Football lovers in Nigeria have requested
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, to buy into
one of the local league clubs in order to help
the growth of soccer in the country.
According to some of them, all that some of the
clubs need are massive injection of funds to
help them to grow like some in the developed
leagues such as the English league.
Some of the fans made the plea against the
backdrop of Mr. Dangote’s latest interest in
buying into Arsenal FC of London.
Mr. Dangote was said to have, in 2010, made a
futile attempt to buy Lady Nina Bracewell-
Smith’s 15.9 per cent stake in the London club.
Recently too, he was reported to have made
another bid that had also been turned down.
Undaunted, he was said to have even vowed to
make another offer they might not turn down.
However, fans said they were mindful that he
had the resources to do so, going by reports in
the American Forbes Magazine that put his
fortunes at around $3.3 billion (about 2.18
billion pounds).
Even though many acknowledged his bid for
Arsenal take over are legitimate as a
businessman out to invest for profit but insist
that corporate social responsibility demanded
he should also invest in Nigeria, where he made
the bulk of his fortunes.
Arsenal was founded in 1886 (129 years ago)
and currently valued at 1.3 billion pounds as at
May 2015. An American, Stan Kroenke is the
largest shareholder with 41, 574 shares (66.82
per cent) in the club.
A former Green Eagles Coach, Adegboye
Onigbinde, said, “For him not to think of our
league shows that something is terribly wrong.
“We do not have a structure. In fact going by
FIFA regulations, none of our clubs has met the
required standards of a club that a person like
Dangote could have owned.”
He, however, said the proposal by the
businessman was a business decision.
“We should not be emotional on that ground,”
Mr. Onigbinde said. “It is only when you bring
in patriotism that it looks morally wrong, but
first and foremost, he is a businessman. And so
is only normal for him to spread his tentacles
wisely.
“Business and sentiments do not mix. If I may
advise, I think what we need more in this
country is someone to back the overhauling of
our grassroots programmes. If Dangote decides
to focus on sports development, the youth of
this country will not forget him because sports
in general are what has brought fame to some
ghetto children.”
Amos Adamu, a former Director-General,
National Sports Commission, said the attitude
of Nigerians do not encourage investors to
finance local clubs.
“It is practical, there are people in Nigeria that
have never been to the stadium to watch the
Nigerian league matches but as businessmen
will naturally align with success,” he said.
“These same people will do anything within
their means to ensure that they watch
international leagues like the Barclays Premier
League and co; they are die-hard supporters of
teams like Arsenal. We are looking at it as
football, but it is business for him, but people
investing in football are doing it to make more
money.
“He has interest and he can make more money
from it so why not, it is purely business no
strings attached. There are certain things you
like in life that makes you happy.”
Felix Owolabi, a former Eagles player, said the
businessman’s intension was based on making
more returns on his investment because of how
lucrative football had become.
“To start with he is a business tycoon that
wants to expand his frontiers,” he said. “So, I
personally have no problems with that, there is
no point bringing elements of morality into
this.”
Ajibola Lagbaja, a soccer enthusiast based in
Akure said that after Mr. Dangote had been able
to put the Nigerian league in world map, then
he could invest in Arsenal.
“I can’t blame him, he is a businessman and he
will ensure that Arsenal gets the best players in
the world,” Mr. Lagbaja said. “But before he
expends on a foreign club, he should start by
helping to develop our league in the country.”
Mayowa Ademoyegun, Personal Assistant to the
Chairman, Ondo State Football Agency said it
would be a good one for Arsenal if Dangote
could invest in it.
“Purchase of Arsenal club by Dangote is a good
one for me as a fan of the club. It will be a
welcome development,” he said.
Tosin Adeyemi, another Akure-based enthusiast
said Dangote should collaborate with the
authorities running the Glo Premier League to
improve it.
Mr. Adeyemi noted that although the profit
might not come immediately as expected, but
that it would be a long term project.
Since inception of Arsenal FC, it has won 13 first
Division Cups and 11 FA cups, and reached the
finals of UEFA Cup in 2000. It was also the first
London team to appear in a UEFA Champions
League final, in 2006.
(NAN)

the should leave him joor. its his choice to buy arsenal