COVER
60 Years of Sports Success, Failure, Disappointment for Nigeria
By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
Today, Nigeria will clock 60 years as an Independent state, having attained Independence in 1960 from the colonial masters.
As expected, Nigerians would roll out the drums in celebration of the country’s independence, and the sporting community will not be left out.
The story of Nigerian sports is no doubt a mix bag of success, failure and disappointment in the last 60 years as the country’s athletes and teams have won laurels and either crashed out of failed to qualify for international sporting competitions.
At different occasions, Nigerian athletes and teams have also been banned from taking part i continental and international competitions as a result of doping violations and age cheat.It is common knowledge that even as Nigeria has not lived up to her potentials in sports, the sector has remained one of the country’s most potent agent of unity just as it is a serious diplomatic tool. However, the general consensus has remained that Nigerian sports has failed to achieve its full potentials as the country’s sportsmen and women have been blowing hot and cold at international competitions since Independence.
Within this period, Nigeria has produced sportsmen and women that have made the nation proud at regional, continental and international sports competitions.
Though they are many, the ones that easily come to mind are the late Dick Tiger and Hogan Bassey, both world boxing champions; ex-Olympians as Isaac Ikhuoria, Peter Konyegwachi, Chioma Ajunwa, Faliat Osheku Ogunkoya, Segun Toriola, Jay Jay Okocha, Emmanuel Amunike, Kanu Nwankwo, Funke Oshonaike and Olusoji Fasugba.
Others are Late Rashidi Yekini, Innocent Egbunike, Mercy Mku, Fatima Yusuf, Chidi Imoh, Bose Kaffo, Hakeem Olajuwon, Nduka Odizor, Atanda Musa, Late Stephen Keshi, Nduka Odizor, Late Mike Opara, David Imonite, John Mikel Obi, Blessing Okagbare, among several others.
These sportsmen and women have etched Nigeria’s name in gold among sporting nations of the world, but most Nigerians believes that the country has failed to achieve her full potentials in sports when compared with less populated and endowed African countries like Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia in world athletics and the Olympics.
It is pertinent to recall that even before Independence; some Nigerians had made appreciable impact in global sports. Such Nigerians who come to mind are Emmanuel Ifejina who won a gold medal in high jump at the 1954 Commonwealth Games; Hogan Kid Bassey emerged World Featherweight Boxing champion in 1957, as well as Dick Tiger who won the Middleweight title and later the World Light Heavyweight crown. These were indeed remarkable feats that prepared the ground for Nigeria’s exploits after independence.
The country took part in three Commonwealth Games prior to independence. The first was at the Auckland edition in 1950, second was in Vancouver in 1954 and third being in Cardiff in 1958. In all these three Games. The country won a gold medal, five silver medals and four bronze medals. Nigeria did not win any medal at the Helsinki and Melbourne Olympics in 1852 and 1956 respectively.
After independence Nigeria gradually shook off the shackles of colonialism and began the process of development in all spheres. The country’s first Olympic medalist was the Light Middleweight Boxer, Nojim Maiyegun who won bronze at the Tokyo 1964 Games.
It was the first ever medal won in an Olympic event as the boxer became the first medalist since Team Nigeria’s first participation at the 1952 summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. It did not win any medal at the Rome Olympics in 1960.
However, the first step towards sports development was the setting up of the National Sports Commission (NSC) in 1963 with Late Pa Abraham Ordia as the Secretary. Unfortunately, the immediate past minister of sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung scrapped the commission and sports are now in the care of persons other than trained sports administrators. The clarion call for the return of the NSC has fallen on deaf ears. Thus, early 1960, Nigeria’s emphasis was on putting up structures for sports development and the first fruits no doubt was the qualification of the then Green Eagles for the Olympic Games held in Mexico in 1968.
Nigeria boycotted the 1962 Commonwealth games in Perth but returned in the 1966 edition held in Kingston, Jamaica and in Edinburgh in 1970 winning five gold, four silver and three bronzes.
As part of efforts to boost its performance at international competitions, the country set up the National Sports Festival (NSF) in 1976 help in the discovery of talents, with the first edition in Lagos attended by over 6000 athletes.
In 1973, Nigeria hosted the second edition of the All Africa Games where it placed second.
In 1976 IICC Shooting Stars became the first club to win the country’s first continental football club trophy by winning Africa Cup of Winners, with Rangers International FC of Enugu retaining the trophy the following year.
The achievements recorded by Shooting Stars and Rangers in continental club football became the tonic for Nigeria’s football achievements, as the senior national team – Green Eagles won gold in 1980 edition of Africa Cup of Nations on home soil when the Christian Chukwu captained Green Eagles defeated the Desert Warriors of Algeria 3-0 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos to lift the continental trophy for the first time.
The feat was followed by another Nations Cup title win in 1984 after the 14-year wait in Tunisia and in the 2013 edition held in South Africa.
Nigeria’s biggest achievement in global football since Independence was in 1985 when the Golden Eaglets beat Germany 2-0 to win the maiden FIFA/KODAK Under-16 championship in China. The Flying Eagles also reached the final of the 1989 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia before losing to Luis Figo inspired Portugal 2-0.
In athletics, Nigeria won her first track and field medal at the Los Angeles Olympics winning bronze in the 4x400m, though failed to win a single medal at the Seoul Games in 1988. Also during this decade, the country won 38 medals – 10 gold, 13 silver and 15 bronze-for taking part in two Commonwealth games in 1982 in Brisbane and Auckland.
Nigeria also won 3 silver and a bronze at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 to announce her potentials in world athletics. At the Atlanta Olympics, the country won its first gold with Chioma Ajunwa’s feat in Long Jump, leaping 7.12m. The Dream Team added gold a day later. In all the country won 2 gold, silver and 3 bronze medals at these Games. Four years later, the country won the 4x400m men’s gold by default after USA team that won the gold was involved in drug. It also won 2 silver in Sydney.
Team Nigeria won the fifth edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1993 in Japan. Nigeria defeated fellow African contenders Ghana by 2-1 in the final.
The Super Eagles also made their first World Cup appearance in the same year in the United States of America (USA), crashing out in the second round. The team also qualified for the 1998 edition in France also crashing out in the second round losing 4-1 to Denmark.
Nigeria has never failed to excel at the Commonwealth Games winning 37 medals-11 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze at the Victoria Games in 1994. Super Falcons qualified for their maiden World Cup crashing out at the group stage after losing all their group games. At the 1995 edition, Falcons also crashed out at the group stage, though they drew a game losing the other two. The team’s World Cup best outing was at the 1999 edition where they reached the quarter-final losing to Brazil by the odd goal in extra time.
But won the women’s AFCON in 1991 retained it in 1995, 1998 and 2000. The team’s maiden Olympics games appearance in 2000 was a huge failure crashing out at the group stage
Although Nigeria has failed to build on the success of Atlanta ’96, the country has recorded other victories in world and continental events like the 2003 All Africa Games she hosted in Abuja and tagged ‘COJA’; the 2007 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in South Korea.
After winning the 2007 U-17 competition play hosted by South Korea, Nigeria became the most successful team at teenage level.
After impressive performance at cadet level, FIFA awarded the hosting rights of the 2009 U-17 World Cup to the nation’s highest football governing body and tournament was successfully staged.
The country won 19 medals-5 gold, 3 silver, 11 bronze- at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002. Also 2006 in Melbourne, 17 medals-4 gold, 6 silver and 7 bronze-were won. In Delhi in 2010 Nigeria won 11 gold, 8 silver and 14 bronze medals.
At Athens Olympics, only 2 bronze medals were won while Beijing Olympics produced 3 silver and 2 bronze.
Nigeria crashed out at the group stage of the 2002 World Cup co-hosted by South Korea/Japan. The team failed to qualify for the 2006 edition in Germany. It made up by qualifying for the first World Cup on Africa soil-South Africa- crashing out at the group stage.
In 2003 Super Falcons crashed out at the group stage of the FIFA World Cup with the same fate also befalling them in 2007. It was the same sad story failing to go past the group stage at the Athens Olympics and the Beijing Olympics. But they made up by retaining the CAF Women’s championship in 2002, 2004, 2006. They lost for the first time in 2008 placing third while they won the trophy in 2010.
Nigeria won the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the fourth time in 2013 edition in The United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In 2015, Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers won the AfroBasket Championships for the first time, thus becoming Africa Champions for the first time after failing on several, as the Olumide Oyedeji captained side defeated Angola in the final to win the competition and got automatic qualification spot at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.
At the 2017 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket championships in Bamako, D’Tigress were third time winners of the championships played in Bamako, Mali. The Nigerian team won all six fixtures in the competition including the 65-48 victory against Senegal in the final.
Aruna Quadri competed for Nigeria in the table tennis event at the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympics, reaching the quarterfinals in the latter competition. At the World Cup 2014, he reached the quarterfinals in the Men’s Singles competition.
Aruna competed in the 2017 ITTF African-Cup, qualifying for the quarterfinals where he defeated Algerias Naim Karali (4-1). In the semifinals, Aruna defeated Egyptian player Mohamed El-beiali (4-3), qualifying for the finals. In the Finals, Aruna played and defeated long-time rival Omar Assar in a close match (4-3). Aruna won the event, and become the 2017 African-Cup Champion.
Quadri competed in the World Championships seeded as number 30. He defeated Chilean player Gustavo Gómez (4-0). He was defeated in the second round by Danish player and number 34 seed, Jonathan Groth.
He competed in the 2018 ITTF African-Cup, placing first in group 2, allowing him to qualify for the Quarter Finals. In the Quarter Finals, Aruna defeated Derek Abrefa (4-0). In the semifinals, he defeated Ahmed Saleh (4-1), allowing him to advance to the finals of the African-Cup.
In 2014, FIFA suspended Nigeria from international football, citing government interference in the running of its national federation.
The emergency committee of the world governing body said the blanket ban would no Nigerian team, including club sides, can play in regional, continental or international competitions.
In the wake of Nigeria’s exit to France at the last 16 of the World Cup, the high court of the West African country ruled that its federation would cease to run the national team, handing over the role to a government civil servant.
This is in breach of FIFA rules that obliges member associations to manage their own affairs “independently and with no influence from third parties,” it said in a statement.
Stephen Keshi, the coach of the African champions, resigned the day after the 2-0 defeat, after leading the Super Eagles out of the group stages of the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
In 2016, the country’s sports authorities banned eight athletes for doping, four of them gold-medal winners and one a silver medalist at the All Africa Games 2015.
Long jumpers Chinazom Amadi and Samson Idiata, weightlifter Elisabeth Onua and wrestler Patience Opuene were all banned following failed drug tests at the games in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, in September, where they won gold.
Wrestling silver medalist Ebi James Igbadiwei was also suspended.
The three other athletes – sprinter Deborah Odeyemi and para-athletes Sunday Ezeh and Thomas Kure, failed tests in Nigeria. Odeyemi was part of Team Nigeria’s women’s 4 x 100-meter relay team at the 2015 world championships.
Last year, a Nigerian Para powerlifter Esther Oyema was banned for four years after she committed an anti-doping rule violation. Oyema, who won gold at London 2012 in the women’s up to 48kg, returned an adverse analytical finding for a prohibited substance in a urine sample provided on 28 January 2019 after competing at the Lagos 2019 International Para Powerlifting Competition in Nigeria.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will spend the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year days in Kuje prison, Abuja, following refusal of his bail application by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Justice Maryann Anenih yesterday adjourned the case until Jan.
29, Feb. 25, and Feb. 27, 2025 for the continuation of the hearing.The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an N110 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Anenih had refused to grant a bail application filed by Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.
The judge admitted Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, to bail in the sum of N 300 million each with two sureties.
Justice Anenih, while delivering a ruling said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on Nov. 22.
“The 1st Defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the Defendant’s Counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.
Opposing the bail application, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the instant application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.
He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but the 1st Defendant’s Counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority
“That says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing.”
Justice Anenih held that the instant application for bail showed that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
Citing the ACJA, the judge said the provision provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.
Bello had filed an application for his bail on November 22 but was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on Nov. 27.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Association (CONAECDA) has called on the federal government to intensify efforts in the resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral homes.
The organization made this call at the end of its conference held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital weekend.
Thirty resolutions were passed covering security, economy, politics, governance, culture, languages, human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights among others.
The Conference President, Samuel Achie and Secretary Suleman Sukukum in a communique noted that the conference received and discussed reports from communities based on which resolutions were reached on securing, reconstruction, rehabilitation and returning communities displaced by violence across the Middle Belt.
“After considering the reports from communities displaced by violent conflicts, conference resolved, and called on government to focus on providing security to deter further displacements.
“Call on government to provide security to enable communities to return. Government and donor partners should assist in reconstructing and returning displaced communities,” the communique stated.
The GOC 3 Armoured Division Nigeria Army represented by Lt Col Abdullahi Mohammed said the Nigerian Army is committed to working closely with communities to achieve a crime-free society, urging communities to support them with credible information.
“Security is a collective effort, and we cannot do it alone, the community plays a crucial role in ensuring safety.
“We urge everyone here not to shield or protect individuals involved in criminal activities. Transparency and collaboration, together, with maximum cooperation, we can achieve peace, security, and prosperity for our society,” the GOC stated.
The National Coordinator of CONECDA, Dr. Zuwaghu Bonat in his address at the gathering noted that the theme of this year’s program, Returning, Resettling, and Rehabilitating Displaced Communities, was chosen as a wakeup call on the federal government.
He maintained that the organization is aware that President Bola Tinubu has expressed a commitment to ensuring that displaced communities return to their ancestral lands.
He said similarly, some state governments, including Plateau State, have set up committees to address the lingering matter.
The coordinator however cautioned, “It is critical that we avoid generalizations or profiling. For instance, Not all Muslims are involved in terrorism. The overwhelming majority of Muslims in Nigeria are peaceful and reject extremist ideologies.
“We also know that some terrorists exploit religion to mobilize support or rationalize their actions. However, their atrocities – slaughtering women, cutting open pregnant mothers, and killing children show a profound disregard for humanity and God. Normal human beings would not commit such acts.
“We must also be cautious about lumping banditry with terrorism. While statistics indicate that many bandits and kidnappers may share similar ethnic backgrounds, kidnapping has now evolved into a profit-driven enterprise. This distinction is vital to address the root causes effectively,” he stated.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Middle Belt Nationalities, Hon Daniel Kwada noted that the conference was apt to addressed the various underlying issues bedeviling the region and its people.
“We in the Middle Belt have long been standing at the crossroads of Nigeria’s complex history. Despite our tireless efforts to stabilize this nation, we have faced immense challenges, including underdevelopment, security issues, and marginalization.
“Often, we are unfairly maligned, but gatherings like this offer a chance to change the narrative.
“Such conferences set the tone for better discussions. They allow us to drive processes that bring development, ensure security, and elevate our people to greater heights,” Mutfwang noted.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on banks to reinforce their corporate governance principles and risk management frameworks to boost investor confidence during the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.
Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, SEC, said this at the yearly workshop of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) held in Lagos.
The theme of the workshop is: “Recapitalisation: Bridging the Gap between Investors and Issuers in the Nigerian Capital Market”.
Agama, represented by the Divisional Head of Legal and Enforcement at the SEC, Mr John Achile, stated that the 2024–2026 banking sector recapitalisation framework offers clear guidance for issuers while prioritising the protection of investors’ interests
He restated the commission’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in the recapitalisation process.
The director-general stated that the key to bridging the gap between issuers and investors remained the harnessing of innovation for inclusive growth.
In view of this, Agama said, “SEC, through the aid of digital platform, is exploring the integration of blockchain technology for secure and transparent transaction processing to redefine trust in the market.”
He added that the oversubscription of most recapitalisation offers in 2024 reflects strong investor confidence.
To sustain this momentum, the director-general said that SEC had intensified efforts to enhance disclosure standards and corporate governance practices.
According to him, expanding financial literacy campaigns and collaborating with fintech companies to provide low-entry investment options will democratise access to the capital market.
He assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfastness in achieving its mission of creating an enabling environment for seamless and transparent capital formation.
“Our efforts are anchored on providing issuers with clear guidelines and maintaining open lines of communication with all market stakeholders, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks through digitalisation.
“We also ensure timely review and approval of applications, and enhancing regulatory oversight to protect investors while promoting market integrity,” he added.
Agama listed constraints to the exercise to include: addressing market volatility, systemic risks, limited retail participation as well as combating skepticism among investors who demand greater transparency and accountability.
He said: “We are equally presented with opportunities which include leveraging technology to deepen financial inclusion and enhance market liquidity.
“It also involves developing innovative financial products, such as green bonds and sukuk, to attract diverse investor segments.
“The success of recapitalisation efforts depends on collaboration among regulators, issuers, and investors.”
Speaking on market infrastructure at the panel session, Achile said SEC provides oversight to every operations in the market, ranging from technology innovations to market.
He stated that the commission is committed to transparency and being mindful of the benefits and risks associated with technology adoption.
Achile noted that SEC does due diligence to all the innovative ideas that comes into the market to ensure adequate compliance with the requirements.
On the rising unclaimed dividend figure, Achile blamed the inability of investors to comply with regulatory requirements and information gap.
He noted that SEC had done everything within its powers to ensure that investors receive their dividend at the appropriate time.
He, however, assured that the commission would continue to strengthen its dual role of market regulation and investor protection to boost confidence in the market.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of CAMCAN, Mrs Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma, said banks’ recapitalisation is not just a regulatory requirement, but an opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen the capital market, and drive sustainable growth.
Joel-Nwokeoma stated that the recent recapitalisation in the banking sector had brought to the fore the need for a more robust and inclusive capital market.
She added that as banks seek to strengthen their balance sheets and improve their capital adequacy ratios, it is imperative to create an environment that fosters trust, transparency, and cooperation between investors and issuers.
The chairman called for collaboration to bridge the gap between investors and issuers to create a more inclusive and vibrant Nigerian capital market.She said: “we must work together to strengthen corporate governance and risk management practices in banks, enhance disclosure and transparency requirements for issuers.” NAN
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