Since 1945, the Nigerian government has jealously held on to our football and lifted it high up beyond the reach of the private practitioners. And like little children , we’ve been crying husk, hoping patiently that some day our “big brother” would decide to put the ball down and give it back to us.
I know we all love football, but it’s such an irony that in trying to save guard the precious round leather game, the government is destroying it.
We shouldn’t always go back to the drawing board. Its all trial and error. We’ve sacked the foreign technicians so many times; we’ve sacked the local coaches too. We’ve changed the players and added more new legs, yet the super Eagles seem destined for a free fall. So much squabble at the NFF and NPL, with so many square pegs pushing their way into the round holes. It’s sheer hypocrisy, the Nigerian football administration have been highly politicized – that’s it.
The potential is all there for all to see. We know the passion and the deep emotions that we all attach to the issues of the game. No doubt, football has taken the monopoly as the one and only sport in Nigeria. The follower-ship seem to have paralyzed other sports. The truth is, Nigeria has one of the largest football market in the world – over 50 million active consumers across the nation. This is one great treasure we’ve been toying with for over 65 years now.
In the right hands, NFF, NPL and “made in Nigeria football” can be transformed into one precious ornament that the world will so desire – and the industry will become so profitable for our nation.
In the search for the so called messiah, we’ve five men that has all the antecedents, credentials and skills to bring about the need transformation in our football sport. These five men have the “football sense,” experience and the entrepreneur skills to administer the sport to a profitable growth.
Kenneth O. Boardman (Born 1958) is a seasoned administrator. He’s presently the CEO of SKB Executive Business School – He train top managers for various industries.
Mr. Boardman has the capacity to transform our football. He played professional football in Europe and America; he also played for the green Eagles in the 80’s.
Mr. Boardman has Bsc in Marketing, MBA in Business Administration, Msc in Information System technology. He studied international business and did extensive research studies in Sports marketing and Administration.
Obi Asika (Born 1968) is a visionary and an extraordinary entrepreneur. He has successfully ventured into Investment Banking, Oil and gas, Business support, TV production and he’s presently the CEO of Storm360 – A music and TV content production establishment.
Mr. Asika has the skills and experience to transform Nigeria football. Mr. Asika played Amateur football in England and worked for several years as county representative for ISL World Wide – A marketing firm in charge of all FIFA Organized events.
Mr. Asika has LLB in Law and MBA in business administrations.
John Fashanu (Born 1962) is perhaps one of the greatest administrator and entrepreneur of our time. He is the CEO of “bnr range of products.”
He’s very experience in football administration and have the capacity to turn around the Nigeria football. Mr. Fashanu presently sit at the board of Wimbledon FC in the UK. He played professional football in the UK and also played for the English National team. He played with clubs such as Norwich, Wimbledon, Aston Villa etc.
Mr. Fashanu has a degree in Physical Education and post graduate diploma in sports business administrations.
Chief Orji Uzor Kalu (Born 1960) is a great motivator. A seasoned Entrepreneur and politician. He was the former governor of Abia State and presidential aspirant for PPA during 2006 elections. He’s also the chairman of Bornu Water Board.
Chief Kalu is a jinx broker and has a great capacity to excel with Nigeria football. He was the first administrator that guarded Eyimba FC to win CAF champions League back-to-back in 2003 and 2004.
Chief Kalu has a Bsc in Political Science and LLB in law.
Chief Festus Onigbinde (Born 1942) is a trained coach and football administrator. He took the Nigeria national team to the Nation’s cup finals in 1992 and to the 2002 world cup.
Chief Onigbinde has the experience and capacity to transform Nigeria football. He has served for many years as CAF and FIFA technical director. He’s perhaps the greatest asset Nigeria football still has now.
