…We Will Restore Dignity Of Nigerian Football-Sports Minister 

By Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government on Thursday set up a panel to investigate the vandalism of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja after Tuesday’s 2022 World Cup playoff between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana.

 It will be recalled that irate fans went on rampage, destroying all within their sight after the game which ended in a 1-1 draw which put paid to the nation’s aspirations to be part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar later this year.

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the Minister of youth and sports development Mr Sunday Dare described the acts of vandalism as saddening and unacceptable.

He expressed that, FG will not be seating and watch facilities built with taxpayers money be destroyed by unpatriotic Nigerians.

According to him, the Committee will invite all the security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police assigned to provide security for the match to give account on the number of arrest made in respect of the incident that happened at the stadium and to provide details of their investigation and prosecution, if any

“The Committee will visit the stadium to get first-hand information and evaluate the level of destruction in order to come up with a verifiable report accordingly.

“The Term of references include; Immediate and remote causes of the incident; determine the extent of destruction; investigate the role of the security agencies; identify the culprits v. Identification of the victims; Make recommendations on How to prevent future occurrence, Immediate and remote causes of the incident as well Make recommendations on how to prevent future occurrence.

“Nigerians must stop destroying Government property. Anyone identified to be culpable in acts of vandalism at the national stadium will be prosecuted by the Federal Government. This must stop. The willful destruction of Government property across the country is unacceptable and must be condemned. While the failure to qualify is regrettable, the destruction is unacceptable and unjustified.”

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However, the Minister said the committee has two weeks to submit its findings.

Also, Mr Dare condemned the quantum of destruction and vandalization of the newly refurbished Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja during the match. 

Reacting to the failure of Super Eagles to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, Sports, on Thursday the Minister said, It is most unfortunate and regrettable that we are not going to Qatar. 

He said: “I understand the unhappiness that followed our non-qualification for Qatar 2022.

“We take responsibility. We will rebuild and thank the Super Eagles players for their service. Our apologies as a Football administration ecosystem go out to fans who struggled to make it to their appropriate seating positions. 

“The Nigerians that did this must be punished.”

In his remark, chairman of the committee, Retired DIG Sanni Usman said it’s a serious national assignment  on behalf of the committee. We will do our best , we will be loyal and diligent and turn in a good report that Nigerians will be proud of.

 Members include, Dr. Henry Nzekwu – Vice Chairman, Retired Navy Commodore Omatseye,  Alhaji Abba Yola, Dr. Simon Ebhojiaye, Director Federations and Elite Athletes Department of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Others include, Mrs. Tayo Oreweme, Mr. Mitchell Obi, Representative of the Director-General, Department of State Security (DSS), Olumide Bamiduro of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports will serve as secretary.