By Valentine Amala Ulasi
I read the news about your visit to Anambra State. Those of us from Anambra are happy over such gestures. It reminded us when you visited the state in 2009 under Mr. Peter Obi. At that time, you came for the commissioning of the Justice Ikpeazu Stadium Obi built at Onitsha North. You even expressed happiness that the stadium was named after an ardent footballer lover and the first person to establish professional football in Nigeria. You also expressed happiness that the same stadium was built at Onitsha South.
I was shocked by your comments as reported or written by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. James Eze, who is an expert in putting words into people’s mouth. Mr Eze reported or wrote:
Famous Nigerian international footballer, Kanu Nwankwo has praised the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano for taking good care of the pioneer set of footballers of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, most of who are old and ailing.
Speaking during a courtesy visit on the governor in Aguleri, Kanu said he was overjoyed to hear that governor Obiano had shown great compassion to the pioneer set of Rangers players who had played with so much determination to restore the pride of Ndigbo after the Civil War.
Further, Mr. Eze quoted you as having said that "No other governor in Nigeria has shown so much appreciation to aging footballers who had brought joy to our people with their gifts when they were young. There are old and ailing footballers across the country but no one cares about them. But governor Obiano has done well by showing that deserve care and love"
I am convinced that Mr. Eze put words into your mouth or that the Governor lied to you on the true state of affairs that prompted that declaration. We know our Governor and his infinite capacity to tell lies.
If you were in touch with Old Rangers, they would have explained the state of things to you. I am aware that that other Governors of the South-East render assistances to Old rangers that it is absurd for him to claim to be the only person doing that. We know our Governor very well. He does nothing in the State, only gallivanting from the USA to Canada. Because he does nothing, any simplest thing he does, even if building a toilet that others take for granted is shown on all available news media.
Talking about Old Rangers, my humble advice is that you speak to them one-on-one. I am sure they will tell you that the champion of their welfare has remained the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi. I am privileged to know this because my causing is an Old Rangers. What has distinguished Obi is that he does things that especially borders on individual or private group’s assistance without disclosure. And what has he been doing?
It was Mr. Peter Obi who first put the old Rangers on monthly stipend. Mr. Peter Obi went on to engage two of them, Mr. Emma Okala, Late Nnamdi Nwokeocha (Camel), Mr. Victor Atuegbunam (Block Buster) as advisers. Obi also made their one time Secretary, Chief Joe- Martins Uzodike a Commissioner. Crosscheck with Old Rangers and you will find out that Obi literally buried those of them that passed away because their members have taken him as a mentor. When Kenneth Ilodibe (Kendo) was sick, Obi picked his bill. When Camel died, Obi built a house for the family, among others. May their souls continue to rest in peace. Nigerians may not know Obi was the one who provided them with office accommodation at Enugu and has been bankrolling their monthly meetings till date. I should know all this because my uncle is an Old Rangers.
Even when he is engrossed in tribunal matter, it was Obi, Mr. Christian Chukwu can confirm this because my cousin told me it was published on their WhatsApp group, that galvanised those that assisted in his hospital bill.
Papilo, it might interest you to know that it was Obi that provided the only official bus that the Old Rangers use today. This can be seen on: http://amazingviewpoints.blogspot.com/2015/04/peter-obi-donated-bus-to-rangers-old.html
During the burial of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, for instance, Mr. Peter Obi galvanised Old Rangers by providing them all they needed for a condolence visit. At that visit, their spokesperson, Mr. Harrison Okagbue spoke to the press: “the Governor has been empowering us and we appreciate his contributions to the society, he was the only governor paying us pension and who provided a bus and an office accommodation for us in Enugu.” You need to have all the facts before they deceive you as they have been deceiving everybody.
Papilo, by now, you must be aware of the penchant of His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano to turn truth upside down. I remember the debate between his former Commissioner of Sports, Mr. Tony Nnaecheta and Obi’s Media Adviser, Mr. Valentine Obienyem. In reply to the claim that Obiano met nothing in sports when he took over, which is akin to the claim that he is the only Governor who had ever supported Old Rangers, Obienyem, trying to put the matter straight, wrote:
"By the time Mr. Peter Obi became Governor, sports in Anambra State was laying prostrate, but today through the efforts of Mr. Obi the State now has three mini stadia- Justice Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha South Stadium and Awka stadium ( on- going). Obi rehabilitated the Ime Obi and Rojenny stadium at Onitsha and Oba respectfully. Obi reintroduced school sports in the State and from 15th position in 2011 Anambra came 5th in 2012 and 3rd in National School sports in 2013. Anambra won Gold Medals in both male and female National Youths Sports Federation ( YSFON), in 2012 that qualified Anambra to represent Nigeria at the World Youths Sports Federation held in Oslo, Norway. In May 2013, Anambra funded Anambra footballers to World pre-season tournament at Antalia, Turkey, where 6 Anambrarians were selected for professional careers in Europe. Obi initiated the first ever Governor's Unity Cup and the first Traders Cup in 2013. Obi initiated the first disabled sports competition in the State. He hosted the Flying Eagles twice and placed members of Old Rangers on monthly stipends, provided buses for them, the Ministry of Sports, Anambra State Chapter of Nigerian National Supporters Club, and the National Youth Council. Rather than acknowledge this and try to build on them and even surpass them, all Nnaecheta could say was to describe the state of sporting facilities as shameful. When prominent person in the state said they voted the present Governor because of Obi's work in the State, what does the Commissioner think they were saying?"
(https://thenationonlineng.net/obis-aide-commissioner-disagree-on-sport-facilities/)
I have taken time to recall all this to show you that your statement was not true. Knowing you, one has reason to belive that yours was an innocent mistake. Either you attributed the deeds of Obi to Obiano or that they deceived you by reeling out what APGA Governor did which you mistook for Obiano or that his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. James Eze put words into your mouth. May you be properly guided in future as many youths are beholden to you and will take whatever comes out of your mouth as gospel truth.
I have attached the picture of the bus Obi donated to them as well as some pictures obi took with old rangers for you to know the closeness between them.
Thank you as continue to help the poor through your foundation and as you have remained an exemplary ambassador of sports in Nigeria
No comments:
Post a Comment