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I am overwhelmed and humbled by the tremendous support that I have received since last Sunday from within and outside Nigeria through phone calls, e-mails and text messages, for my strongly held view that it is counter productive, wrong and unacceptable for us to use over-age, and so ineligible players, in an age-grade tournament such as the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria. I feel reassured that all is not lost in my country. And that despite our unwholesome reputation in international circles as a country of crooks, where dubious practices are the norm and edifying values derided as old-fashioned, there are still many that can be an inspiration for the future.

Let me also acknowledge that I feel privileged to be aware of views that are contrary to mine, even though some of them may be wanting in the realm of civility. At least, by seeing their perspective too, it becomes easier to note areas that may require further elucidation. However, it must be quickly mentioned that our leaders, having swamped us in the last one year or so with slogans of ‘‘rebranding‘‘ Nigeria, have squandered the first real opportunity to reach out to the leaders of tomorrow from across the globe that are now assembled in Nigeria and show them that what Nigeria has to offer tomorrow is better and greater than what has gone before.

I will be glad if we can all be on the same page as that may facilitate communication. Let us look at the heading of this piece, if we may. It talks about letting our children down, and not the children of any other country. The genuine U-17 children that we know are still in secondary school or just passing out of school, and whom we have deprived from participating in a development tournament that FIFA meant for them, by our dishonest use of over-age players are our children. Countries that know what the tournament is all about do not have as much a sense of being cheated by us as of scorn, derision and pity for us. We may beat any of them by as wide a margin as we choose and lift the trophy as often as it pleases us the only thing that may be hurt is their pride. While they go back with the full benefits of not only participating in the tournament, but also preparing for it, we live in the fool‘s paradise of being ‘‘U-17 world champions‘‘ with the hope for a better tomorrow that never materialises.

The only country that has won this tournament as often as we have done is Brazil. But Brazil has also won the one that really counts, the senior World Cup, a record five times and appeared in every World Cup since its introduction in 1930. Conversely, in our own case, in our three appearances we never got to the quarter-finals of any. Interestingly, our only chance of qualifying for the historic 2010 World Cup in South Africa is by the grace of Tunisia, a country that has never won the U-17 tournament and yet has been to the senior World Cup more often than us. As a result, while you can justify Brazil‘s performance at U-17 level the same cannot be said of our own.

You see, the greatest benefit derivable from this tournament is actually the process of preparing for it. That process involves the setting up of structures and facilities to organise local competitions for young teenagers (between say 12 and 15 years old), discovery of talented ones among them, and their professional grooming over a reasonable period so that by the time of the tournament the oldest among them should be just about 17 years old. This process has to be institutionally entrenched to ensure regularity and consistency. In Nigeria, children of that age bracket should still be in secondary school. That is why I have always recommended a synergy of the ministries of sports and education to facilitate the process. As you can imagine, the training programme and local competitions have to take cognisance of the academic calendar.

The point must be made that the men that we have been parading as ‘‘U-17‘‘ are our children too. But they should not deprive our other children that are truly U-17 of their opportunity to develop to the next level. Rather, they should contest for shirts in the more senior teams including the Super Eagles. Maybe, if the likes of Fortune Chukwudi, Abdul Ajagun, Stanley Okoro, Olanrewaju Kayode, and some of the others teamed up with Osaze Odemwingie, we would have a more formidable Super Eagles.

We are fond of playing the ostrich in this country, but we do so very poorly, don‘t we? It is no secret that scores of Nigerian footballers travel to Europe and other parts of the developed world in search of greener pastures. Usually, they don‘t do so when they are very young. Not only that, many of them first register with ‘‘big‘‘ clubs in Nigeria in the hope of enhancing their marketability. As they criss-cross foreign lands their identities are carefully noted. If they don‘t succeed, they may return home. Several years later, they may fake their way into our U-17 team with the full support and encouragement of visionless and greedy sports authorities, to play against the same countries that they may have traversed years earlier. That those countries do not file protests does not mean that they are not aware of the fraud. They may only give us a pitying look and wonder how we can be so short-sighted.

Only about two months ago, it was widely reported that almost the entire U-17 team that we were preparing for this tournament failed MRI tests. So, we had to hurriedly put together another ‘‘U-17‘‘ team. In the world of cable television, internet, and mobile phones, how can we be so deluded as to think that anyone that truthfully says that we have still not beaten our unfortunate habit of cheating is disclosing a secret? Not only that, FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner had credited us with the eighth wonder of the world for finally hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1999. The way this hurriedly put together ‘‘U-17‘‘ team is performing we may not have any rival for the ninth wonder of the world. Never in the history of football have such ‘‘young‘‘ players been transformed into such potential world beaters in so short a time in a country with no credible youth programme! Who do we think we are fooling?

None of my sons is under 17 years of age. So, I am not scheming to give any son of mine an opportunity to play at that level. But I always felt concerned about the inexcusable neglect the critically important age-grade sector has been suffering in our domestic football. That was the main reason I single-handedly put together and coached a feeder team for Sharks of which I was chairman in 2002/03, before the feeder team was taken over by the government.

[b]Let me reiterate unequivocally and unambiguously that the captain of our so-called U-17 team was a member of that team, and that he claimed to be 18 years old at that time. In all humility, as a legal practitioner with over 30 years post-call experience and a man privileged to have been the Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of a state, I will not speak about such a matter in the public domain without being sure of my facts. Only last year, this same player represented Degema LGA of Rivers State, even though he is not from there, in the Governor‘s Cup. And there is documentary evidence kept in a secure place attesting what I have said about him. If our sports authorities had any sense of responsibility or appreciated the seriousness of the matter and were not party to this fraud, instead of running from one media house to another disrespectfully calling me names, what they should have done was to immediately cause an independent body to investigate it. From available evidence it would not have taken more than a few minutes to determine the truth.[/b]

For the avoidance of doubt, I do not have any personal problem with the player. As I have stated, I gave him the opportunity to develop his talent at as early an age as was practicable in the circumstances at absolutely no cost to him or any of the other players in my feeder team. And he was one of the most promising players. I made the programme very intensive (like wanting to make up for lost time), encouraged them to believe in themselves, and treated them like my children. In fact, many fans used to wonder why I would come from the pinnacle of a club to coach a feeder team, rain or shine. But having had that kind of opportunity he should aspire to greater heights and not deny much younger and eligible children their own opportunity. Again, he is not the only ineligible player in the team. And that is why I can boldly say that the MRI scan that the sports authorities are making all the hoo-ha about is a scam, at least to the extent of a thorough screening of the host team, if you get the message. Of course, other teams should be tested too, but what concerns me most is the integrity of our team.

I could not have talked seriously about this player or any of the others earlier because the sports authorities did not give us the opportunity see them play any major friendly matches before the tournament began. And you do not make such a serious allegation without seeing the players whose names you may have only read in the newspaper. Who does not know that as some players falsify their ages so too do they adopt names other than their own. Not that any earlier warning would have meant anything to the sports authorities anyway in view of their publicly acknowledged resolve to cheat in order to realise their win at all cost objective. And as the custodian of players‘ records, the NFA cannot claim not to know the history of its players. Remember the controversial interviews the officials gave early this year confirming that it was official policy to use over-age players?

My first article in SUNDAY PUNCH was at the end of September 2007, soon after we won the 12th edition of the tournament in South Korea. From its heading, Soul searching in Seoul, you do not have to read it to imagine what it was about. Since then, I have written not less than 15 articles on our dishonourable and counter-productive cheating habit. As early as March 9, 2008, that is 21 months ago, in my piece with the heading, We can be so good, I even detailed how the authorities could raise and nurture a credible U-17 team for this tournament. Sadly, everything fell on deaf ears. Recall also the unprintable names they called me when on February 8, 2009, in a four-part serial with the heading, Still a long way to go, I advised the sports minister on what he could do to ensure that we did not present a team that would embarrass us?

I do not merely try to analyse the state of affairs of our football. I have also consistently made suggestions about how best to tackle our challenges. Despite the hostile posture of the sports authorities, I have never hesitated to share information with them that could be helpful to our teams. Recall NFA board member Taiwo Ogunjobi‘s published surprising reaction to my articles thanking me for the quality of my observations and suggestions? Recall also the ‘‘useful tips‘‘ sent through another board member Dr Peter Singabele to the team en route for Tunisia for the ‘‘battle of Rades‘‘ last June? I have always been motivated by the best interest of my country. And yet they say that I want them to fail. How can that be when they have stubbornly strayed into a quagmire and failed already?

The guilty flee when none is in pursuit. Let me make it clear that I am not interested in the office of sports minister. In the first place, I am not a member of any political party and I have never even attended a rally. Also, in the current dispensation you cannot be the chairman of the NFA unless the sports minister gives his approval. Certainly, none can accuse me of doing anything to endear myself to him.

By the way, I am not greedy for power and position either. I have politely turned down appointments even at federal level (see page 54 of THISDAY of Sept. 10, 2004). Earlier in 1999, I voluntarily resigned from the LOC board of FIFA U-20 World Cup and as chairman of Port-Harcourt zone. Of course, they were all based on principle. So, Sani Lulu and Co. should stop shivering with fright whenever I speak.

I am filled with an overwhelming sense of outrage that those that have never rendered true service to their country but have only used public office to blindly pursue selfish interests have the effrontery to question my patriotism.

I was privileged to attend the oldest and one of the most distinguished secondary schools in Nigeria, CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, where I did my ‘‘O‘‘ and ‘‘A‘‘ Levels from 1969-1975. I knew the true meaning of selfless service when I became senior prefect in 1974/1975. From that time through university and Law School, it was my honour and privilege to play for my country juggling the rigours of academics and elite sports without complaint, but with pride and equanimity.

Concluded

Adokiye: I have documentary evidence

Posted: 2009-11-08 16:45

Adokiye Amiesimaka has claimed that he has documentary evidence to back up his allegation that Nigeria Under-17 captain Fortune Chukwudi is ineligible for the tournament.
He also hit back at the NFF for questioning his motives in calling out the player.

Writing again in his weekly column, Adokiye stated:

"In all humility, as a legal practitioner with over 30 years post-call experience and a man priviledged to have been the Hon Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of a state, I will not speak about such a matter in the public domain without being sure of my facts.

"And there is documentary evidence kept in a secure place attesting what I have said about him."

Adokiye went on to accuse the NFF of complicity in the age fraud.

"If our sports authorities had any sense of responsibility or appreciated the seriousness of the matter and were not party to this fraud, instead of running from one media house to another disrespectfully calling me names, what they should have done was to immediately cause an independent body to investigate it.

"From available evidence, it would not have taken more than a few minutes to determine the truth."

He added that Chukwudi was not the only ineligible player in the team.

"Again, he is not the only ineligible player in the team. And that is why I can boldly say that the MRI scan , is a scam, at least to the extent of the thorough screening of the host team.

"Of course, other teams should be tested too, but what concerns me is the integrity of our team."

And for those questioning his timing, Amiesimaka had this to say:

"I could not have talked seriously about this player or any of the others earlier because the sports authorities did not give us the opportunity to see them play any major friendly matches before the tournament began.

"And you do not make a serious allegation without seeing the players whose names you have only read in the newspaper. Who does not know that as some of the players falsify their ages, so too do they adopt names other than their own?"

And as if daring the NFF to take him to court, Amiesimaka turned the knife in further by saying age fraud was an officially-sanctioned policy.

"Not that any earlier warning would have would have meant anything to the sports authorities anyway in view of their publicly acknowledged resolve to cheat in order to realise their win at all costs objective.

"Remember the controversial interviews the officials gave earlier this year confirming that it was official policy to use over-aged players?"

Amiesimaka also pointed out that he had previously advised the NFF, both in private and in public, about putting their house in order and chronicled his previous articles on the issue dating back to 2007 after Nigeria won the Under-17 World Cup in Korea, 15 articles after that on age cheating, and one last March detailing how the authorities could "raise and nurture a credible Under-17 team for this tournament."

Additionally, he pointed to a four-part serial he wrote advising the sports minister on "what he could do to ensure that we did not present a team that would embarrass us".

He added that despite the hostile posture of the sports authorities, he has never hesitated to reach out to them, recalling NFF board member Taiwo Ogunjobi's "published reaction surprising reaction to my articles thanking me for the qualifty of my observations and suggestions."

"I have always been motivated by the best interests of my country. And yet they say I want them to fail. How can that be when they have stubbornly strayed into a quagmire and failed already?"

He made it clear that he was not interested in any position, citing instances where he turned down a federal appontment, and when he resigned in 1999 as LOC member and Chairman of the Port Harcourt sub-seat of the Fifa Under-20 World Cup Nigeria 99 based on principle and goes on to take a dig at the NFF:

"I am filled with an overwhelming sense of outrage that those who have never rendered true service to their country, but have only used public office to blindly pursue selfish interests have the effrontery to question my patriotism.

"I was privildeged to attend CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos. I knew the true meaning of selfless service when I became senior prefect in 1974/1975.

"From that time through university and Law School, it was my honour and priviledge to play for my country juggling the rigours of academics and elite sports without complaint, but with pride and equanimity."

Colin Udoh

centrica:

Hello everyone in the house, can some one tell me how much Adokiye The ex Nigerian international have collected for this job, he has taken upon his shoulder, by destroying this young man.He is telling us in one of his publicaton that he has evidence to support his claim, why now, he suppose to have come up with this allegation at least few weeks before the event, why now, or is it the boys are doing well, he should remember that who ever destroy others in other to make it in life should know that destruction await him at the edge of his own breakthrough.
To me he should keep the evidence his having to himself and his family , and he should leave the young man alone, nobody is interested in his evidence, i mean he suppose to have let the cat out of the bag long ago not now, that the boys are doing well. The under 20 boys that perform badly the other day no body complaint about them. To me the man has interior motive about all these, is not about been a patrotic nigerian.
That man should shot up , he should stop playing to the gallery,if is looking for position this is not the best way to go about it.
One love naija, wishing the boys all the best in their semi final match.

lagerwhenindoubt:

The question here is not whether Adokiyie is evil, pathetic and cruel bastard!  rather it is why we fielded an over-aged player against the FIFA rules, whether or not we knew about it and how he passed MRI scan won't be the focus at the end of the day.

Sagamite:

@ FBS,

I would gladly answer your questions if you can tell me you are basically saying you believe that a 12 year old played in the NPL and scored 25 goals in 50 matches.

Are you saying that is not better proof than your MRI scan?

FBS:

Sagamite, be kind enough to answer the questions first. Then we can take it from there.

You yourself wrote somewhere that Adokiyie's utterances made you to stop supporting the boys. i.e you was indeed supporting them before that. Yes or true?

Do you mean to tell me that your belief changed in that second/minute you read his article? My friend go and sit down somewhere if you have nothing to say. With such a mentality, you are even more gullible than I thought.

Sagamite:

You have to answer that my simple question for me to see whether you have enough reasoning for me to be engaging in a likely long debate with.

FBS:

You may call me whatever that comes to your mind. It's a public forum and anyone and everyone is entitled to be stupid (It's not a crime to be) so no shakes. I asked the questions first and if you cannot answer them, forever hold your peace.

Sagamite:

My time is very precious. I would need to test an individual that is stupid enough to defend a criminal with record, wanted in London for ongoing investigations into unexplained millions of pounds whilst he was governor and has refused to set foot in UK since then, and whose accomplices have been jailed for money laundering.

I wouldn't engage in senseless "without doubt" arguments [note the omission of "reasonable" in the quote] with such a person.

http://www.saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4211:nigeria-golden-eaglets-captain-7-years-ago&catid=58:football&Itemid=182

centrica:

Harmeenut, don't worry your self, initially, i knew it that , The old man is playing to a script or executing a paid job, why is he coming up with the photo now, i mean he suppose to have shown this photo to support is claim to the NFF, why now at the mid of the event, He want to prove that he is Mr clean, he has forgotten that any man that destroy others to leave, destruction shall surely be his portion at his own door.
Let the old man keep on playing to the gallery, surely he will meet his own waterloo.
Why is the man so wicked, you see a young man succeding, and you are trying every means to pull him down.
Did he want to say that through out his carrier he did not have any skeleton in his cupboard, let see what he want to achieve in doing this paid job he has collected.
I wish the eaglet all the best, more grease to their elbow, one love naija.

centrica:

Hello sagamite, you have shown clearly that you are one of the bastard nigerian that use left hand to describe his father's house, all you just want is to pull this young man down, surely you can not achieve that you and that old man.
You should try and pull everyone in your family down first before coming out to that young man, i know you and the old man have been paid to carry out this evil act, otherwise, what did you stand to gain by doing so, surely, you have your own past which you are keeping as a secret.
Remeber that,the young man have been destined to make it in life through that carrer, their is nothing you and the old man can do about it.
harmenut, don't bother your self any more about sagamite, surely, is one of the bad element in the society, only God knows how many people he has destroy in the society.
I rest my case. one love naija, surely i will watch those boys life @ Teslim balogun tommorrow.
One love naija.