Talent Discovery Can rejuvenate Nigerian Sport

Alhaji Alebiosu bent on sport development

By Damilola Towobola

victorious Zambian team

 The decrying state of sporting activities in Nigeria needs a messiah to turn around things in the deteriorating sporting arena. It was really unfortunate to watch the African Cup of Nations with the self acclaimed Giant of African, Nigeria not hoisting its flag in Africans biggest competition.

The African Cup of Nations, AFCON, was a tale of many surprises as favorites stumbled… Senegal that has a potential striker in the name of Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse both of Newcastle football club of England could not win a match. The too confident Ghanaian team was a Shadow of themselves as they were defeated by the Chipolopolo of Zambia in the semi- finally and also beaten in the 3^rd place match by Mali. The star studded Ivorian team was shocked as Zambia defeated them in the penalty shoot-out to claim Africa’s most coveted trophy.

keshi

Zambian’s 2012 African Cup of Nations feat brings to fore the catastrophe that rocked the Chipolopolo in 1993 when the 1993 Zambian Squad crashed with no survivor among the 30 on board, it is a bad memory which every Zambian and football loving fans would not like to recollect.

  

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi during a chat recently as hostilities were going on in the AFCON, stated that Eagles were no more the Giants of Africa. In his top ten African teams, Nigeria was actually missing and that shows the degradation of our sport. He was so candid in his selection with Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Gabon, Zambia, Guinea, Mali,    Tunisia, Morroco and Senegal making his top ten team.

  It is vivid that if Keshi was given the opportunity to go ahead to mention five more, Nigeria would still be missing because we have to ask where the likes of Angola, Egypt, Cameroon,Togo, Bukina Faso, Algeria and many more stands. The Angolans aren’t a push over because they stopped Eagles from going to the last World Cup.

  

Keshi conceded to the fact that the Eagles have not been measuring up to standard for the past 12 years and was quick to suggest ways he would deplore to bring back the lost glory of the Eagles stressing that with more time; the Eagles would be a formidable team to pose a threat in Africa and the world at large.

Ayew

  If we can all recall, the success of the then Green Eagles can be attributed to grassroots discovery of players; we had lots of talent oriented generating competitions like the vibrant “Principal Cup”.

  

We must commend well meaning Nigerians that has so far been dedicated to the development of the game of soccer in the grassroots, Alhaji Lateef Adegbuyi Alebiosu, immediate past president, Nigerian Institute of Safety professionals, founder Safety Club of Nigeria and publisher, Safety Records popularly known as ‘Baba Safety’ has made it a yearly ritual on his birthday to organize football matches (Alhaji L.A Alebiosu birthday football competition) for all public and private primary schools in Ijebu Ode, with the aim of discovering, harnessing likewise engraving safety consciousness in the mind of the Primary school students.

Alhaji L.A Alebiosu

As we all know, a sporting individual has much tendency of living much healthier because Sport is a form of exercise which helps in keeping the body fit, so “Baba Safety’s” incorporated competition’s benefit cannot be quantified.

Keshi has likewise pointed at the need to start grooming local players and evolving a discernible pattern. He further stated that the way forward is to have a vision and let the players know what direction; we want them to go, not just to have them show up a few days and just play to win matches.

I once did “Bend down Select” Shows - Don Funky

Don funky is one of the very few promising prospect we have in the entertainment industry at present, he is the jovial type that can make audience laugh off their ribs as he dexterously mixes anchoring events with fusion of comedy as an interlude. Damilola Towobola, caught up with him in an event and he was just on point. Enjoy the excerpt.

Don Funky is gradually becoming a household name; can we get to know events you have anchored so far?

I have participated in many class events and “bend down select” events…laughs, (which M.C fit boast say, he no do bend down select show, make he raise up him hand). hmmm, you know, I cannot actually remember all since am not an individual that only anchors one show in a year, I participated in 24 hours with 9ice in Ibadan, I am the official M.C of ladies Night in Millennium suites and Perfect garden which holds every Wednesday, I anchored Rhythm Children’s day and many more. If you insist I have to mention everything, you would sleep and wake up and I would keep on mentioning events I have been to.

Can we get to know the Challenges so far?

If you see a man that says he does not have challenges in life, if you can run please don’t hesitate, he or she must be a living corpse…imagine, even President Goodluck Jonathan that spends millions to eat in a day, has Boko Haram challenges on his neck. The challenges I have so far is trying to be on top of my game as the most funkiest.

Who are your role models in the industry?

I don’t have a role model but I have those I admire, people like A.Y, I go die, Gordon etc. It’s not as if I photocopy them but don’t tell my fans, I love their style. Did I just mention “I love their style?” (Laughs)

Who is Don Funky?

My name is Okoye C. Maxwell popularly known as Don Funky… Basically Don Funky is a Master of all Ceremony with a fusion of a little comedy. I started in 2008, my integration into the industry started like a joke but along the line I took it as a profession.

What advice do you have for those who feel like doing what u do?

They should believe in themselves and keep working hard, they should have the mindset that they are the best the world has ever seen.

What should people expect from Don Funky soonest?

I have a plan of coming up with a television program, so I want you all to fold your arms and expect to see this on your T. V screen soon. I don’t want you to ask for the name of the program yet because you people, the media seems to be too inquisitive (Una for dey wear police Uniform, only thing be say I no go give you 20 naira). Don’t mind me as we were saying the program would stun Nigerians when it’s on T.V, so you should expect the very best of Don Funky.

What do you set to achieve soonest?

I got a lot on my mind…if I were asked this within my committee of friends, I would stand up, beat my chest and say that I would outwit Basket Mouth any day anytime… (Laughs), Basket Mouth is someone I also respect. “Bros Akpos, I dey hail o”. Basically, what I set out to achieve soonest is beating the very best in the industry and becoming the best. 

ASUU Strike Suspended

Students in wild celebration

Parlysed Universities to ressurect

By Damilola Towobola

Awuzie

Academic Staff Union of Universities has called off its strike action after its consultation with individual striking universities on the offer made by the Federal Government.

ASUU had been on strike for over two months now demanding increased funding for universities as well as increased wages and retirement age for members from 65 to 70 years.

A reliable source told Spaiz Media that the leadership of the union under Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie has finished consultations with members as at Monday and members have accepted government's offer even though he refused to state what had been offered.

Professor Awuzie pronounced the suspension the strike action on Wednesday1st of February 2012.

Spaiz media recalls that the Senate has already amended the provisions of retirement from 65 to 70 years and this might have also encouraged the lecturers to call off the strike.

President of Asuu, Awuzie after their last meeting with Federal Government had stated that the issue will be resolved very soon. He expressed satisfaction over the level of Federal Government’s commitment to the contending issues saying that, “If we fought there, you won’t see us smiling. All of us are patriots. We are talking about one thing: the good of the education sector in Nigeria. There are no adversaries in this matter. There are no winners. There are no losers. That is why we should work together

Reacting to this new development, Nigerian Students on their social website had expressed their delight stating that boredom has almost killed them during the life span of the strike action which had paralysed school activities