By

Olaosebikan Oluwole

In any society, the currency of lies often holds fleeting value, yet when left unchecked, it can harden into a counterfeit truth. Such is the peril of unchallenged falsehoods—a concern raised by a venerable senior who, with conviction, insisted that “a lie allowed to fester gradually assumes the garb of truth.”

I write this piece not to fuel unnecessary discourse but to clear the air on a campaign of calumny against Dr Ademola Olajire which I have observed with increasing dismay. At no point did he publicly declare an intention or ambition to become the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Yet, somehow, shadows have conjured demons, and some individuals appear paralyzed by their own imaginations, fabricating a storm in which he was allegedly at the center.

The catalyst for this response is a piece written recently titled Visionary Communicator. While the writer crafted his thoughts without my prior consultation, they inadvertently added fuel to an already smoldering narrative. To the writer’s credit, his work was free of aspersions or innuendos, focused instead on recognizing strengths and potential. This stands in stark contrast to the vitriol he has endured from some quarters, whose preoccupation appears to be manufacturing baseless attacks against Dr Ademola Olajire.

If we are to assume, hypothetically, that he harbored aspirations for an office (an office that is not even vacant), the natural focus should be on the qualities and vision of any candidate vying for that role. Yet, rather than fostering constructive discourse, certain individuals have resorted to tearing down a personality they imagine to be a threat. This is not just unproductive but a disservice to the ideals of fair competition and meritocracy.

Let us address the lies and distortions one by one.

1. “Sports Officer” – Misconceptions and Laughable Assertions

The term “Sports Officer” has been used dismissively in some corners to undermine his credentials. Yet, one wonders: what exactly does a sports officer look like? And what qualifies someone to be regarded as such?

He has spent over 32 years writing about sports and an additional 17 and a half years administering sports. His contributions are not theoretical; they are grounded in a career built on expertise, passion, and results. To dismiss this as anything less is not only a joke but an affront to the industry he has served diligently.

2. The Usual Baloney and Fact-Mangling

Much of the opposition he has encountered are littered with inaccuracies and outright fabrications. For instance, some individuals make claims that are easily refuted by documented records. It is curious that in the age of instant access to information, so little effort is made to verify facts before peddling them.

3. Mediocrity as a Weaponized Accusation

“Mediocre” is a term that has been recklessly thrown my way. But mediocrity does not describe someone who, at 26, was one of the youngest Nigerian journalists to cover the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994. Mediocrity does not align with a career that has included attendance at six FIFA World Cup finals, 12 AFCON finals, and three Olympic Games. Nor does it fit a profile that includes advanced certifications from prestigious institutions like Wits Business School. If these accomplishments are mediocre, I shudder to imagine the standard these critics aspire to.

4. Verifiable Credentials: Countering the Online Certificate Narrative

There has also been an attempt to diminish his educational and professional credentials, with insinuations about the validity of certain certifications. Let me be unequivocal: every certificate he hold is verifiable and open to scrutiny. His academic journey—from earning a B.Sc. in Mass Communication to pursuing a Ph.D.—is well-documented and entirely consistent with professional growth.

5. False Claims About Recruitment and Age

One of the most egregious claims is the assertion that he falsified his age. This accusation is not just false but absurd. For context, he joined the civil service in 2007, yet the supposed age alteration is alleged to have occurred in 2011—four years after his recruitment. Moreover, his first international passport, issued in 1993, contains the same date of birth.

Desperate people often resort to desperate measures, but it is perplexing that such accusations have been made without a single shred of evidence. Those who propagate these lies should produce the documents they claim exist, or else admit the baselessness of their allegations.

6. Misguided and Puerile Questions

Certain detractors have posed questions so devoid of substance that they barely warrant acknowledgment. One such question implies that a civil servant could forget having documents with Federal Government agencies. Such insinuations lack both logic and maturity, further illustrating the desperation of these critics.

7. A Journalist’s Proud Legacy

At the core of this smear campaign lies an attempt to tarnish my identity as a journalist. Let me state this clearly: He is a journalist, and takes immense pride in that identity. Journalism has produced some of the finest leaders in history, including Benjamin Franklin, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Lateef Jakande, and many others.

These men, like me, understood the power of words and the importance of accountability. His career in journalism has always been about informing, educating, and inspiring—not tearing down others or resorting to petty politics.

8. Responding to Drivel and Codswallop

The terms “drivel,” “bunkum,” and “codswallop” aptly describe the quality of much of the criticism he have faced. These detractors have abandoned reason, relying instead on baseless conjecture and personal attacks. But he refuse to stoop to their level. The truth, when presented plainly, is sufficient to expose their falsehoods.

9. The Role of Desperation in Mudslinging

Desperation is a fire that consumes its bearer. Those who are “foaming” at the mouth with these accusations seem motivated by fear rather than principle. Their inordinate desire for power has blinded them to the ideals of fairness and respect. But as history has shown, power obtained through deceit is both hollow and short-lived.

10. The Path Forward: Constructive Engagement

Rather than wallowing in the muck of baseless allegations, we must strive for constructive engagement. If indeed there is a vacancy or an opportunity for leadership, let the discourse center on qualifications, vision, and values. Character assassination serves no one and ultimately weakens the institutions we seek to serve.

11. Only God Gives Position

Finally, it bears repeating that no man can bestow upon himself a position of leadership. Leadership is both a calling and a responsibility, entrusted by a higher power and affirmed by the will of the people.

He harbor no desperation for office, and no intention of engaging further in this needless skirmish. The truth is its own defense, and I am confident that history will vindicate him.

To those who have orchestrated this campaign against Olajire says this: your efforts are in vain. Lies may travel far, but they cannot outrun the truth. And to those who believe in fairness and accountability, let us work together to build a society where merit, integrity, and vision are celebrated above pettiness and deceit.

The road ahead is long, but the journey is worth it. For, in the end, it is not the noise of detractors but the clarity of purpose that shapes the future.

Only God gives position. Let the desperate continue to burn in the fire of their desires, for it is through patience and principle that true leadership emerges.