It is no longer news that Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is vying to become the next president of Federal Republic of Nigeria. His intentions have been made clear which is audible to the deaf and visible to the blind.
Governor Bello who is serving his second term as the number citizen of Kogi State has been described as a child of destiny with the way he emerged Governor.
Different political and non governmental organizations have been throwing their weights behind him on his presidential ambition.
But how ready is Governor Bello to preside over the affairs of Nigeria?
Many will want to look how much has Yahaya Bello achieved as Governor of Kogi State, politically and otherwise which should serve as enough selling points for him to aspire for the top position in the nation’s political class.
It is pertinent to note that while Governor Yahaya Bello is being celebrated for his stand on Covid 19 which has aided the state from further dip into economic doom, he will not only be judged for Covid19. Sports, entertainment, culture also need to have a facelift under Yahaha Bello’s administration as Governor of Kogi State.
His achievements on these various sectors will be used to judge him whether he has what it takes to be president of this country.
Talking about sports, Governor Bello need to up his game in that sector and need to do that fast.
Sports is one of the easiest ways to encourage youths in the state as many will be engaged and empowered. Kogi State is blessed with exceptional talents in sports among the youths spread across the geo-political areas of the state.
It is worrisome to know that for the past three seasons, both Kogi United and Confluence Queens, state owned football clubsides have not been paid their sign-on-fees and allowances.
Both clubs, for the first time since their establishment made it to the finals of their various leagues; Kogi United reached the playoff stage of the NNL in 2018 while Confluence Queens ended as runners up in the 2019 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL), narrowly lost to Rivers Angels in the final.
On both occasions, the clubs did not have any support from the government in terms of representation and motivation.
Apart from the salaries, both state owned football clubs have not received a dime from the government for their day to day running.
Imagine players of state owned clubs going cap in hand for funds before going for training and honoring a league match.
It is embarrassing to know that Confluence Queens did not have a major preseason programs before starting the ongoing women league.
For Kogi United, the boys have not trained for weeks in protest of their back log of allowances and remunerations owed by the state government.
Since 2019, the two teams have sharing one coaster bus to go to training and traveling for league games. Unfortunately, their only means of transportation is now begging for attention as it usually developed faults each they use to honor away matches.
One will wonder what will make a Governor of a state in Nigeria and some of his aides to openly celebrate foreign clubs they support while the state owned teams are struggling for survival.
Governor Bello even went further to invite Super Eagles’ captain Ahmed Musa to the state and organized a reception for him whereas he (or any of his political appointees) has not visited the teams owned by the state government since he assume office in 2016.
Sometimes, you will wonder why professional footballers who are playing in top tiers division in Nigeria are begging for foods, recharge cards and survival when, in a saner clime, are to be free givers.
Many of these players are breadwinners of their families and being owed for such backlog of entitlements has further put their families in great challenge.
The Kogi State Sports Council is in the shadow of itself. The council is seriously short of human power after many of the staff have retired and some have died.
The council is also begging for training infrastructure which is making her best talents to be poached by other states who valued sports and understand how it should be used to empower the youths.
If state government owned clubs are being treated badly, what is the fate of other clubs that are striving to bring glory to the state?
Kogi Pillars FC, owned and singlehandedly managed by Adavi LGA have gained promotion to play in Nationwide League One, NLO. They achieved that feat without state government support, but now need all the support they can get from a youth-led Kogi government.
Lokoja FC, another club owned by Lokoja Local Government has been struggling season after season. They hardly honor league games. No single support from the state government. This should be the oldest football club in Kogi.
The Igala Premier League ended few weeks ago and an Igala United Football Club has been formed to further empower the youths through sports.
Okun Unity Cup was organized by patriotic youths in the area and great talents were discovered.
What is their fate to play football professionally if the state owned teams are not encouraged?
If the Governor is truly serious about his 2023 presidential ambition, it is very important to take sports serious and let charity begin at home through sports.
Governor Bello will be remembered not only for his success in providing adequate security, combating the Covid19 and refused to take advantage of it to milk the state, but how he failed on other sectors like sports.
Governor Yahaya Bello’s ambition to become president of Nigeria in 2023, may not achieve desire support if sports in his state is suffering total neglect.
A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.
– Enemali Martins wrote from Lokoja, Kogi State.