PASSION FOR FOREIGN PREMIERSHIP-A NEO-COLONIALISM

There is no doubt that sports happened to be a veritable instrument that unites people together today. Sports especially the game of football has proved that a moment can come when people would unite together irrespective of their problems, race, background, religion and status. In fact, the concept of “communalism” that has once lost in African Society (as a result of the appearance of ‘intruders’) has so many times resurfaced through sports especially when a football match is being watched. There are times without number that I’ve witnessed people gathering together in a spot rejoicing, dining and wining together in a very light atmosphere getting ready for a football match(especially the one involved National team) or a particular sporting event. This is a period when the three major tribes in Nigeria unites likewise Christian and Muslim sees themselves as one. But the emergence of foreign league today has really hijacked the love and passions that our people has towards our local clubs and even National team. Gone are the days when the stadium is always full to the brim whenever there is a football match between our clubside like Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Rangers, Julius Berger e.t.c. Even the so called “Supporters Club” of our local clubs has turned themselves to an “agent of Man.U, Gunners, Blues, Red Devil” and the likes. Our Youths today are so current in matches and transfer deals of these so called clubside than what is happening in their environment. Some youth would rather endure hunger so that the last N50 in their pocket could be used to buy a ticket at the football viewing centre popularly called “Stadium”. Many lives have gone and properties destroyed in the name of watching foreign clubs playing, the recent clash between Man United and Barcelona was the best example which le to the death of two people in Lagos as a result of the baseless argument that ensued among the fans of the two clubsides. I even heard a case of a father and son in Ibadan where the so called father beat his son to a comma simply because his son’s club defeated his own club in the football match. I think the statement that “ European gave African Independence,but their actions and activities still dominates the entire African Society” is becoming true or why should we divert all our attention and resources to a place to the extent of harming each other. Adequate care must be taken so that the prophecy that "football (especially foreign league) might likely cause the third world war" will not come to pass.
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Olaniran, Olawale Sunday is the author of the popular book ‘Nigeria So Far’. He can be reached on (234) 07033955770 and (234) 08054031719. E-mail: xundey22@yahoo.com Website: www.olawaleolaniran.blogspot.com

TAIWO AKINKUNMI Clocks 73-Deserves National Award

Nigeria is no doubt the giant of Africa in terms of human and material resources. When we are talking about history of Nigeria today, it is not yet complete if one fails to mention the symbol of Nigeria in the place of “National Flag” which was designed in the colour green-white-green. Talking about National flag without mentioning the hand that designed it is like acknowledging the mere ingredients in the soup without referencing the hands that prepared it. Taiwo Akinkunmi has indeed registered his name with an indelible mark that can never be erased in the history of Nigeria by putting together the unique colour of the flag which really granted independence to Nigeria in 1960.
Saturday 30th of May, 2009 was very historic in the life of the man fired with patriotic zeal who gave his country its flag. It was a day of joy and appreciation to God as Akinkunmi clocks 73. A visit was made to his residence on 29th of May, 2009 (Democracy Day) and Baba used the avenue to give thanks to God for sparing his life. He also thanks some eminent Nigerians and organizations who showed him care when he needed it most. Among them are ALTIMA COMMUNICATION (The organizer of “who should be a millionaire T.V. Programme sponsored by MTN), Oodua Investment Ltd., Broadcast Media (both print and electronic) e.t.c. Baba Akinkunmi used the occasion to thank Almighty God for the privilege to witness his 73rd birthday on earth and also used the occasion to appeal to Nigerian Leaders that they should allow the dividend of Democracy to flow to the people at the grassroots. Despite the abundant natural resources of Nigeria, over 60% Nigerians are still experiencing what we can call abject poverty, even those who have spent their apex years serving the Nation could not boast of three square meal after their retirement. Democracies that suppose to bring relief to the people have now turned to an avenue of the few privileged that are in power and living big at the expense of the ruled, he lamented.
Taiwo Akinkunmi who hailed from Owu in Abeokuta, Ogun State was a Student of Norwich Technical College, England when he saw the advertisement in the national daily that the entry was going on for Nigerian National Flag. Akinkunmi, who was a student of Agric Engineering then got the zeal to contribute to the independence of his fatherland quickly prepared his entry and sent it to Lagos where his entry was eventually picked in 1958 as the best and the flag was used to celebrate independent Nigeria on October 1, 1960 when the Union Jack (British Flag) was lowered for Nigeria Flag in the colour green white green to take its place on air.
Taiwo Akinkunmi though still living in penury believed that gradually Nigeria is gaining her image back as a sovereign state since 1999 when we switched back to democratic system of government. He further added that Nigeria can only gain a full stature of a democratic state if all joins hands together to fight corruption and elevate justice, equity and human right which are the bedrock of democracy.
Akinkunmi who have received numerous award from both individual and organizations is presently living in Ibadan and he’s looking forward to a day that Federal government would deem it fit to honor him with National Award.
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Olaniran, Olawale Sunday is the author of the popular book ‘Nigeria So Far’. He can be reached on (234) 07033955770 and (234) 08054031719. E-mail: xundey22@yahoo.com Website: www.olawaleolaniran.blogspot.com