Super Eagles, Rohr and Russia 2018

SUPER EAGLES, ROHR AND RUSSIA 2018

      Since 24^th February 2016 Sunday Oliseh resigned as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles, the technical committee of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had been relentlessly in search of an astute personnel that would fill the vacuum, till Friday 5^th August when the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF announced the appointment of Gernot Rohr as the new Technical Adviser of the team.

      It would be recalled that prior to the recent appointment of Mr. Rohr as the Chief Coach of the Nigeria’s national team, several individuals, both indigenous and foreign, to include Samson Siasia, Paul Le Guen and Salisu Yusuf, had been contracted to man the team. Siasia who was appointed following Oliseh’s resignation, though on an interim basis, was shown the way out owing to his inability to qualify the team for the forthcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be hosted by Gabon in 2017.

      Subsequently, in July 2016, the NFF pronounced the appointment of the French 52-year-old football tactician – Paul Le Guen as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles, only for the appointee to reportedly reject the offer, perhaps due to inability of the board to consent to some sensitive demands. Following the contract failure, Salisu Yusuf was asked to man the team for the time being, till penultimate month when the new masquerade was unveiled.

      Hence, the appointment of the 63-year-old German, Gernot Rohr as the new substantive manager of the Super Eagles was long overdue. However, his appointment has been greeted by mixed feelings. Some are of the view that he was not qualified for the job, whilst others saw no reason an indigenous coach didn’t deserve the honour. In his words, the Ex-FIFA and CAF executive member, Amos Adamu has unequivocally stated that Nigerian soccer would not get better under the tutelage of the German. According to Adamu who is a past sole administrator of the NFF, the new coach ‘who is relatively unknown’ lacks the pedigree to coach the team.

      Rohr who was contracted for a 2-year term at $47,000 (about #18 million) per month, is a former footballer. Until his appointment, he was working with the German Football Federation (GFF) on developmental programmes. In ’96, he managed Girondins Bordeaux, France to the UEFA cup final, where they lost to Bayern Munich. From October ’98 to April ’99, he was the sports director of Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany. In 2009, he was the head coach of the FC Nantes of France. In 2010, he was in charge of Gabon national team. In September 2012, he became the manager of Niger national team, and resigned in October 2014. In 2015, he was the Technical Adviser of the Burkina Faso national team till in 22^nd December 2015 when he was sacked. Furthermore, in July 2016, he was shortlisted for the Guinea national team job.

      Since Nigeria won’t make it to Gabon come 2017, what currently matters to any Nigerian football enthusiast is for the new coach to ensure that the Super Eagles’ absence wouldn’t be equally felt in Russia come 2018 for the next FIFA World Cup. Thus, the Russia 2018, expected to take place between June 14 and July 15 2018, ought to be seen as the prime target of the new Super Eagles’ boss. Though he has already stated that he would ‘make the Eagles fly again’, I beg to believe more in actions.

      In the qualifying stage of the said global tournament, Nigeria who is in Group B is grouped alongside Algeria, Cameroon, and Zambia. History has it that the aforementioned three teams have, ab initio, been reckoned to be among the best African national teams, till date. Suffice it to say that the highly revered Super Eagles are placed in a tight corner as regards the ongoing search for a ticket that would guarantee their presence as well as participation in the quadrennial event. It has been adjudged that the team is in ‘Group of Death’.

      The first official outing of the new manager took place on Saturday 3^rd September 2016 in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State during the match between the Super Eagles and the Taifa Stars of Tanzania as the remaining AFCON 2017 qualifying fixture, in which both teams played merely for pride considering that the Pharaohs of Egypt has won the only ticket at stake in the group. Although the Eagles defeated the opponent, it’s imperative to acknowledge that Rohr has an enormous task ahead. The defence and the attacking midfield need to be strengthened headlong. And the team must be properly trained for teamwork rather than individual performance.

      On Sunday October 9, the Chipolopolo of Zambia would be hosting the Eagles for their first outing in the qualifying round. Obviously, the days away are too short. It’s noteworthy that the awaited outing would contribute in determining the fate of the Eagles, thus is meant to be taken very seriously by the management of the team.

      Regarding availability, I suggest, the coach should focus more on indigenous players rather than the foreign ones. On this note, he must endeavour to watch the remaining crucial matches of the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to enable him select better legs that can compete against the Zambia. Similarly, he mustn’t rely on one goalkeeper due to contingencies.

     Moreover, Gernot Rohr needs to watch virtually all the past matches of the Eagles in a bid to make consequential amendments. The NFF, on its part, must not trivialize match bonuses of the players and coaches toward avoiding apathy among them. The time might be short, but if well planned, Super Eagles will surely fly again. Think about it!

 

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)
-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-
Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

 

     

                      

The Imo's Disarmament and Okorocha's Stride

IMO, THE MILITANTS AND OKOROCHA’S STRIDE

      The last time I checked, Imo was no doubt agog penultimate week, precisely on Wednesday 14^th September 2016. It was unbelievable, yet very interesting on the said date when hundreds of militants from the ancient state graciously jettisoned their arms, thereby denouncing their barbaric faith having embraced the amnesty declared by the governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha.

      The disarmament was reportedly carried out at the Government House Owerri in the presence of the governor coupled with other security cum religious stakeholders to include the Commander of Artillery-34 Brigade of the Nigerian Army – Brig. Gen. Kay Isiyaku, the state’s Police Commissioner – Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, the state’s DSS Commander and NSCDC Commandant, as well as a host of distinguished Catholic and Anglican clerics.

       Arms surrendered by the different confraternities namely, the Niger Delta Red Squad, IYC, and the Rescue Force, included AK-47 rifles, Pump Action guns, local pistols, axes and knives, and what have you. Gov. Okorocha who assured the teeming repentant militants that he would take their demands to President Muhammadu Buhari who according to him would formally declare the amnesty, gave those whom were yet to jettison their arms one week ultimatum to do so toward avoiding the government’s wrath.

       It was painful that I was inevitably absent when the epochal incident took place; I was in Abuja on that fateful day. I would have cherished to witness the scenario. When I got the news prior to the D-day, I was of the view it was a mere joke not until that very day when the event actually occurred as scheduled. I kept smiling starting from the very moment I got the phone call that rightly notified me that it was a reality. Right from then, all I wanted, or cared for, was to embrace Imo once again towards observing the new countenance of the ever famous state.

       To say that Governor Okorocha has done noble is undoubtedly an understatement; he has indeed done novel. Though I wasn’t that surprised considering how much the governor has fared ab initio in security matters, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that this very one is conspicuously extraordinary. I really appreciate his Excellency for this giant stride. Since the governor assumed duty as the number one citizen of the highly revered state, he has proven beyond doubts that he is the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the province.

       By the recent achievement, I’m sure other CSOs across the federation, including President Buhari, would gladly wish to consult him with the aim of receiving guideline on how to tackle militancy coupled with other forms of societal ills. It’s a thing of honour to any right thinking individual, especially Imolite.

       Lest I forget; we are not unaware the governor never acted alone. It’s apparent that without the support or efforts of the various concerned security operatives, the laudable intent wouldn’t have been a success. Hence, thumb up for CP Lakanu and Brig. Gen. Isiyaku, to be precise. With this, you have given Imolites additional hope even amidst the economic recession. You all deserve to be celebrated to the best of my knowledge.

       However, posterity wouldn’t forgive my person if I fail to point at some critical issues seeking urgent attention. Now that we have succeeded in arriving at this point, having witnessed series of ungodly acts involving militancy, armed robbery, cultism, and kidnapping in the state - particularly Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta LGAs, for quite some time now, it would be ideal for us to address other crucial issues pertaining to the said security menace.

        I strongly belong to a school of thought that believes that the best way to eradicate any societal plight is to terminate its rudimentary cause(s). It’s not anymore news that incidence of militancy is usually attributable to perceived maltreatment by the actors of the ill, and that of Imo State isn’t an exception. The leader of the Niger Delta Red Squad in the person of Mr. Jibaa Chikere otherwise known as ‘Panga’ had reportedly stated during the event of disarmament that, some of the reasons his men had been vandalizing oil pipelines in the state was lack of attention to the host communities by the government and the oil firms.

       Though suchlike reason wasn’t enough for them to take to crime, or be in possession of arms, it’s imperative to note that the communities in question haven’t gotten a fair share/portion of their entitlements. The oil firms would end up polluting as well as constitute other environmental nuisances in their host communities, but would never make frantic effort to make it up to them. They can’t even boast of social cum basic amenities such as roads, electricity, potable water, and hospitals, among others.

      The government needs to unequivocally mandate those oil firms to rise up to their challenge of developing their respective host communities. Although Gov. Okorocha has already assured the repentant militants of government’s resolve to address their pressing needs, I want to use this platform to appeal to all the relevant stakeholders to, henceforth, take the affected communities very seriously like never before. In view of this, the amnesty ought to be accompanied with lofty and lucrative programmes. We can’t continue to live in the past if we are truly ready to transform some existing things, positively.

      So, as much as I immensely appreciate as well as celebrate the governor alongside the security operatives, I equally urge him to face the reality squarely towards arriving at a more desired point. Let’s not abuse this benefit of doubt the insurgents have given to the government. We may have succeeded in curbing a certain predicament but if the root causes are still relegated to the background, I’m afraid, the problem is yet to be solved. Think about it!

 

 

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)
-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-
Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

   

Towards Eradicating Corruption in Democratic System

TOWARDS ERADICATION OF CORRUPTION IN DEMOCRATIC SETTING AS THE WORLD MARKS THE 2016 INT’L DEMOCRACY DAY ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15

       Today, Thursday September 15, the world over is commemorating the 2016 International Day of Democracy. The Day, which is annually celebrated, was adopted on November 8, 2007 by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. In its resolution in 2007, the General Assembly, which believes that human rights and the rule of law are best protected in democratic societies, encouraged governments to strengthen national programmes devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy and also decided that 15^th of September of each year should be observed as the International Day of Democracy.

       The International Day of Democracy was first celebrated in the year 2008. The UN General Assembly recognized that the year 2008 marked the 20^th anniversary of the first International Conference of New or Restored Democracies, which gave people a chance to focus on promoting and consolidating democracy worldwide. The event which featured various activities was used to raise public awareness about democracy.

        According to BBC English Dictionary, democracy is a ‘system of government or organization in which the citizens or members choose leaders or make other important decisions by voting.’ The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defines it as a ‘fair and equal treatment of everyone in an organization or any group of persons, and their right to take part in making decisions’. In Political Science, democracy is referred to as ‘the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.’ Furthermore, democracy could be described as the slogan or anthem of a certain organization that is being cited or sung, and understood by the entire members of the organization or union.

        The last time I checked, democracy of any country deserved a thorough sustenance because it’s no doubt a welcome development. This implies that any democratic state is expected to be fiercely safeguarded at all cost owing to the fact that any practice that gives peace to those concerned requires adequate sustenance. However, it is appalling that in most developing nations such as Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Rwanda, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Kenya, among others, democracy has suffered from enormous maltreatment due to corruption. Without mincing words, corruption has remained a blood-sucking cankerworm in the democratic dispensation of numerous countries in the world to include the aforementioned ones.

       Corruption has indeed hampered the socio-economic and political growth of several nations, thereby constituting nuisance to the available human and natural resources of the nations in question. Surely, the various lingering uncalled, bilious and questionable attitudes including personal aggrandizement, nepotism, election rigging, abuse of human rights cum rule of law, misappropriation of public funds as well as impunity of most public/political office holders, in a country like Nigeria, is solely attributed to corruption. In a nutshell, unequivocally, corruption has obviously rendered so many countries incapacitated, all in the name of ‘democracy’.

        Since democracy is believed to be the only system of government that allows the citizenry to express their views in any manner they prefer as well as act as they desire, people have unfortunately mistaken its flexible and liberal features for laxity and docility. The leaders on their part, rather than safeguarding the constitution which is the rudimentary symbol of democracy, have equally chosen to abuse the content of such essential document that’s required to be kept sacrosanct at all times.     

        Democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, and their full participation in all aspects of their lives. On the contrary, Nigeria as a country has failed to uphold this philosophy. This is why the youth are no longer the major dominance of the country’s political arena as it was during the postcolonial era.

         In spite of Nigeria’s bureaucratic nature, the youth cannot boast of at least ten percent (10%) participation in her political strive. Rather, the old men who started the game have vowed to die in service thereby endangering thorough participation of the youth that are regarded as the most productive class, which is purely contrary to the mandate of the UN. These among many more factors presently found in the seemingly democratic setting of many nations across the globe are solely products of corruption.

        Hence, as Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate the 9^th anniversary of the International Day of Democracy, we are expected to join hands in the ongoing crusade that is targeted towards total eradication of corruption in our democratic system, which has eaten deep in our bone marrow. To this end, I call on the civil society and all concerned institutions cum individuals to endeavour to contribute their respective quotas in their various jurisdictions through sensitization of the entire citizenry via several forms of awareness campaigns. We must acknowledge that this is the only way we can embrace the real dividend of democracy.           
        Similarly, there’s equally an urgent need for us to ensure that our young ones are given the opportunity to effectively participate in the country’s democratic dispensation. Thus, we ought to endeavour to highlight the challenges and opportunities of young people engaging in democratic processes. Survey indicates that people between the ages of 18 and 30 constitute a fifth of the world’s population; yet, several studies show declining faith among the said set of people in politics, with decreasing levels of participation in elections, political parties as well as socio-cultural organizations, or what have you, across the globe. This apathy applies to both established and emerging democratic states.

        Since it has been proven beyond doubts that corruption remains the prime bane of democracy and has succeeded in causing mankind an untold hardship, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that we can never get it right if it isn’t holistically eradicated. Think about it!  

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
-Public Affairs Analyst & Civil Rights Activist-
Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

http://frednwaozor.blogspot.com
Twitter: @mediambassador