Opinion

Time for Uncle JOE to Show Courage and Fight Corruption in Sports

Published

2 years ago

January 2, 2024

By Sylvanus Ofekun

The groanings and the passionate appeals from sports stakeholders to the Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh to act on the AFN’s audit committee to save image of Sports in Nigeria is gathering momentum.

The audit committee which was set up by the executive board of the federation pursuant to article 14.3.3 of the 2023 AFN constitution as amended, to probe the finances of the federation between January and September, 2023 recommended the redeployment of the Secretary General. The audit committee report revealed how the AFN Secretary General carried out expenditures on behalf of the federation without budgets and approvals which is a violation of article 24.1 of the 2023 AFN constitution as amended.

The report also recommended that the Secretary General should refund all monies she spent without approvals and evidence of payments following her refusal to furnish the committee with the necessary documents relating to the expenditures. On AFN President,Tonobok Okowa, the report recommended he should return to the AFN the N40m he took from the sponsorship fee paid by Premium Trust Bank.

Unfortunately, the Minister has maintained a taciturn posture, signaling an endorsement to the reckless adventures by those indicted in the audit report.The Nigeria Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, must show courage in fighting corruption in sports for several compelling reasons.

Firstly, corruption in sports undermines the integrity and fairness of the game. It erodes public trust and confidence in the sports sector and hampers the development of talented athletes. By taking a firm stance against corruption, Senator John Owan Enoh can restore faith in Nigerian sports and ensure that athletes have equal opportunities to excel based on their skills and hard work.

Secondly, corruption in sports diverts valuable resources that could be used for infrastructure development, athlete training, and grassroots programs. Funds meant for the improvement of sports facilities and the development of young talents are often siphoned off by corrupt individuals, leaving Nigerian sports in a state of neglect and underinvestment. Senator Enoh’s commitment to fighting corruption will ensure that these resources are utilized properly, leading to improved facilities, better training programs, and increased sporting achievements.

Furthermore, corruption in sports perpetuates a culture of dishonesty and unethical behavior. It sets a bad example for young athletes who may think that success can be achieved through deceit and cheating. By cracking down on corruption, Senator Enoh can instill a culture of integrity and fair play within the sports community, providing a positive role model for aspiring athletes and fostering a more ethical sports environment.

Additionally, corruption in sports has negative implications for Nigeria’s international reputation. The country’s sporting achievements are often marred by scandals and allegations of corruption, which diminishes its standing in the global sports community. By actively combating corruption, Senator Enoh can restore Nigeria’s credibility and enhance its image as a nation committed to upholding integrity in sports.

Lastly, corruption in sports impacts the livelihoods of athletes and sports professionals. Unscrupulous practices such as match-fixing, bribery, and embezzlement can deprive athletes of the opportunities and rewards they rightfully deserve. Senator Enoh’s efforts to fight corruption will ensure that athletes are fairly compensated for their hard work, talent, and dedication, creating a more equitable and sustainable sports system in Nigeria.

In conclusion, Senator John Owan Enoh must exhibit courage in fighting corruption in sports for the sake of integrity, fairness, development, reputation, and the well-being of athletes. By taking a strong stand against corruption, he can restore public trust, allocate resources effectively, create a culture of integrity, enhance Nigeria’s international standing, and protect the rights of athletes.

It is imperative that Senator Enoh demonstrates the necessary determination and resolve to tackle corruption head-on and usher in a new era of transparency and accountability in Nigerian sports.

sleekysly5@gmail.com                                                                                               .

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Opinion

Homeland Security or Homeland Patronage?

Published

1 day ago

May 14, 2026

The Gleamer

…Nigeria Cannot Keep Inventing Offices to Avoid Real Reform

By Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi

Nigeria awoke recently to the announcement of a new political creation: the Special Adviser on Homeland Security. Predictably, the cheerleaders of the administration—the “City Boys”, the “Renewed Hope” chorus, and the usual orbit of political loyalists—erupted in celebration. To hear them tell it, this single appointment is the longawaited masterstroke that will end kidnapping, banditry, insurgency, and terrorism.

If only governance were that easy.
Nigeria’s insecurity crisis is not a problem of insufficient titles. It is a problem of insufficient political will. And no number of new offices, however grandly named, can substitute for leadership that is ready to confront the roots of our national decay.

The Real Question: What Is Wrong With What We Already Have?

Before we applaud another bureaucratic invention, we must ask:
Why are the existing security structures failing? Is it a lack of capacity? A lack of coordination? Or a lack of sincerity at the highest levels?

Creating a new “Homeland Security” office without fixing the rot in the current system is like building a new roof on a house with collapsing foundations. It may look impressive, but it solves nothing.

Nigeria’s Endless Cycle of Cosmetic Reforms

We have seen this pattern before. From the era of military rule to the present civilian administrations, Nigerians have been told that privatization, concessioning, and PPPs were the magic keys to prosperity. Instead, national assets were sold to political insiders at giveaway prices, often financed with public funds. The result?

*Electricity worse than it was in the 1970s

*Roads that endanger rather than connect

*Schools and hospitals in states of abandonment

More recently, fuel subsidy removal, naira depreciation, aggressive borrowing, and new tax regimes have produced predictable outcomes: rising poverty, millions of outofschool children, and a healthcare system out of reach for ordinary citizens.

These are not reforms. They are rituals—performed for applause, not for impact.

Copying Foreign Models Without Local Understanding

Some argue that the United States and United Kingdom have Departments of Homeland Security, so Nigeria must follow suit. But this comparison is shallow. Nigeria already has a functional equivalent: the Ministry of Interior.
What we lack is not structure.
What we lack is competence, independence, and accountability.

Recruiting the right people—and allowing them to work without political interference—would do far more for national security than multiplying offices to reward political allies.

When Governance Becomes Patronage

A nation begins to fail when public institutions forget their purpose. Today, many Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have been reduced to distribution centres for rice, wrappers, and handouts. When institutions become charity kiosks, the system collapses—and no new adviser or special assistant can rescue it.

Nigeria Deserves More Than Symbolism

Nigeria cannot continue inflating the cost of governance while deflating the dignity of governance. We cannot keep inventing new offices to mask old failures. What the country needs is not another adviser. It needs courage. It needs sincerity. It needs leadership that values results over rituals.

Until then, every new appointment—no matter how elegantly packaged—will remain what it truly is: Another food for the boys.

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