Opinion I Today is Int'l Day of Sport!

ELEVATING NATIONAL UNITY THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN SPORTING ACTIVITIES AS THE 2017 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SPORT IS MARKED ON THURSDAY APRIL 6

        

         

Today Thursday April 6, the world over is commemorating the 2017 International Day of Sport. On 23^rd August 2013, the Sixty-Seventh (67^th) session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly decided to proclaim April 6 of every year as the Int’l Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Previously, the fifty-eighth (58^th) session of the said Assembly proclaimed 2005 as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education to promote education, health, development and peace.   

           

In regard to the aforementioned resolution, the UN General Assembly also recognizes the role the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) plays in showcasing the achievements of athletes with impairment to a global audience and in acting as a primary vehicle to change societal perceptions of disability sports.

        

Sport can be defined as any form of usually competitive activity that requires physical effort and skill, which through casual or organized participation, tends to maintain or improve the said ability and skill; and also provides entertainment for the participants as well as the spectators.

        

Indeed, sport has been confirmed as the only common language spoken by mankind in their entirety irrespective of age, background, race, status, or social affiliation, due to its universality, entertaining nature and unique economic value. This is why it is being referred to by most people as one of the backbones of the socio-economic state of any nation.

          

Generally, there are thousands of sporting activities in existence, from the one requiring only two participations, to those with hundreds of simultaneous participants, either as a team or competing as individuals. Sport is basically recognized as an activity that is based on physical athleticism or physical dexterity. However, a number of competitive but non-physical activities claim recognition as mind sports.

         

Sports are usually governed by a set of rules or customs, which serve to ensure fair competition and allow consistent adjudication of the winner. Winning or victory can be determined by physical events such as scoring goals or crossing a line first; it can also be determined by judges who are scoring elements of the sporting performance using either objective or subjective measures including technical performance or artistic impression.

         

In organized sport, records of performance are often kept; but for popular sports, the information might be widely announced or reported in sport news. Suffice to say; sport is also a major source of entertainment for non-participants. Thus sport which often draws overwhelming crowd at its venue, also reaches wider audiences via broadcasting.

         

In recent years, there has been an increase in the application of the term ‘Sport’ to a wider set of non-physical challenging activities to include electronic games owing to the large scale of participation and organized competition witnessed in the sector. But the truth of the matter remains that this set of sports are not widely recognized by mainstream sport organizations.

          

Against this backdrop, there are opposing views on the necessity of competition as a defining element of a sport, with almost all professional sports involving competition and governing bodies requiring competition as a prerequisite for the recognition of any sporting activity by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or SportAccord. Other bodies advocate widening the definition of sport to include all physical activities. For instance, the Council of Europe recognizes all forms of physical exercise or calisthenics including those done just for fun, as sports.

           

Considering the overall impact of sport in both individual and national developments, there is no gain reiterating that sports have contributed immensely in the uplift of the socio-economic state of most individuals, communities or nations across the globe through various avenues such as rejuvenation of physical fitness, human capital growth, provision of entertainment, and most importantly promotion of unity, just to mention but a few.

          

It is noteworthy that, the physical fitness and thorough entertainment derive from, either participation in or observation of, sporting activities have continually helped tremendously in sustaining as well as uplifting the healthy living status of the individual in question thereby helping to intensify the number of available manpower in the affected country.

         

Also, the recent total commercialization of sports has enabled the activity to be universally recognized as a lucrative profession. No doubt, most human capital developments witnessed among several youths or young ones are mainly attributed to sports or the entertainment industry at large. Taking the Nigerian football league as a case study; on the average, a player on a monthly basis smiles to the bank with not less than half a million naira (#500,000).

          

In addition, sports have succeeded in booming the global broadcasting industry due to its lucrative nature, which has made many potential investors to venture into broadcasting business. It is worthy to note that most media firms, regarding both the print and electronic, were established for the sole purpose of transmitting or publishing sporting activities having acknowledged by the prospective investors the financial implication of such investment.

         

Among all, the level of unity that is being derived from sports cannot be overemphasized. Several sport participants or organizers can attest to the fact that, sport has been the major engine room behind international unity among most countries. Survey shows that presently sport remains the only tool that truly unites the gathering or meeting involving millions of individuals from diverse backgrounds, races, or affiliations. Surely, it is only a dummy that is yet to know that it is only absolute unity that guarantees thorough peace and development among any group of persons, which is one of the paramount desires of any society.

           

As the global community marks the annual International Day of Sport, we are expected to embrace sport as a major tool for cordial unity/relationship among individuals or nations, thus ought to be taken seriously by any individual, government, or authority, as the case may be. Therefore, its teachings in every citadel of learning at all levels should be considered paramount and sacrosanct. More so, every parent or guardian is expected to encourage his/her child or ward in sports participation regardless of age considering the social, cultural, health and economic consequence of the said participation.

         

Above all, the governments at all levels such as local, state and federal ought to in their various capacities not hesitate to finance any sport activity or competition taking place at their respective areas. Also, the various schools ranging from primary to secondary and tertiary, should intensify efforts on the usual annual hosting or organization of sport competitions in their respective schools, and should endeavour to intimate or reach out to the entire public whenever such event is being organized.

          

It is obvious that in Nigeria recently, sport has been politicized by most concerned stakeholders. In view of this pathetic anomaly, the law makers should enact a strict law that would sanction or severely penalized a member of any sport governing body in the country, such as the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), that is found guilty of any fraudulent or selfish act while discharging his or her official duty.

          

On the other hand, the civil society should endeavour to consistently condemn or criticize the ongoing fanaticism witnessed among sport lovers. They should be meant to understand that fanaticism, which invariably leads to extremism, is a cankerworm that might end up eradicating the prime essence of sports which is unity, peace and development. Statistics indicate that sport fanaticism has succeeded in killing thousands of people, as well as maimed millions of them across the globe.

          

It is needless to state that we all, either individually or collectively, have a role to play in sustaining the overwhelming impact of sport in human development. Think about it!     

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Opinion I One Word On Melaye's Certificate Conundrum

ONE WORD ON MELAYE’S CERTIFICATE CONUNDRUM

       

The last time I checked, the Nigeria’s eight National Assembly – particularly its Red Chamber – had been characterized by series of distractions, that, any observer could insinuate that all is not well with the country’s current polity. One of the distractions emanated from the recent allegation leveled against the Member representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Mr. Dino Melaye by the online news outfit Sahara Reporters, stating that the senator never graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Kaduna State as claimed by the legislator.

       

It’s pertinent to acknowledge that Sen. Melaye’s political career hasn’t been spared of various controversies cum accusations. Sometime ago, it was alleged that he continued to operate a checking and savings account with a US-based bank, in violation of Nigeria’s extant law. It’s noteworthy that the Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau prohibits the use of foreign accounts by elected and public officials. Melaye criticized the former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for ‘importing his wife’ rather than marrying a Nigerian woman. Sometime penultimate year, he threatened to beat up one of his female colleagues Sen. Oluremi Tinubu on the floor of the Senate.

         

Sen. Melaye’s claims not only did he graduate legitimately from ABU, but had successfully earned seven degrees from various other institutions across the globe to include the revered Harvard’s University Kennedy School for Educational Leadership, and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE); a claim that had been refuted by both institutions, with the former alleging that Melaye only presented himself for a week-long professional development course in late 2016, whilst LSE alleged there was no evidence on its database that the lawmaker ever obtained any degree from the institution.

        

Regarding that of ABU, Sen. Melaye was cleared by the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university Prof. Ibrahim Garba who appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on Monday 27^th March 2017, to confirm that the embattled senator graduated from the institution, though under a different name ‘Daniel Jonah Melaye’. There are intriguing factors that ought to be closely considered towards clearing all elements of suspicion.

        

It was disclosed by Prof. Garba that Sen. Melaye graduated from ABU but with a different name, which implies that he was enrolled into the university with a name he is not currently bearing. Since the lawmaker had testified at the floor of the Senate that he once had a change of name, we need to inquire from him what actually informed the decision. Also, Melaye reportedly secured admission with only three credit passes as against five credit passes usually required by virtually every institution of higher learning ab initio. Although he had refuted the allegation, claiming he had up to five credit passes, I think it would be wise to consult the West African Examination Council (WAEC) for onward clarification.

        

It was equally gathered that Sen. Melaye underwent his National Youth Service in 1999 whereas record has it that he had his first degree in 2000. This implies that he did his NYSC programme prior to his graduation. How do we reconcile this? It is saddening that the VC didn’t use the occasion to throw more light on this complication. Maybe the Senate Committee equally needs to invite the NYSC for clarifications.

        

These things have to be well explained by all concerned towards quenching some lingering doubts completely. Besides, was the VC in better position to appear before the Senate Committee than the Registrar of the university? We are strongly not unaware that issues pertaining to admission procurement as well as graduation have to do with Office of the Registrar, thus I saw no reason the VC chose to hold brief for the University’s Registrar.

         

However, I’m of the view that it’s high time authorities in Nigeria stopped attaching so much importance and relevance to a mere paper qualification. A certificate does not in any way guarantees one’s competence and reliability; rather, what he/she has upstairs. Paper qualification should only be seen as a means of identification, and not a symbol for the bearer’s ability or prowess.

       

Believing so much in certificates has been the sole reason several Nigerians have resorted to indulging in all sorts of social-vices, including examination malpractices, admission racketeering, impersonation, forgery, and what have you, in order to acquire a degree certificate, thereby unleashing mockery and disgust on the country’s polity. I want to state unequivocally that several of our present public servants never visited the four-walls of any higher citadel of learning let alone obtaining a degree certificate, which they purportedly have in their respective possessions.

        

In view of this, it’s only Sen. Dino Melaye’s ‘course mates’ that can prove to Nigerians beyond doubts that the legislator truly attended as well as graduated from ABU, among the other institutions he claim attendance. Meanwhile, now that Sen. Ali Ndume who supported the blown whistle had been outrightly suspended by the Senate, thereby making him share similar fate with Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin of the lower chamber, what next? Think about it!

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ShortStory I Life's Intrigues (III)

LIFE’S INTRIGUES (III)

      “Meaning that first year female students are always glad to receive the hand of a guy in upper level, “Chinwe responded hesitantly as she sat on the foam. “Especially a final year student.” She added in a jiffy.

       Damilola, ‘Dami’ as she was fondly called, was speechless, sat on a plastic reading-chair positioned directly opposite where her roommate was seated.

       “So tell me,” quoth Chinwe. “What level is he?”

         Damilola dished out a dazzling smile, overwhelmed though. “You have said it all.” She said.

        “Meaning?”

        “Final year.” She eventually revealed.

        “Hmm…” murmured Chinwe. “I am happy for you.” She uttered. “But, you have to be very careful.”

         Damilola was quiet, remained attentive.

        “I mean, extremely careful.” Chinwe supplemented.

        “How?” verified Damilola. “Why?”

        “Not all that glitters is gold, of course.”

          Damilola became thoughtful and jittery. “Alright.” she assented. “I appreciate, because I know you are talking from experience …”

         “And experience remains the best teacher.” Chinwe interrupted.

          The conversation continued for over forty minutes till they became exhausted, thus retired to the kitchen to fetch their dinner.

         As days unfolded, the 25-year-old Chukwudi, and Damilola who was 20, became best of friends that they couldn’t do anything on the campus without involving each other. The pleasant scenario proceeded to the delight of everyone including Chinwe, the second year student of Marketing department who was all along acting as a special adviser to the latter. But, at a point she (Chinwe) became apparently jealous of the relationship, which could be best described as divine.

   * * * * * *

      “You are indeed beautiful.” Chukwudi teased.

      “Thank you.” Chinwe responded cheerfully. “You are handsome too.” She added.

        “Sure?”

        “Of course.”

         The two were having a good time at Chukwudi’s residence. They agreed to meet via phone call the previous day. Chinwe – Damilola’s roommate – had succeeded in luring the dude into her net during one of his numerous visits to their lodge. She had tried seducing him on one fateful day; the seduction was informed by Damilola’s exit to the kitchen section; in that occasion, Chinwe sat loosely on their foam so she could trap Chukwudi who was seated in a plastic chair sited opposite her. She knew she caught his attention by the move, thus therein demanded for his phone number to enable them seal the deal thereafter and the chap never hesitated in complying with the silly request. Barely twenty-four hours after the scene took place, Chinwe found her way into his one-bedroom apartment situated about ten kilometres away from their lodge.

       “I am just hearing it for the first time.” said Chukwudi who sat on his foam right in his room.

       “That you are handsome?’ verified the 22-year-old Chinwe who was seated on a chair positioned directly opposite the host.

        “Yes.”

        “You lied.”

        “Why did you say so?”

        “Because, your handsomeness is obvious.” She reiterated, stylishly trying to chew her lips in a move to further seduce the dude.

        “Really?”

         Definitely.” She said as she remained on the seat clad in a tight mini-skirt, pink sexy top and black high-heeled slippers.

        Her wears were all doing what they were assigned to do. Every part of her private parts was relatively visible. Almost half of her moderately large boobs were outside her bra, and the section that was inside was yet transparent. Spectacles weren’t needed to see the colour of the bra, which was equally pink. In the same vein, her panties could be widely seen from where the host sat as a result of how loosely she was seated coupled with the fact that the skirt was almost showing every part of her succulently-looking thighs. To assert the least, her virtually nude body supplemented to her apparent natural beauty, though could be described as irritating by any decent and respectable man.

       Chukwudi who couldn’t withstand his sight, stepped to where she sat, squatted, and began to roll his both hands on the nude laps. She assented to the gesture, considering her countenance and reaction. Against this backdrop, the dude stood up, calmly lifted her up and within a twinkle of an eye, she was lying on his foam. It was when she lay that he saw the other part of her, which was earlier hidden; the shape of her bum-bum was ‘splendid’ and controversial – well curved. In fifteen minutes interval, they were through with the tango, thus they lay nakedly beside each other right on the foam. No doubt, her mission had been duly accomplished.

        Afterwards, the secret affair lingered unabated, with only the knowledge of the sky. The least Damilola could imagine, let alone think about, was that her seeming lovely and loving roommate cum adviser was never for her good. Similarly, the least she could dream of was that Chukwudi ‘of all people’ was cheating on her let alone with her supposed best friend who could equally be described as her sister.

        The forsaken drama proceeded till one fateful day when she caught them red-handed right in their (the ladies’) room. On that day, Chukwudi, as usual, had come to check on Damilola without prior notice not knowing that she wasn’t home. When he was told by Chinwe that Damilola was yet to return from school, he made a move to take his leave with the intention of returning later in the day, but Chinwe insisted that he stayed back. He was left with no choice, hence, he succumbed to the persuasion. One thing led to another, they initiated a tango right on the innocent foam, and in the process Damilola walked in.

        The funniest part was that they didn’t even remember to keep the door locked, perhaps due to the inevitable tempo of the sensation that emanated from the uncalled and unscheduled football match.

        “What…?” Damilola shouted the moment she sighted the scene that could best be described as warfront having kept the door open.

        They hastily separated on hearing the exclamation, got dressed and felt like retrieving the video as was shockingly taped by the victim of the circumstance. Chukwudi dashed out of the apartment and took his leave whilst the devil personified remained on the foam, felt electrocuted although looked hardened. The rest is history!

** The End **

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