By Saviour Aluede
info@sass.biz
I read with great dismay news abound print and online media about the alleged indebtedness of Kanu Nwankwo to a Nigerian bank. In the light of the media backlash that Kanu Nwankwo presently faces and as a Nigerian who has lived both within and outside the country for many years, I am forced to speak up. This is moreso in light of the immense respect Kanu has built across Europe and Africa. Without delving into the intricacies of a matter currently pending before the court, it is clear to see that from the facts as gathered, Kanu Nwankwo is not indebted to Skye Bank. Rather the debtor is Hardley Apartments, a company whom Kanu happens to be one of its directors amongst others. We all know that a company operates as a clear and distinct entity and as such generally cannot be unveiled to reveal the identity of those who are behind it. I therefore find it amusing that the news is being conveyed in such a manner as to portray Kanu as indeed in debt to Skye bank instead of Hardley Appartments as the court order clearly revealed.
Kanu Nwankwo is a well respected Nigerian who through his football and benevolence has brought immense joy and pride to both Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike across the globe. Whilst playing with the Nigerian national team from 1994 until his retirement in 2010, Kanu won 86 caps and scored 13 goals for the country of his birth. He flew the flag of this country his whilst plying his trade across Europe more particularly at Arsenal, England where he scored 44 goals in 197 games including a hat-trick against Chelsea football club during the 1999 – 2000 season. Kanu has been ranked as 13th amongst the “Gunners’ Greatest 50 Players.” With a playing career which saw him at Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth, Kanu Nwankwo has won the Eredivisie three times, the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, UEFA Cup, English Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield Titles. He has also picked up the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Olympic Gold Medal, Afro-Asian Cup of Nations and Silver Medal at the African Cup of Nations whilst wearing Nigerian colours. As an individual he has won the African Footballer of the Year title twice in 1996 and 1999 and the BBC African Footballer of the Year title in 1997 and 1999.
Outside football, Kanu established the Kanu Heart Foundation which since its establishment in 2000 has been rendering assistance to children and young adults who suffer from various heart defects. As at May 2015, this foundation had carried out 495 open heart surgeries. No one ever focuses attention on the good one does. It is only when there is a little bad press that attention is drawn and everyone starts talking. This is not how we are supposed to behave as Nigerians.
Nigeria is currently undergoing trying times, with a government focusing its attention on battling corrupt past-leaders whose mismanagement of public funds have been largely attributed to the dilemma the country presently faces. It is therefore unfortunate that Nigerians will focus their attention on demeaning the credibility of some well meaning citizens who have dedicated a major aspect of their lives to improving the wellbeing of their fellow countrymen. Where then is the love? Were our collective energies as Nigerians better channeled, I doubt Nigeria will be in the dire position it currently finds itself.
It is unfortunate that a player who has given so much in service to his country will still have his name dragged into the mud. The way and manner in which Kanu Nwankwo has been treated has given me an unfortunate insight into the mentality of some Nigerians. We turn a blind eye to the good a person does whilst eagerly anticipating the first sign of a flaw to set our tongues wagging. This is indeed despicable.
It is therefore my plea that caution is borne by the media when conveying information so as not to be self-serving but rather to express the truth as it really is. As Nigerians we should learn to be more appreciative of the good ambassadors we have and not destroy them whilst we sing praises for those who have only served to destroy our nation. I thank all the Nigerians who have in one way or another served to reveal the good that can be found within our boundaries and all the well-meaning Nigerians who are openly approving of the work they have done.