Connect with us

Strictly Personal

Super Eagles and Marcus the pig at the World Cup

There has been nothing in recent memory like the build up to Nigeria’s first match at the on-going 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia. Football is Nigeria’s greatest unifier: when it is football, our compatriots drop all ethnic

Published

on

There has been nothing in recent memory like the build up to Nigeria’s first match at the on-going 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia. Football is Nigeria’s greatest unifier: when it is football, our compatriots drop all ethnic, religious and ideological differences and profess the missing faith and ideology of one Nigeria.

They have expressed similar solidarity over whose jollof is sweeter in the competition between Ghanaian jollof, Senegalese jollof and Nigerian jollof – the way Nigerians defend our national cuisine, you would think we are a nation of gourmets, but nothing compares to the magic of football and its connection with nationalism. When it comes to football, Nigeria is the home of passion, zeal and boundary-less excitement. This is intriguing so to speak in the same nation where politics is combustible and a comment about another person’s faith or religion, or ethnicity or a mere disagreement between a Hausa-Fulani and a Yoruba at Mile 12 market, or between a pastoralist and a farmer in the Middle Belt could result in bloodbath, even at a football-viewing centre. The only explanation we have for this is that Nigeria is a complex country, full of paradoxes, and clearly, only Nigerians understand their country.

Nonetheless, the disappointing performance of the Super Eagles in their first match at the on-going 2018 World Cup tournament has nothing to do with paradox or complexity, it was a display of sheer absent-mindedness. In the build-up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Nigeria was the darling of the entire world. The news was that we had the best set of jerseys and kits in the world. Despite the shoulder-rubbing aspiration of Egypt, Croatia and one other country like that, the Nigerian jerseys designed by Nike became the aso ebi of the World Cup – a nice combination of colour, mood, shade and tint. The jerseys sold out a few minutes after being made available on the Nike website. Before you knew it, everybody that is somebody or simply pro-Nigerian started wearing the jersey, across the world. If the World Cup were to be won by the beauty of the garment, Nigerians would have seized the trophy even before the tournament began.

There was even a quarrel over the attires: there must be like four different types, but the one eventually designed by a local tailor made as much wave as the Nike ones and one guy went on twitter to protest that there was a Nigerian conspiracy against the Warri guy who designed the local aso ebi. At that point, the ethnic element came in, but Nigerians didn’t dwell on that. They quickly recognized @gt_stitches and asked the Super Eagles to show the world what they have.

Beautiful Nollywood girls and professional local slay queens pushed their frontal and back-end assets in our faces proclaiming Up-Nigeria. Some even exposed nice, succulent, tempting flesh, to reassure the Super Eagles that the women of Nigeria were behind them. Some celebrities joined the craze, including a few pot-bellied, and white-hair-in-the-nose actors wearing the Super Eagles jersey. The international media spotted the story – BBC, CNN, Al-Jazeera etc and adopted the Super Eagles as the best-dressed team in the World Cup and we all went wa-ah–oh. They even interviewed Russians watching our Nigerian football fans, dancing round the streets of Russia, singing, jolloficating, and energetically pounding the streets. “The Nigerians just won’t stop singing and dancing”!

The excitement was so much that even the President of Brazil endorsed Nigeria as a key team at the World Cup. The Irish, not having a team at the World Cup, ignored England and said they were supporting Nigeria. It was clear to me, doing a structuralist and semiotic reading of this that Nigeria is a country in desperate need of good news. I didn’t attempt a Marxist reading- the Russians themselves having killed Karl Marx after his death. The World Cup is not about the struggle of the masses, or equity or justice. It is war, even if at the end of the day the gifted are separated from the waka-pass and a dictatorship of the former is established. Every qualifying team joins the war to defend its country, its brand, national ego and corporate brand. Very sad. Very bad. So frustrating, therefore: The Super Eagles messed us up on Saturday, June 16. Many Nigerians were disappointed with their performance. It was Nigeria’s 6th World Cup appearance. The boys may have worn the most fashionable clothes, but they failed to realize that the World Cup is not a Dolce and Gabana show where Wizkid and Naomi Campell can exchange boy and woman banters or that the garment does not make the Monk. Every World Cup match is a macho game, a game of thrones, with too much at stake – personal brands, national brands, and the ego and emotions of nations. Our team lacked energy, drive and creativity. Alex Iwobi, the leading light from the qualifiers was anonymous on the left wing. Victor Moses was the man every Nigerian thought would make some difference. The fella was busy showboating all over the pitch on Saturday, falling up and down like a yoyo, kicking the ball like a headless chicken. Ighalo was left isolated with no secondary support.

Troost-Ekong certainly does not know that the World Cup field is not a night-club. He should be told to stop holding and embracing the opponent in the penalty yard. A football match is not a ballet where people cling to each other and do the pirouette. Mikel Obi should try and help his country. Cristiano Ronaldo had a big tax evasion matter on his head, but he still stood up for his country. Diego Costa: he proved himself for Spain. Lionel Messi may have lost the penalty: I blame the coach – never ask Messi to take the penalty, he would mess it up- but he worked hard for Argentina.

With an own goal and a silly penalty give-away in the match against Croatia, we have all now become a nation of football coaches. Young Nigerians who claim to understand football, even if their only claim to that is the Aba-made Super Eagles jersey they bought in Lagos Traffic, or at Yaba bend-down market, are now telling Gernot Rohr what combination he must adopt in subsequent matches. Many amateur coaches have recommended the 4-4-2 combination but I think Nigeria probably stands a chance of doing better in this World Cup if all the arm-chair coaches on social media can be blocked and all the fine girls with corruption-laden body parts can be banned from sending Direct Messages to the Super Eagles. Also, the boys must not visit Mikel Obi’s in-laws until the end of the tournament. They must stay away from Russian hospitality and Vodka. Nigeria as a country needs to concentrate on the task at hand. Switzerland was able to hold Brazil down to a 1-1 draw because they focused on the job. The same was the case in the Portugal-Spain match. Marcus, the pig had predicted that Spain would beat Portugal. But that didn’t happen. In the dying minutes, Ronaldo made it a hat-rick and cancelled Diego Costa’s brace. We need people like that in the Super Eagles. Portugal obviously did not rely on the pig.

It is indeed a crying shame that Nigerians are relying on fashion and animals for their World Cup 2018 fortune. Just before our first match against Croatia on Saturday, we were told that the Football Association Chairman in Russia had issued a statement forbidding Super Eagles fans from bringing live chickens to the stadiums. Apparently the Super Eagles Fans’ Club Association had asked for permission to bring live chickens to the match venues- chickens are said to be symbols of the Fans’ association. I don’t know whether or not the Russians were being polite, but they said No. I have tried to put myself in their shoes. Having heard all those stories about snakes that steal millions of money in Nigeria, who in his right senses in the world today, will allow Nigerians to bring a live chicken to a competitive football match? What if any of the chickens, the sprightly, springy ones broke loose, jumped onto the field of play and caused some havoc in the course of a peregrination across the stadium? There is also the additional threat of bird flu, being spread inadvertently through contact or air-borne pollination. But may be it was not even the chickens that posed the greatest danger, it was probably Marcus the pig- the prophesying-animal that reportedly told the whole world that the Super Eagles would make it to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

Nigerians generally, including the Super Eagles are very superstitious. But we all need to be told that the World Cup is not about chickens and pigs. Some Nigerians were so dependent on the pig’s prediction that when they were disappointed at the end, they slaughtered and barbecued Marcus – representations of it – literally, and figuratively, on social media for its treachery. May they be reminded that the same pig probably predicted that Spain will beat Portugal in their first encounter. But Portugal had Ronaldo who proved to be brighter than the pig and in the dying minutes, he changed the game. And that takes us to where we are going: the Super Eagles must stop relying on predictions, or pigs or chickens and play football. The on-going World Cup tournament is already springing surprises and living up to the hype. Mexico trashed Germany the defending Champions. Switzerland held Brazil with their individually and collectively talented squad to a draw. Portugal and Spain played as if they were at war. Iceland, a first-time participant at the World Cup, put up a great showing, 1-1, against Argentina, a team mentioned as one of the favourites to win the tournament. This particular match recorded specular saves by the Iceland goalkeeper, including a Lionel Messi penalty kick. Magical moments like this indicate determination and the desire to win. Hannes Halldorsson, Iceland’s goalkeeper, is a film-maker away from football- he would never have guessed he would produce a film-like performance at the World Cup and also be named Man of the Match.

On Friday, June 22, the Super Eagles will again be on the field – against Iceland. If there is ever a must-win match to keep a nation’s hope alive, that must be it. The Super Eagles must not play like pigs or chickens. We expect them to play like champions. Just before the World Cup began, Javier Mascherano, an Argentine player commented on how the great thing about Nigeria is that we are a disorganized team, and that our disorganization disorganizes other teams. Masherano was proven right in our match against Croatia. That is disheartening.

As a country that has football ingrained into its identity, we expect a lot more even if, to be honest, there is an obvious lack of high-end talent representing the national team. Many of our own who can make a difference are, sadly and unfortunately, representing other national teams at this World Cup. Manuel Obafemi Akanji, born to a Nigerian father, has just helped Switzerland to secure a draw against Brazil. Dele Alli, another Nigerian is in the English national team. So I ask: are we expecting too much from the Super Eagles? Are we putting too much pressure on them to perform? I don’t think so. Romelu Lukaku, a star of the Belgian team and Manchester United, is from a family that had no access to Cable TV. His family was poor. He is now making a second-time appearance in the World Cup finals. He has scored 2 goals in this World Cup to help secure a 3-0 victory for Belgium over Panama. Gabriel Jesus of Brazil used to paint streets; today he is one of the leading stars for Brazil at the World Cup. What Nigerians want from the Super Eagles at this World Cup is good performance, a display of ability and seriousness, and a successful defence of the Nigerian brand.

Developing football? Whatever happens at the end of the day in Russia, we have to learn to develop Nigeria’s football sector and the entire sports sector – the management, the leadership recruitment, the diversification and strategic intensification – to demonstrate to the world that we are a serious-minded nation. Super Eagles – a severely depressed nation in search of good news waits on you.

Commentator….Reuben Abati

Strictly Personal

Intuition can reduce corruption, By Felix Kunda

Published

on

The country, Zambia at the moment has very few opinion leaders who can be inspirational to the young generation. All the famous and important personalities who held important offices are either facing corruption charges, convicted, or under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Going by the media reports, and the court cases that are going on, there is rampant corruption in Zambia at every level in government, the private sector, and perhaps even in Non-Governmental Organisations. The country is in an intensive care, sick with corruption, and there is a need for a vaccine to end this pandemic.

To confirm the prevailing problem, the Drug Enforcement Commission announced that it seized 41 bank accounts from various commercial banks worth 174 million Kwacha and 19 million United States Dollars. These are huge sums of money, that were meant to uplift the living standard of the 80 percent of poor people in Zambia.

As if this is not nauseating enough, Anti-Corruption Commission Head of Corporate Communications Timothy Moono informed the nation that by the end of November 2022, the commission had a total of 1,264 cases under investigation, and out of these 284 cases were concluded.

And 1973 to 1978 Bahati Constituency Member of parliament under the United Independence Party (UNIP) former Member of Parliament Honourable Valentine Kayope said top civil servants and political leaders who are involved in corruption luck vision of why they are occupying such important positions in government.

Honourable Kayope who also served the same constituency from 1996 to 2001 under the Movement for multi-party democracy (MMD) said leadership is a gift from God, and immediately leaders convince themselves that they are in those position as their own efforts derails them on their responsibilities of serving the people.

Mr. Kayope who also served as Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister under Dr. Frederick Chiluba’s government said those in top positions are there to serve the poor people and not to serve themselves. He said the people that those leaders are serving constantly observe their leaders and immediately they notice selfishness among the leaders, they are the ones that blow the whistles.

He said, leadership is about transparent and accountability, immediately that is lost, people will start speculating and these are the people that will report to institution because it is their resources being abused. “Amenso yamukundilwa yengi,” he said. The resources are for the Zambians and not the leadership or top civil servants.

Needless to say that the consequences of those involved in these corrupt practices are depressing and stressing, and human beings can avoid corruption by using intuition. Intuition are extra-ordinary powers of the mind that is readily available and helps in making difficult decisions.

According to Laura Day in her book Practical Intuition, “intuition is a capacity you are born with as a human being, like the capacity for language or thinking or appreciating music. Intuition is not a power one acquires. It is an integral part of every human mental, emotional, and psychical process.

You use your intuition in practical reasoned decisions you make every day, from choices such as which bus to use, as to what to eat for supper, when to visit the village, or who to marry. Most people use intuition unconsciously every day, while some have learned to use it with precision and accuracy.

It is therefore true and accurate that all the Zambian individual who are currently appearing in court for corruption, were warned by their intuition not to participate in corrupt practices. Intuition is always there with us as human beings, which others call a small voice within ourselves. However humans tend to ignore the early warnings through intuition, simply because of selfishness.

For all those in leadership and the top civil servants, Intuition is not limited by space and time, and one can always rely on an intuition in making a difficulty decision. Intuition can protect you from a bribe or participating in corrupt practices.

Continue Reading

Strictly Personal

World Down Syndrome Day: As the search for inclusion continues by Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi

Published

on

Every year, as World Down Syndrome Day is commemorated, I find myself deep in introspection, reflecting on those who, by a unique design of nature, is born to a world where their difference has too often been made a barrier to inclusion and acceptance. Hundreds of thousands of children with Down Syndrome are stigmatized, and denied access to education, healthcare, and full social integration. I reflect on opportunities lost to their exclusion, a blight on our collective humanity.

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), commemorated on March 21, is a global awareness day that the United Nations has officially observed since 2012. It was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

I am glad that the theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘We Decide’, which focuses on the right of people with Down Syndrome to participate. I strongly believe this is apt. It reinforces the call for all of society to include and fully involve those living with Down Syndrome.

I have often wondered how much more progress we would have had the world over if people who are differently abled were not left out of the course of building society, but integrated to express their natural gifts.

All across the globe, there is an abundance of documented stories of exclusion, abuse, and displacement. In parts of Africa, people living with Down Syndrome are considered taboo over superstitious beliefs that they are not normal. This shatters the soul. Oh, how the hold of ignorance has deprived our people of the capacity to appreciate and welcome nature’s unique design!

Given the level of ignorance and misinformation around Down Syndrome, it is important that a concerted effort must be made to embark on widespread enlightenment campaigns, orientation, and education in multiple domains.

Schools, medical institutions, religious institutions, cultural institutions, and political institutions must all be included. We must work hard to open the eyes of people to the true facts about Down Syndrome, leading them to a new level of enlightenment and acceptance.

To truly build a society that is inclusive of everyone, especially those who are different and special, we must empower all the people with knowledge and insights into the unique attributes of these oft-marginalized set of people. They must be educated to accept and welcome them into the heart of society, becoming their brothers and sisters indeed.

But more importantly, mankind must quickly appreciate that the best approach to deal with the vulnerable is to sufficiently learn or perfect how to connect with them. This is the way of humanity. This is the way of progress.

For governments across the world, clear policies and laws must be passed to integrate, support and empower people with Down Syndrome. Their fate must not be left to the voluntary goodwill of the people. Their rights must be codified and enforced. They must not be subject to discrimination, stigmatization, and exclusion. Their lives are valuable. Their lives are priceless.

This fight is for all of us. We must treat it as a sacred responsibility. Every person living with Down Syndrome must cease to have a target on their back, and instead become a normal part of the global family. We must decide this today!

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Politics13 hours ago

Congo DR: President Tshisekedi reshuffles cabinet, appoints ex-vice president, Bemba as defence minister

Former vice president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Pierre Bemba, has been appointed as the country’s defence minister in...

Culture13 hours ago

#JusticeForAKA becomes most trending hashtags as South African celebrities seek answers to murder of rapper

The hashtag, #JusticeForAKA, created shortly after the murder of South African rapper, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, popularly known as AKA, outside...

Metro14 hours ago

Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed appoints TPLF spokesman head of Tigray interim government

The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abyi Ahmed, has appointed the spokesman of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Getachew Reda, as...

Metro14 hours ago

Algerian authorities dismantle sophisticated migrant smuggling syndicate

Algeria on Friday, says its security agencies have dismantled an international network of human smugglers to Europe through the country....

Musings From Abroad14 hours ago

US Vice President, Kamala Harris to visit 3 African countries as new scramble continues

The scramble for Africa between the global South and West has continued as the United States continues to push to...

Sports16 hours ago

Sexual abuse allegations rock DR Congo, Cameroon sports

A football coach in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jonathan Bukabakwa, has been provisionally suspended for an initial five months...

Tech16 hours ago

Tigo partners with Selcom, Mastercard, to launch online digital payment solution in Tanzania

Tanzania’s virtual payment platform, Tigo Tanzania, has entered into a strategic partnership with Selcom and Mastercard to launch an online...

Musings From Abroad17 hours ago

Like Italy, US worried President Saied’s style creates ‘enormous concern’ over Tunisia

Following the sit-tight regime of President Kais Saied of Tunisia, the United States Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf has...

VenturesNow17 hours ago

Ghana’s finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, hints at external assurance on debt restructuring

The ministry of finance in Ghana has revealed that after a meeting with the minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, the country is...

VenturesNow2 days ago

South Africa: Consumer confidence falls to lowest level since 1994. Here’s why

A recent survey released in South Africa shows that consumer confidence plunged to its lowest level since 1994 in the...

Trending