₦airaland Forum

naptu2:
Obviously what that guy wrote is nonsense and doesn't deserve a response, but these are the facts.

1) Footballers from all over the world move to the major European leagues because that's where they can get the most recognition and money.

When was the last time that a player that is playing outside Europe won the FIFA The Best or the Ballon d'Or awards? Does that mean that North American, South American, Asian, African and Australasian countries are zoos, IDP camps or prisons? Players from all over the world move to Europe, does that mean that their countries are zoos, prisons and IDP camps?

2) There are many Nigerian players that have won international awards and are living comfortably while playing in the Nigerian league. Apart from playing regular football, Abu Azeez is also a beach soccer legend. He is the first African to score 100 goals in international beach soccer competitions, he was the player of the competition at the Beach Soccer Nations Cup that Nigeria came second, etc.

He has played almost his entire club football career in Nigeria, playing for Enyimba, Shooting Stars, Rangers, etc.

Rabiu Ali is a Kano Pillars legend. He has played for the club for almost his entire career. He has also played for the Nigerian National Team (Super Eagles) and for the home based Super Eagles (CHAN team).

There are many others like them (Sikiru Alimi, etc).

Let's not forget that players like Vincent Enyeama (Enyimba), Victor Osimhen (Ultimate Strikers), Asisat Oshoala (Rivers Angels) and Oghenekaro Etebo (Warri Wolves) and coaches like Stephen Keshi (Super Eagles), Olayemi Tella (Golden Eaglets), Okey Emordi (Enyimba) and Kadiri Ikhana (Enyimba) won CAF awards while playing or working in Nigeria and Enyimba has twice won the team of the year.

3) Many foreign players have also played in the Nigerian league. They won't have played here if Nigeria was a prison, IDP camp or zoo.

Some of the best women's players in Africa have played and are currently playing in the Nigerian league. Elizabeth Addo of Ghana (the football magician) played for Rivers Angels, Cameroon's first choice goalkeeper, Gabrielle Ange Bawou plays for Bayelsa Queens (there is a tradition of some of the best Cameroonian goalkeepers playing in the Nigerian league and this goes way back to the 1990s). Cathy Bou Ndjouh and Francoise Bella of Cameroon both played for Rivers Angels (Francoise Bella also played for Bayelsa Queens). They won't have come to Nigeria if it was a zoo, prison or IDP camp.

On the men's side we have had some of the best players in Africa (from other countries) playing in the Nigerian league. Historically you can talk about the likes of legendary Ghanaian goalkeeper, Edward Ansah, who was Ghana's first choice goalkeeper while he played for Iwuanyanwu Nationale and Arthur Moses, who played for the Black Stars while playing for Stationery Stores.

More recently we can remember the incredible Champions League winning Enyimba strikeforce of Joetex Frimpong of Ghana and Muri Ogunbiyi of Benin Republic.

And we still have them today with the likes of Indomitable Lions goalkeeper, Jean Efala and Bassa Djeri Sabairou playing in the Nigerian league.

In fact, there are a lot of non-Africans that have played and worked in the Nigerian league. I told you all about the Belgian coach, Maurice Cooreman when he died. He coached several clubs in the Nigerian league and took them to the final stages of the CAF Champions League. There's also the Brazilian, Rafael Everton, who also coached several teams in the Nigerian league.

There have been several Brazilians, Serbians, and Dutch players in the Nigerian league in teams like Kwara United, Ifeanyi Ubah and Enyimba and these players would not have come to Nigeria if it was a prison, zoo or IDP camp.

4) Many very famous Nigerian players that achieved great success in Europe have come back to play in the Nigerian league towards the end of their careers. Rashidi Yekini played for Julius Berger and Gateway after conquering Europe, Ahmed Musa played for Kano Pillars after playing in Europe and of course we've just seen the example of Brown Ideye. Many Nigerian players that played in Europe are also coaching in the Nigerian league. We've seen Daniel Amokachi, Finidi George, Emmanuel Amunike and others too numerous to mention.

All these people would not come back if Nigeria was a zoo, prison and IDP camp.

But that post was never really about football.

saintopus:
Don't teach us to produce guns, but teach us how to produce electronics, increase agricultural revolution. Let us feed our people. Insecurity will reduce

Konquest:
"Iroko ti wo."

The legendary chartered accountant and corporate business titan Chief 'Bode Emmanuel has come to the end of his cycle of human existence... "NOW elevated to a higher state of vibrational energy."

My condolences go to his entire family.

dejavubobo1:
There is the answer. Abdu Azzez & Rabiu Ali won't even win a caf award. But the south African goalie just did. While playing within SA. These guys you mentioned were talented but lack the tech skills to take them beyond talent and make the finished products... Why they were never a mainstream in the super Eagles. A player from Cyprus or Italy serieB will be preferred over them...

As for the poster above you. keep an open mind don't see enemies see critics challenging you to be better. It's a new year

dejavubobo1:
To be honest I understand what the poster above meant .... I'm into sports not full time anymore and not football.
U can't become a professional playing in Nigeria. Regardless of how talented you are. The facilities and technical skills are not available. I wish you look beyond patriotic and see what I'm saying

Maybe it’s fitting that I never officially announced “retirement” after university and after having knee cartilage replacement surgery. While it left me with no actual closure from my playing career, it also left open a door to go back to playing, and it was so obvious to walk through it when the opportunity presented itself a decade later.

The journey has been unpredictable with some beautiful highs and some dark lows. Sure, my path could have been different, but then so would the story. Now the story is one of belief; in God, in myself. One of determination against so many odds. One of taking risks, saying yes, and jumping far away from the safety net and into the unknown. A story of being too afraid of regret to even consider failure.

In this story, a lifelong dream of playing professional football, a dream I believed to be long lost, was revived. I was blessed to have represented Nigeria on the international stage. I lived and played in different countries and I never stopped learning about the game, about the world, or about myself.

They say it’s not about the destination but the journey, and what I can tell you is that many of the best parts of this story didn’t take place on the pitch. They are the memories from the places I got see, and the people I met along the way. Many who walked alongside me, many who supported me, and the occasional antagonist. They all gave me reasons to keep the faith and continue to find the joy in all of it, despite the circumstances or plot twists. I’m especially grateful to the ones who helped make it all possible in the first place.

My body is saying it’s time to close this chapter and hang up the boots (for real this time 😅) but I thank God for every step of this journey. I’m forever grateful to the beautiful game and all it’s given me, so here’s to continuing to find ways to give right back. Thank you for all for the love and support along the way 💛

#DelayedButNotDenied #WhatsMeantForYouWontPassYouBy
#MayYourDreamsNeverDie
#MoreThanFootball

Washington Spirit Starts Promising 2025 Rookie Class with Two Signings

Washington Spirit | January 6, 2025


Nigerian national team’s Deborah Abiodun and San Diego State star Emma Gaines-Ramos join the Spirit

Washington, D.C. (01/06/2025) – The Washington Spirit has made the first additions to its 2025 rookie class, signing forward Emma Gaines-Ramos and midfielder Deborah Abiodun, the club announced today. This year’s class comes in the wake of 2024’s historic group of first-year players highlighted by NWSL Midfielder and Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune.

Abiodun arrives in DC after two seasons at Pitt, where she was a standout player for the Panthers. In 34 appearances, the midfielder tallied ten goals and three assists while being named to the All-ACC teams in both seasons. In 2023, Abiodun was named to the all-conference Freshman and Third teams while she earned Second Team All-ACC honors in 2024. At the international level, Abiodun has extensive experience with the Nigerian senior team. She was named to the Super Falcons’ World Cup roster in 2023 and Olympics roster in 2024. Abiodun inked a three-year contract with a 2028 option and will occupy an international slot on the Spirit roster.

“I’m beyond thrilled to take this next step in my career by joining Washington Spirit,” said Abiodun. “This isn’t just a dream; it’s a purpose I’ve poured my heart and soul into and I’m ready to give everything I have to the game I love. Especially with a team that cares about its players’ growth and development, which makes Washington Spirit a perfect team for me to achieve my purpose.”

Gaines-Ramos joins the Spirit after five seasons at San Diego State University. Across 91 appearances with the Aztecs, the forward tallied 19 goals and 25 assists, earning all-conference honors four times. She was named to the All-Mountain West First Team in 2020 and 2022 before being named to the Second Team in 2023 and 2024. Gaines-Ramos joins on a two-year deal with 2027 and 2028 options and will start out on the season-ending injury (SEI) list but be eligible to return in 2025.

“Signing with the Washington Spirit was an easy decision for me as it is an incredible opportunity to challenge myself and compete at the highest level,” said Gaines-Ramos. “The club’s commitment to excellence, development, team culture and its community make it the perfect place for me to grow and contribute to its success as a player and a person.”

The Spirit will take the field in 2025 looking to build on this year’s second place finish in the NWSL. Behind stellar performances from the side’s star players and rookie phenoms, the Spirit set new single season club marks on the pitch in wins (18, also a league record), points (56) and goals (51) in front of record attendances at Audi Field in 2024.

Dreams becoming reality for the Nigerian international with World Cup experience! ⭐️

With a heart overflowing with gratitude and appreciation, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has been part of my incredible journey here at Pittsburgh. Knowing each one of you has been a blessing I will cherish forever.

To my Coaches, Professors, teammates who have become sisters, the supportive Teammates’ families, devoted Fans, and the amazing Staff of @pitt_wsoc you have all played a significant role in shaping me into a better player, student, teammate, sister, and person. Your unwavering encouragement, guidance, and belief in me have meant the world, and I am endlessly grateful for the moments we’ve shared.

The University of Pittsburgh will always hold a special place in my heart, as it has given me not only unforgettable memories but also the relationships and lessons that will last a lifetime. Thank you for making this chapter of my life so memorable, meaningful, and truly extraordinary.

Once a Panther, Always a Panther.
Hail to Pitt! 🐾💛💙

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Chief Bode Emanuel yesterday. In addition to being Chairman of SAIPEM Nigeria, Mr. Bode Emanuel, an early investor in Kwik, was a great man and a great Nigerian, we will deeply miss him. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Lastly, the third mainland bridge.

Yes, a lot of people do not know that you were instrumental to the construction of the famous Third Mainland Bridge, tell us the full story

By the way, I am very much in support of what Governor Ambode did, by speaking up about his frustration concerning the Airport/Oshodi Expressway. Sometimes, you need to blackmail the Federal Government to get some of these things done. I did the same thing with the Third Mainland Bridge.

I remember General Babangida had come back from a trip and I had gone to receive him, despite the fact that we were using siren, it was tough passing through traffic because we passed through Yaba to Dodan Barracks.

So when we got there, I saluted and turned back. I could see that he was looking very unhappy. Akhigbe had tried with the issue but the next day, I went to Babangida and said, sir this traffic situation is bad, can you please let us sit down and discuss how to finish this bridge.

General (Mamman) Kotangora, who was the Minister of Works, said the end, that is the Oworonshoki side is a built up area and it will be impossible to navigate it. I said sir, can you please give me the map, they said it is with Julius Berger.

When I left there, I went to Julius Berger, I got the map, and in the process of checking that map, I saw the Coastal Road up till Calabar, that was how I began the Coastal Road. That map is there, we can still look at it. So I went to him and said, Sir I know this is a Federal Project but it is my people that are suffering, can we do this 50-50. If we can’t pay, you can take it from source.

That was how we then introduced the Development Levy, it was for the Third Mainland Project mainly. That was when Gani Fawehinmi took me to court. I was not bothered because I knew we were doing something that will benefit majority of Lagosians.

We then started work, we had got half of the way, I think that was around 1989, I believe I had just lost my wife. Babangida now said, there was no money. I said that is not possible. I told him, I have been to Abuja, I saw what is happening there, so I told him: the method you are using in Abuja, let us use it in Lagos, even if we are going to use oil to exchange for the funds because Lagos was too critical to the nation’s economy.

Bode Emmanuel used to be the Chairman of one of the construction companies, that is how we became close. I told him you are a Lagosian, please let your company continue the job, we are working on payments, I also called Julius Berger and gave them assurances. There was one Dafinone that also came to our rescue, we then also told Government to collect some of the money from source too.

That was why I was on that site every day to ensure that work was going on as scheduled.But we had a problem at Oworonshoki, one Baale and one Imam, came, they were complaining about the houses that were in the right of way, I told them, please this road is greater than all of us, nothing must stand in its way.

They were still complaining. I just kept quiet, I went to the Army Engineers, I think Ihejerika was in charge of the Army Engineers, I told them I want that place cleared for the road in 24 hours. I told them that they should clear everything on the path of the bridge on the weekend, so that they cannot go to court and stop us. Fadayomi was my Commissioner of Justice and Baba (Teslim) Elias was with us, I also went to Rotimi Williams, they said start the operation by Friday and before they can go to court on Monday, you have completed your operation. I loved that idea.

I was happy with the kind of advice I got . Just as we were talking, one man came in from Julius Berger, a very nice man that I worked closely with during the project.

He said, I should not use Army Engineers that there was another way we can do it, that if we use the Army, we will be blackmailed.I said I don’t care. We cleared the bridge area, there were no houses for many metres, but today, the plan was to allow space in case there is future expansion.

But today I have seen houses on both sides, when I noticed that Ambode was doing some work there, I thought he will bring down those houses, that is the difference between the civilian and military government. We do not care about re-election, we just get the job done.  When we cleared the place, off course, the people went to court, but the deed had been done and that was how Justice Esho used the word Executive Rascality, and you the media starting singing about it, but we did not let that disturb us. Today, we are all enjoying the Third Mainland Bridge.

SGCOBA Mourns Passing of Member, Olabode Emanuel

St. Gregory’s College Old Boys Association (SGCOBA) yesterday announced the passing of its revered Board of Trustees Member, Chief Olabode Emanuel, who died on January 4, 2025.

According to a statement, SGCOBA said Emmanuel, before his demise, was a Chartered Accountant par excellence, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW), and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

The statement read: “As a seasoned administrator with vast experience, Chief Emanuel has served as the Chairman of the Board of many local and international corporate organizations.

“These include: BoriniProno & Co. Limited, Trevi Foundations of Nigeria Limited, Foundation Construction Limited, Saipem (Nigeria) Limited, Hogg Robinson Nigeria Limited, and Grand Cereals Limited.

“Aside St Gregory’s College Old Boys Association, he was a board member of, Nigerian Life & Provident Company Limited, Sterling Assurance Company Limited, Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Limited – Publishers of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Books and Publications in Africa – amongst others. Details on burial arrangements are “to be announced by the family.”