His passion for Nigerian sports is obvious in everything he does, for those who have met or had something to do with one of Nigeria's finest sports presenter, Sola Rogers, you'll notice that he is passionate about the growth of Nigerian sports.
The graphic designer whose core
business is branding presents the NewFanZone on City 1051fm every Saturday at 2:00pm and also co-present Soccertrips with Yomi Opakunle on LTV every Saturday at 12:30pm.
Sola Rogers who said sports presentation is his passion shared his view with SL10 as he takes a closer look at the FIFA hammer on Nigeria, the drama after the 2010 World Cup, NFF election and interesting happenings within Nigeria football.
In 2010 after the Super Eagles crashed out of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa the President of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan threatened to withdraw the team from all international competition for a period of 2 years.
Arguments were made for or against the planned self imposed ban and at the end of the day, it was jettisoned.
Then came NFF elections and a new board headed by Aminu Maigari was instituted. the board had several run-ins with different "interest group" notable amongst which was the Jarrett Tenebe group.
Aminu Maigari and his group weathered the storm and seemingly calm returned to the Nigerian football fraternity.
Fast forward to 2014 another Another world cup and NFF election year, and just like "groundhog day" the same scenario seems set to replay it self.
The Super Eagles made it out of the group stages of the 2014 World Cup but lost to France in the round of 16, by two goals to zero (2-0).
Talks of a dispute over bonus started to trickle out of the Camp of the Eagles before the game versus France but this was promptly denied by Media officer of the team Ben Alaiya.
But contrary to the stance of the Media officer of the team, the players actually missed a whole day of training and it had to take the intervention of the President of the Country once again, and Mike Adenuga a renowned Businessman and sports lover to make funds available to the team via the Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo.
And it seems like the final blast of the Whistle was the signal for the Drama to begin.
Coach of the Nigerian side Stephen Keshi revealed that his contract had not been renewed so he was likely going to moved on to "pastures new"
We would recall that Keshi had not had the best of relations with his Bosses the NFF especially when it came to Salaries being payed.
He also had one of his Assistants sacked, and Keshi himself was "queried" by the Federation a few weeks to the 2014 Mundial in Brazil.
Meanwhile the embattled NFF President Aminu Maigari issued a Press release through the Spokesman of the NFF Ademola Olajire thanking the President of the federal republic of Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerians at large.
Meanwhile in what seems like a "poorly written script" a certain Mrs Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote wife of former NFF board member (Rumson Baribote) who as now been banned from all football activities by the Maigari led board.
Baribote through her l, T D Quidon Esq, filed a Suit No PLD/J 342/2014, asking the court to grant an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant, (Alhaji Aminu Miagari) and all the committees and congress of the 1st defendant (the Nigeria Football Federation) from further controlling, commanding or managing the Affairs of the 1st defendant and all football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed in this case.
The Jos based court in granting the Order on Wednesday July 2, 2014 stated “that interim injunction is granted restraining the 2nd Defendant, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, and all other purported members of the Executive Committee and Congress of the 1st Defendant (NFF) from further controlling, commanding or managing the affairs of the 1st defendant and all football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing, and determination of the motion on notice.
the court also mandated the Minister of Sports who also joined in the Suit to
“An order of mandatory injunction is granted compelling the 4th defendant (Minister of Sports) to "appoint a senior members of the civil service in the 1st Defendant (NFF) to command , control and manage the affairs of the said 1st defendant and the football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice in this matter”.
The Sports Minister responded swiftly by appointing Lawrence Longyir Katken as Acting Secretary General of the NFF.
Katken as However gone on to dissolve some committees of the federation and he also appointed an "adviser and heads of departments"
One wonders why an "Acting Secretary General of the NFF would take such actions pending the determination of the Suit before the Jos based court.
Justice Lot had fixed July 11, 2014 for hearing on the Motion on Notice. so why not wait ?
Another niggling question is the convening of the "NFF Congress"
On the 5th of July Notice of an NFF Emergency Congress was circulated. This meeting was convened by Chairman of Chairmen of Nigeria football, Chief Effiong Johnson,
Question here is didn't the Injunction restrain all NFF members from such activities? and isn't this clearly a violation of said injunction?
As it states that that
"interim injunction is granted restraining the 2nd Defendant, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, and all other purported members of the Executive Committee and Congress of the 1st Defendant (NFF) from further controlling, commanding or managing the affairs of the 1st defendant and all football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing, and determination of the motion on notice".
All the Chairmen and Secretaries of the Football Associations of the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja were expected at the meeting.
But we know for a fact that Not all attended or sent delegates.
The lagos FA for instance issued a statement distancing itself from the said NFF 'Emergency Congress"
So how Valid is this Congress?.
While Not holding Brief for Maigari it is clear that the actors of this "theatre of the absurd" are so desperate to Kick him out that they have thrown caution to the winds just to achieve their goals.
Not caring that FIFA has very clear rules surrounding third-party interference in national football federations.
FIFA Emergency Committee decided to suspend the NFF from all international competition on Wednesday July the 9th.
According to a statement released on FIFA's website, this suspension would not be lifted until "the court actions have been withdrawn," which could lead to the Nigeria Under-20 women's team missing out on the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in August:
The FIFA Emergency Committee has decided today, 9 July 2014, to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect, on account of government interference. Article 13, par. 1 and article 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.
The suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their affairs. As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact.
A few hours before this statement was released by FIFA Ademola Olajire Spokesman of the NFF had issued a statement debunking news of Nigeria Suspension by FIFA.
But now that the nation has been plunged into this disgraceful situation one can only but pray that the main "dramatis personae" would think of a befitting end to this unnecessary distraction.
It would be unfair for the Falconets to miss out on their chance to represent their fatherland after putting in some much to get to this stage.
We must not forget also that the AFCON qualifiers are due to start in a few months time and it would not be nice for us to miss a chance to defend our Trophy.
It happened under the then military regime when we pulled out of the Nations Cup and we hope that history would not repeat itself.
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