When we lose loved ones, the pain is great. When we lose loved ones through the fault of someone else’s incompetence, the pain is deeper. We want payback and retribution. We are inconsolable with words of comfort. We look up to the heavens and wonder why our creator would let this kind of misfortune visit us.

We are such an interesting nation peopled by different characters and shades of individuals with no discernible compass. We do things in very ridiculous manners and get national awards for it. Nigeria is an award-giving-ceremony country but with less achievements both at the individual and collective levels, and often times one wonders why the ostentatious display of success without visible signs to showcase such achievements.

I find myself writing sports again in spite of my vow not to ever undertake such a depressing exercise after seeing more than half a century of a joyful career gradually dissolving into sheer dismay.

I WAS born in the Northern part of Nigeria (Jos, now the capital of Plateau State) some decades ago. As my name reads, my parents (both) were from the Southern part of the country (South Western zone). My primary education took place in two different schools run by Christian institutions.

Nigerians are a peculiar breed. This shows up everywhere. In a football match with another country on our home ground, Nigerians would start off encouraging their team; but as soon as the Nigerian team falls into goal deficit, Nigerians would switch their support to the visiting team and, depending on their level of disappointment, they might begin to haul stones at the Nigerian players.