By Uzor Odigbo
Sports entrepreneur and former Gombe United FC Chairman, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, has said only administrators with skeletons in their cupboards are enlisting radio and television stations to block him from expressing his views on sports development in Nigeria.
In a chat with some journalists recently, Gara-Gombe noted that on several occasions he has been barred from expressing his views over major developments and appointments in Nigeria sports in Radio and Television Stations in Nigeria.
“All sports stakeholders and those who appreciate my modest contributions in Nigeria sports, especially trying to always put sports administrators and managers on their toes. I advise them not to worry as many people have been calling me, sending messages to my friends and close associates asking why I have been quiet about the reintroduction of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the managers.”
The Chairman Gombe State Athletics Association also reacted to rumours that he had pulled out of the sports business and administration.
“There’s nothing to worry about as my silence is deliberate, I’m still in sports, and people are saying I’ve quit sports, but I’m not out of sports for now.
“Because there’s no way I can afford to sleep because certain people who I have differences with about how they managed our sports in the past are now in charge of sports in the country. The Nigeria Constitution has given me and all of us the right to participate in lawful activities in the country, in this case, including sports. So, my silence is deliberate, I will talk at the right time.”
On his travails with a few Television and Radio stations in Nigeria, he said, “I would like to say clearly that in the last few weeks, I was barred from featuring on four national television and Radio stations, even a few Newspapers to express my opinion and discuss the newly introduced National Sports Commission (NSC) by the federal government.
“The disturbing part is that those who blocked me using proxies have no idea of what I want to talk about, I don’t know what they are afraid of or why they don’t want me to express my right and opinion as guaranteed by law. I don’t see why they should be afraid. If they feel comfortable with their past or who they are, why must they go about blocking me?
“There was this station, one hour before a scheduled interview, they called me to say my air time (interview) had been paid for. However, I know about Television production, one can’t come two hours to production to tell me my air time has been paid for. It doesn’t show the integrity of the media, however, I don’t own a TV or a Radio station, but I own a newspaper and I would continue to raise my voice on issues I feel are in the best interest of the Nigerian public.
“The intriguing side of it is that they don’t have an idea of what I want to say whether or not it’s in their favour. So, because people that have skeletons never wanted the biology teacher to handle a topic on anatomy.”
He assured all sports stakeholders and those who still have confidence and believe in his contribution to sports in Nigeria to remain calm.
“I’m very much around, concerned and will pursue swift and talk about credible sports development in Nigeria without fear or favour. Currently, I am. outside the country, I can also talk from anywhere around the globe, for now, I am busy to start commenting on issues Nigerians are already aware of, but at the appropriate time, no individual or group can cover the sun or the moon with two hands. My detractors forgot that Social media is also available to me to air my views. At the end of the day, the national interest shall prevail.
Nigeria is bigger and greater than any individual or cabal that wants to hold down Nigerian sports. Profiteering from it in the last 20 to 25 years must stop,” he said.
On the Panel set up by the former Minister of Sports John Enoh Gara- Gombe said as far as he is concerned, the 7 man committee didn’t do a good job.
“They left many issues untouched. They didn’t talk about finances and also refused to investigate the AFN on why certain things happened. I see no reason the panel didn’t indict the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC). They also refused to indict the former Minister, and Ministry officials in areas concerning how the over N24 billion Olympic funds was managed.
“The investigative Committee under Dr. Mumuni Alao is someone i have deep regards for, honestly, in my opinion they didn’t do a good job.
The panel’s job was not thorough. There are areas left untouched. They may claim the issue was not in their terms of reference. However, there should be a total investigation into all Olympic activities of the Sports Ministry.
“There are other federations that have their own share of scandal. I don’t know why AFN was the only one targeted in the Panel reports. This is very wrong.
“I am aware of a coach who was accredited as an Olympic delegate with a fake licence.
This fake licence was discovered in Paris which was a huge embarrassment to Nigeria. Nobody investigated or mentioned it anywhere.
“What about the borrowed bicycle, nothing was done or investigations carried out. It was swept under the carpet.
I still can’t reconcile why only AFN was profiled while others got wavers.
“I’m not saying those indicted in AFN were innocent, but what about other federation officials?
I am not sure any of the panel members attended the Paris Olympics. So, why appoint them? That is why their job was not thorough as many things got covered up. The man (Sports Minister) who would have been investigated is now hiding in another ministry, What a terrific abberation,” Gombe said.
