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By Omogbolahan Babs
Ask me about a man with no religious dogmatism, I will point to you Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Prod me and ask from me a man with no blood for tribal chauvinism, I will proudly show you the son of Iyaloja who also doubles at the father of Iyaloja – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If there is any political figure whom I have studied very closely with no iota of religious cum tribal idiosyncrasy, then, I will tell you and anyone that no one rivals the former Lagos State honcho and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom. This is no fiction but a statement of fact that is opened to any debate. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has proven this time and time again that he is one man with no tribe or religion when it comes to his relationship with people.
It is not controvertible that the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket-bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a practising Muslim. However, a careful study of his lifestyle will lend credence to the undeniable fact that he has never allowed his religious credo determine his relationship with people who have/had come across him in their life sojourn. He probably must have learnt that from the teachings of the Prophet of Islam who admonished his adherents to always relate with people in the best of manners regardless of their creed, belief and/or faith. Aside the fact that the wife of the most-talked-about juggernaut in political circles in today’s Nigeria is a staunch Christian, he never appointed anyone who worked or is working with and for him based on religious chauvinism or based on such individual’s religious ideology. His records are there for public scrutiny.
If there is any personage in the country’s political history in half a century that is devoid of tribal or ethnic jingoism, nobody comes near Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Asiwaju is one man who gives preference for competence and capability (to deliver on schedules) over the ethnic or tribal background of the would-be subordinate. He cares less of your tongue or your nationality before he considers you for an appointment. Do you have what it takes to deliver? Are you a go-getter? If your answers to these simple questions are in the affirmative, then, you are good to go with the man succinctly described as ‘Aṣíwájú of Nigeria’ by the richest black man on earth, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. A further look at his cabinet when he was the numero uno in Lagos will readily affirm this pontification. Nigerians from across the ethnic divides of the country were represented in his administration.
Asiwaju is one man who singlehandedly registered a political party, financed same party and would call on another man from a different ethnic nationality (not once) to come fly its presidential ticket. This shows nothing but the true personage of this selfless man cosmopolitan as the Jagaban Borgu within the political circle. Like the major religious doctrines preach, Asiwaju is one man who believes strongly in the fallibility of man. He believes anyone can make mistakes. And this is why long before disappointments from his subordinates or trusted political associates, he already planned for forgiveness. Such an enigma is a very rare creation in the life of a nation. A nation with the caliber of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed is a nation that is blessed beyond viva voce only if such a country can take advantage of such benison.
It is indeed the wish of the undersigned and many Progressive-minded Nigerians that the country will take the advantage of the moment and give Nigeria’s inarguably greatest political generalissimo a chance to re-tool the country and propel her to greatness beyond what the mind can conceive.
The problem with football administration in Nigeria is that the present claimants to the headship of a football body are manifestly dishonest. Why do I say so? I say so because there is no such body known as the Nigerian Football Federation. The Court said so in 2012. Their reliance on FIFA to bring them to being is hollow. It is short-ended. FIFA does not create administrative bodies in Football playing nations. FIFA works with Football administering bodies.
Presently, FIFA is trying to operate outside its brief. This might, if not checked, slip into criminal issues.
There is the NFA Act. The Act provides for the body to administer football in Nigeria. It is not the Nigerian Football Federation.
Notable Facts: the court of arbitration for sports,CAS is a quasi judicial body whose headquarters is in lausanne and has it’s courts in New York, Sydney and lausanne.worthy of note, as a Swiss based arbitration organization it’s decisions can be appealed to the Supreme court of Switzerland.FIFA and other international sporting organizations preach for all countries to have its own internal Alternative Dispute Resolution ADC(Arbitration) to resolve sports issues .However FIFA and other international sporting organizations acknowledge that decisions of these Arbitration just like that of CAS can be appealed at the Swiss Supreme court , can be appealed at the countries’ Supreme court .Is it therefore not an irony some persons are making Nigerians to believe that FIFA laws should be more prioritised to the Verdict of Nigeria supreme Court on the Nff lingering crises.Just for our thinking and not for our emotions.