved to Maryland Comprehensive and Saint Gregory’s College)

Much as Chief Nathaniel Idowu existed in a class of his own, Chief M.K.O Abiola was a veritable supporter of the round leather game in this country, who feted sports contingents at every opportunity and rewarded excellence in cash and kind.

The military also provided us with men of repute when it came to football administration and the following names come to mind. Air Commodore Emeka Omeruah, ( Graduated to Ministerial position ) Group captains Tony Ikhazoboh and John Obakpolor, Colonels Asielue and Muminu Aminu, present Inspector General of Police M.D Abubakar.

Today we can count on His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto and the Emir of Ilorin as football people who gave the sport respect when they were in charge.

In the organizational cadre, there was quality support coming from the secretariat and names like Oyo Orok Oyo, POC Achebe Patrick Okpomo Herbert Omokhaye alias Alibay (We don’t even remember that he was NFA Sec Gen) Effiong Okon ( Also became Chairman ) and of course Sani Toro who will always want to remind you that he superintended over the golden days of Nigerian football!

I could go on and on, even at the risk of offending a lot of people by omission, yet my argument is that there was a time, off the field when money did not tear our administration apart because those who were in control were people with respectable standing in society and used their means to advance the cause of the game.

Not anymore.

A friend takes his leave

I have managed to put this column together despite a very heavy heart. Last Friday, I lost a dear friend one who shared my life travails, who stood by me through thick and thin.

There is no one who knows me that did not know Felix Adekanye, my driver for 15 years. Yes 15 years. Mrs Regina Udobong of Mobil Producing Nigeria, believed he was an angel to have tolerated me for 15 years!

Evangelist Nkoyo Efretuei saw him as “….a son, a friend indeed and faithful partner….”

Felix was these and more, the family is devastated, my Children are inconsolable, as they grew up with “ Uncle Felix “ and have not known any other.

Last Friday, without any warning, even as I was preparing to get him discharged from the hospital, he took his leave and left a young widow even with a six month old baby!

Adieu Felix, thank you for devoting your life to my existence, thanks for sharing my life, thanks for a true devotion of faithfulness and allegiance…..I WILL MISS YOU FELIX, THANKS FELIX FOR EVERYTHING…FARE WELL MY DEAR AND TRUE FRIEND.

Dear Reader, see you next week.