OPERATIVES of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) says it has agreed to strengthen partnership on traffic management in Lagos with the Nigerian Army.
This development was at the core of the incidents that happened between Army officers and a LASTMA official who was on traffic enforcement duty.
A statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, on Tuesday, August 15, said the operatives would continue to rely on continuous support from the Nigerian Army and other security agencies across the State.
The video, which was circulated on August 8 on social media, showed the face-off between the two security forces, with a LASTMA official seen using a wooden object against a soldier who had initially hit the official with his hand.
Subsequently, on Monday, August 14, another video emerged, capturing a distressing scene where about seven individuals in Army uniform were seen assaulting the LASTMA official. The masked soldiers, suspected to be on a revenge mission, mobbed the official before leaving the scene.
Reacting to this during a working visit by Officials of the 9 Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army, the General Manager of LASTMA Bolaji Oreagba, maintained that the organisation “won’t abuse the relationship nor take the cordiality and warm friendliness which has existed between the Army and Lastma for granted.”
Although, he described the incident as unfortunate, Oreagba said there is no love lost between the two agencies, adding that Lastma personnel would continue to rely on continuous support from the Nigerian Army and other security agencies across the State.
He emphasized that the recurrence of such incidents would be prevented through the continued utilisation of established communication channels, stating that additional new hotlines will be explored by the two agencies always to resolve issues.
In his speech, the Commander of the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Adegoke Moses Adetuyi, stressed the importance of unity among security agencies to prevent the success of negative elements.
He also called for improved collaboration among government bodies, including Lastma, to achieve this goal.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army had on Monday, August 14, described the clash between soldiers and officials LASTMA, as disturbing.
The force spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu said, “I must say it is very disturbing that soldiers/LASTMA conflict is now one too many.
“The authorities of the Nigerian Army are genuinely concerned and are embarking on vigorous sensitisation campaign to educate our personnel on the need to ensure compliance with traffic rules and promote synergy and interagency cooperation in Lagos State and around the country.”
However, in their statements, the two agencies did not clearly indicate whether the officers involved would face disciplinary measures or not.
THE LATEST data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on the Consumer Price Index has shown that Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 24.08 per cent in July 2023.
The CPI measures the average change over time in the prices of goods and services people consume for day-to-day living.
The ICIR findings showed that this is the highest rate reported in 15 years since 2009 and the seventh consecutive increase in 2023. Also, additional findings showed that the last time Nigeria recorded an inflation rate above 24 per cent was in September 2005.
According to NBS, the rate is 1.29 per cent higher when compared to June 2023 headline inflation rate which was 22.79 per cent.
The NBS said, “On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 4.44 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in July 2022, which was 19.64 per cent. This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in July 2023 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., July 2022).”
NBS also disclosed that the urban inflation rate stood at 25.83 per cent, while rural inflation was 22.49 per cent.
Oil, Bread increases food inflation
The bureau also published that the food inflation rate in July 2023 was 26.98 per cent.
It said, “On a year-on-year basis, which was 4.97 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in July 2022 (22.02 per cent). On a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in July 2023 was 3.45 cent, this was 1.06 per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in June 2023 (2.40 per cent).”
The rise in food inflation, according to the data, was caused by increases in prices of Oil and fat, Bread and cereals, Fish, Potatoes, Yam and other tubers, Fruits, Meat, Vegetable, Milk, Cheese, and Eggs.
The ICIR had reported how unsettling policies of the federal government contribute to the increase in the inflation rate.
THE Federal Government, on Tuesday, August 15, filed fresh charges against Suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele in Abuja.
This was disclosed to journalists after the day’s proceedings by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Bakodo Abubakar.
Abubakar said the fresh charges – with 20 counts – were filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
One of the counts accuses Emefiele of “conferring unlawful advantages”.
Earlier, the Federal government applied to withdraw the “illegal possession of firearms” case it filed against Godwin Emefiele at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
Abubakar, who made the application orally, informed the judge, Nicholas Oweibo that the application followed the result of further investigations.
Emefiele’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), opposed the application, arguing that because the government disobeyed the court’s order granting Emefiele bail, its application could not be taken.
The judge, Oweibo adjourned till Thursday, August 17, 2023, to rule on the application.
The ICIRreported on July 25 that the Federal High Court in Lagos had granted bail to Emefiele in his alleged gun possession trial.
Oweibo released Emefiele on a N20 million bail bond, with one surety in the like sum.
The accused person was arraigned on two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The judge rejected the Federal government’s argument that Emefiele posed a flight risk, saying the government had not presented any evidence to support its assertion.
Previous judgment
A High Court in Abuja on July 14 nullified the arrest, detention and interrogation of Emefiele by the DSS.
The court, presided by Bello Kawu, ordered Emefiele’s release and described his arrest and detention as illegal.
Emefiele had filed a motion against his arrest and detention with the Incorporated Trustees of Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector-General of Police, State Security Service (SSS), and the Central Bank of Nigeria as respondents.
Kawu, delivering judgment, held that the arrest, detention and interrogation of the former CBN governor violated the subsisting decision and orders of a judge, M. A. Hassan in Suit No. FCT/HC/GAR/CV/41/2022.
The court also granted an injunction restraining the security agencies, particularly the DSS, from interfering with his liberty and freedom of movement or taking other steps against him.
The judgment came barely 24 hours after another High Court in Abuja had ordered the release of Emefiele.
THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it is taking decisive action to stabilise the naira against the dollar and to sanction foreign exchange speculators and black market operators supposedly influencing the loss in naira value.
The acting governor, Folasodun Sonubi, told journalists at the state house on Monday, August 14, after meeting with the President, Bola Tinubu, to brief him on what the bank is doing to halt the depreciation of the naira further.
The apex bank had floated the exchange rate, sharply dropping the naira against other foreign currencies.
The effects are an increasing cost of living, higher operating costs for businesses and a shrink in general economic activity.
A recent report by The ICIR disclosed that illegal operators in the foreign exchange market allegedly influence and manipulate the market, riding on poor insufficient dollars to the Nigerian economy.
Experts have faulted the exchange rate unification policy as unthought-out, having loopholes for speculators and black market operators to hijack the system.
Sonubi, however, said the banks were actively working to improve liquidity and stability, including addressing issues in the parallel market.
According to him, the apex bank is developing initiatives that can potentially lead to significant losses for speculators and black marketers.
“Mr President is very concerned about some of the goings on in the foreign exchange market. One of the things we discussed is what could be done to stabilise and what could be done to improve the liquidity in the market and also the goings on in the various other markets, including the parallel market.
“He is concerned about its impact on the average person since; unfortunately, a lot of activities that we do, which are purely local, are still referenced to exchange rates in the parallel market,” Sonubi said.
Although the acting governor did not reveal the steps the bank is taking to hurt the continuous depreciation of the naira, he asserted that the official market (I&E window) has been relatively stable, and the spreads of the difference have not fluctuated as much.
“We do not believe that the changes going on in the parallel market are driven by pure economic demand and supply but are touched by speculative demand from people.
“Some of the plans and strategies, which I’m not at liberty to share with you, means sooner rather than later, the speculators should be careful because we believe the things we’re doing, when they come to fruition, may result in significant losses to them,” he stressed.
Sonubi also said what the CBN was doing would significantly impact the market in a few days.
“The intention is to ensure the environment operates at a level that’s more efficient, but also that is also very reasonable and does not have a negative impact to the best that we can on the lives of the average person,” he added.
A new debutant of the Nigeria Professional Football League, (NPFL) club side, Sporting Lagos’ stadium is 80 percent near completion, The ICIR learnt.
Sporting Lagos gained promotion from the second-tier league, Nigeria National League (NNL) to the top-flights league (NPFL) after they garnered the maximum points from the (NNL) Super 8 playoff held in Asaba.
In an interview (Read it here) with the The ICIR, the club’s Chairman, GodwinEnakhena expressed the club’s readiness ahead of the 2023/2024 Nigeria’s top-flight league season, disclosing the club has begun construction of their own stadium inside Landmark in Victoria Island.
“We are building our stadium inside Landmark in Victoria Island,” he said.
He added, “It is 85 per cent complete, so it means we will not have to beg anybody for a stadium.”
The chairman absolved Sporting Lagos promotion to the top-flight league as sheer luck, separating the operations of the club from previous clubs who have gained promotion into the top-flight league in Lagos.
He added that the club was established for youth reposition coupled with a corporate business model, saying the club prioritised the value it offers to football fans.
“The previous clubs in Lagos were not set for business. Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) FC was not set up for business. Julius Berger was just CSR; things like that do not last, but this is a business model from the get-go.
“Football is big business, and it is about competition. You must give something to the fans. Nigerians want to watch football. You have to give them a reason to come to the stadium, a value for money and their time,” he said.
During the stint of the MFM FC in the top-flight league from 2016 to 2021, they played all their home matches at the Agege Township stadium.
But, since 2021, stadia like Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Agege Township Stadium and TTC Stadium in Ifako Ijaye have been sealed for rehabilitation.
Due to the rehabilitation of the major stadia in Lagos, some clubs in the second and third-tier leagues have been left to manage the major available ones which are Onikan stadium and Legacy pitch which is inside the National Stadium in Surulere in Lagos.
The Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku, told The ICIR that five stadia are under construction and eight new ones will be completed in the first quarter of 2024.
“We have 13 facilities. We are rehabilitating all the ones that have been dilapidated, and we are building eight brand-new ones. Five are ready on their way, and we believe that at the end of the first quarter of next year, the other few will have started.
“So, by the time we finish the entire project, we will have 21 facilities. They are multifaceted, and they spread across Lagos from Ifako Ijaiye to Epe to Ikorodu.
“The whole idea is to ensure that facilities are available to Lagosian and talents can have a way and platform to express themselves,” he said.
A NIGERIAN Air Force MI-171 aircraft on a casualty evacuation mission crashed near Chukuba Village in Niger state.
The aircraft, which crashed on Monday, August 14, at about 1 p.m., was on its way to Kaduna from Niger state.
However, as of the time of this report, the number of individuals on board and their condition remained unknown.
The NAF spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, confirming the incident said efforts are currently ongoing to rescue the crew and passengers onboard.
“The aircraft had departed Zungeru Primary School enroute Kaduna but was later discovered to have crashed near Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to rescue the crew and passengers on board the helicopter, while preliminary investigations have commenced to determine the probable cause of the crash,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, this was not the first time the Nigerian Air Force would crash in recent times as The ICIR on July 14, 2023, reported that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) FT-7NI trainer aircraft crashed in Makurdi, Benue State capital, while on a routine training exercise.
According to Gabkwet, two pilots onboard the aircraft survived and were being observed in a military facility.
He said: “Luckily, the two pilots on board survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft. Additionally, there was no loss of lives or damage to any property around the area of impact.
Similarly, on May 30, The ICIRreported that Nigeria, under former President Muhammadu Buhari experienced a series of military air crashes.
Data garnered from media reports in the last seven years shows that the incidents resulted in the loss of 14 aircraft and claimed the lives of 35 people, including civilians and military personnel.
The report also noted that the crashes also imposed significant financial costs on the military and diminished the number of operational aircraft in its fleet.
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Lagos Zonal Command has facilitated the extradition of two siblings to the United States of America on Sunday, August 13, to face prosecution for sexual exploitation of children.
The siblings are Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20.
They are alleged to have extorted numerous young men and teenage boys in the Western District of Michigan and across the U.S.
The EFCC said it has, sometime in May 2023, initiated the extradition proceedings at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, against the Ogoshis alongside one Ezekiel Ejemeh Robert over-exploitation of minors and production of pornography, following a request by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The Ogoshis and Ezekiel were indicted in a United States Federal Court on December 1, 2022, on charges of exploitation of minors, resulting in death, conspiracy to sexually exploit minors by causing the minors to produce child pornographic images that the defendants now use to blackmail them.
They are further charged with conspiracy to distribute child pornography, which borders on sending images to minors, their families and friends, as well as conspiracy to commit stalking through the Internet.
The offences carry a minimum of five years and maximum 20 years imprisonment.
According to a statement signed by EFCC Spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren on Monday, August 14, Samuel was charged with causing the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay of Marquette, Michigan, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in March 2022.
EFCC added that investigations showed that the suspects conspired to conduct sex-based extortion of minors and adults in the United States of America.
“The trio allegedly hacked some social media accounts, posing to be young attractive women to entice unsuspecting victims to send their sexually explicit photographs.
“These pictures were then used to blackmail the victims, thereby forcing them into making huge financial payments,’ the EFCC stated.
The anti-fraud agency further said while the Ogoshi’s were arrested sometime in February 2023 around the Ojo axis of Lagos, Ezekiel was picked up in Nasarawa by operatives of the EFCC.
However, the third defendant, Robert, extradition is still pending.
IN a bid to foster insightful analysis and discussions on life and politics across the African continent, Ufahamu Africa is calling for applications for their nine-month non-resident fellowship.
The fellowship aims to bring together a diverse group of researchers, journalists, practitioners, and podcasters passionate about contributing to disseminating cutting-edge narratives.
Selected fellows will be granted the unique opportunity to actively engage in content creation and dissemination through podcast episodes, guest hosting, and partnership building with other content producers. The fellowship period will run from October 2023 to May 2024, providing ample time for participants to delve deep into their chosen subjects.
Fellows will be responsible for producing four podcast episodes during the fellowship term. These episodes will cover a range of topics related to African life and politics, reflecting the rich diversity and complexity of the continent. Fellows will also be integrated into the editorial team, actively shaping the content of the upcoming season 8, proposing dissemination strategies, forming mashup partnerships, and contributing to other podcast production decisions.
A stipend of USD 3,500 will be allocated to fellows to support their participation. This stipend is intended to offset internet data costs and acknowledge the time and effort fellows invest in the fellowship.
Beyond the fellowship experience, participants will gain access to a network of connections and opportunities. These connections will enable them to participate in annual research grant competitions, virtual and in-person gatherings, training workshops, and other enriching activities.
Ufahamu Africa’s non-resident fellowship represents a unique chance for content creators, researchers, and podcasters to contribute meaningfully to discussions about Africa’s intricate socio-political landscape. The application process is now open, and interested individuals are encouraged to seize this opportunity to contribute their perspectives and insights to the continent’s narrative.
The deadline for the submission of the application is August 30, 2023. Interested individuals can apply here
KILLINGS by non-state actors have continued unabated in many places in Nigeria several weeks into President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In 45 days between May 29 and July 13, 2023, over 600 people had been killed by non-state actors across the country.
According to data, the killings happened primarily from activities of bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, ethnic militias, armed robbers and other non-state actors.
Data from SBM Intelligence, an analysis platform, revealed that about 629 Nigerians were killed in the last 45 days under President Tinubu.
Other data from the Council on Foreign Relations’ Nigeria Security Tracker (NST) and media reports checked by The ICIR showed that non-state actors killed 587 people within the same period.
President Bola Tinubu during his inauguration.
In May, The ICIR published reports highlighting the key insecurity issues confronting the Muhammadu Buhari administration and another listingthings Tinubu must do to address insecurity.
highlights of promises made by Tinubu on security
In his victory speech after securing the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket in June 2022, Tinubu promised a secure, prosperous, united Nigeria if he won the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu said he was ready to unite the nation, provide security, revamp the economy and create wealth.
He also promised to eliminate criminals, including terrorists.
“They have been worrying us, but we will eliminate them. We are Nigerians. We are sure that no animal in the darkness of the night, no intruders, no destroyers, can bring Nigeria backwards. Forward we are moving,” he said.
Tinubu, while delivering his inaugural speech as President amid cheers from his supporters on Monday, May 29, at Eagle Square in Abuja, outlined the key initiatives to be anticipated from his administration and pledgedto prioritise security and effectively tackle the menace of insecurity.
“Security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.
“To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform our security doctrine and its architecture.
“We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide better training, equipment, pay and firepower,” Tinubu stated.
What data say
Despite the promise made by the President to hit the ground running, data from various sources showed that the insecurity issues is yet to improve under Tinubu’s administration.
Disaggregating the data
A further look at the data from the SBM Intelligence revealed that in May, 38 people were killed by non-state actors between May 29 and May 31, 541 in June, and 50 as of July 13.
Killings by non-state actors per region
North Central: 261
North East: 162
North West: 134
South East: 23
South West: 28
South-South: 21
A breakdown of the data per state shows that Plateau has the highest number of casualties with 111, followed by Borno, 96; Niger, 76; Benue, 69; Zamfara, 67; Taraba, 60; and Sokoto, 51.
Others are Lagos, 13; Kaduna, 11; Rivers and Anambra, 9, Ogun, 8; Ebonyi, 7; and Imo and Delta, 6.
Other states had less than five casualties, while states like Osun, Kano and Jigawa recorded zero losses within this period.
In total, 629 casualties were documented from actions of non-state actors from May 29 to July 13.
NST/Media reports
Data from NST/Media reports showed that 39 persons were killed from May 29 to May 31, 444 in June, and 104 as of July 13, totalling 587 deaths recorded.
Plateau had the highest number of casualties with 145 deaths, Benue 68; Zamfara, 57; Sokoto, 55; Imo, 53; Niger and Borno, 51; and Taraba, 50.
Governor of Plateau State Caleb Mutfwang
Additional data
A recent report by a civil society organisation, Global Rights Nigeria, revealed that at least 555 people had been killed and 267 others abducted six weeks after President Tinubu took office.
The Country Manager of Global Rights Nigeria, Edosa Oviawe, while presenting a paper on realities of mass atrocities at a two-day ‘Conflict Sensitive Reporting Training for Journalists’ programme in Abuja, said the findings were based on reports from the media, civil society groups and security agencies.
Also, in a report published on June 14, Amnesty International (AI) said more than 120 people were killed a few days after Tinubu assumed power.
“It is horrific. Gunmen attacks have claimed at least 123 lives mere weeks after President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29. Rural communities, always bracing for the next bout of violence, faced deadly attacks by rampaging killers. Protecting lives should be the utmost priority of the new government. The Nigerian authorities must urgently take steps to stop the bloodletting.
“The brazen failure of the authorities to protect the people of Nigeria is gradually becoming the norm in the country. The government said it will enact security measures in response to these attacks, but these promises have not translated into meaningful action that protects the lives of vulnerable communities,” Amnesty International’s Acting Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, said concerning the report.
Some major incidents under Tinubu as President
May
Four persons were reportedly killedon Monday, May 29, with two of them beheaded by gunmen who invaded the Rundele community in Emohua Local Council of Rivers State.
Bandits on May 30 killed25 people in three separate attacks in the Kanoma district of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Gunmen suspected to be cultists invaded two communities in the Ahoada East and Ahoada West local government areas of Rivers State on Wednesday, May 31, killing six persons.
June
The Makurdi branch of Shitile Development Association (SDA), Benue State, in a letter of intervention written to the state government and signed by its President, Door Samuel, and secretary general, Zuai Ephraim, said at least 40 people were killed in separate attacks carried out simultaneously on June 4 in several communities of the Katsina-Ala local government area of the state.
Samuel stated that after the dust settled on the June 4 shooting by gunmen at Imande Mbakange village market in Mbacher council ward, a total of 28 people had been killed.
The group added that on the same day, in Michihe council ward, six other people were slaughtered, while another six on the same night were killed at Achamegh village, Mbagene Kpav, bringing the total number of those killed to 40 in just one night.
Bandits killed no fewer than 50 people in Gwadabawa and Tangaza local government areas of Sokoto state in June for refusing to pay illegal levies imposed on them.
In another incident, attacks by bandits on the villages of Janbako and Sakida in Maradun local government area, Zamfara State, resulted in the death of 31 persons and injuries to many others.
At least 13 persons were also killed in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State on June 10 in a retaliatory attack between herders and farming communities.
The incident happened after five herders were killed in Rawu village earlier.
According to reports, bandits in Niger State’s Rafi local government area slaughtered 25 farmers and kidnapped several women and girls from different areas.
According to reports, the incident happened in five communities.
July
On Sunday, July 2, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas imposed a 24-hour curfew on Karim town and its surroundings in Karim Lamido local government area.
The curfew followed a communal clash between the Wurkuns and the Karimjos in the LGA, where at least 50 people died.
A total of 24 people were killedon Saturday, July 8, when armed men entered the Zaki Akpuuna 1 and Diom towns in the Mbaterem district of the Ukum local government area of Benue State.
The way forward…
Commenting on the data on incessant killings in the country, a security analyst with SBM Intelligence, Emeka Okoro, said the killings in Nigeria have continued despite a new administration due to various complex factors.
Okoro said the killing in Nigeria is multifaceted and influenced by factors such as:
1. Ethnic and religious tensions.
2. Insurgencies and terrorism.
3. Inadequate security infrastructure.
5. Socio-economic factors.
6. Political tensions, frictions from political competition, and power struggles can sometimes spill over into violence. Pre- and post-election periods have historically been accompanied by an upsurge in politically motivated violence in Nigeria.
“Addressing these complex issues requires a multifaceted approach, including improved security infrastructure, effective governance, social cohesion, economic development, and peace-building efforts.
“However, comprehensive and sustainable solutions will require political will and concerted efforts both within Nigeria and from the international community,” the security analyst stated.
FOOTBALL administration in Nigeria has suffered setbacks owing to the hands saddled with the responsibilities. In an interview with The ICIR, Godwin Enakhena, the Chairman of a newly promoted club, Sporting Lagos, from the country’s second division league, knowns as Nigeria National League(NNL) to the top-flight league- Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) spoke on how his club has been making economic fortunes from the league.
The ICIR: What exactly can be done to the football administration in Nigeria to produce quality results?
Enakhena: I always say that the first to do if you want a result is to fix Nigeria. If you do not fix Nigeria, we are just wasting time. In my little way, I make a difference and we can all see it with Sporting Lagos.
The ICIR: Lagos has experienced many clubs who have brought premier league matches from the days of Julius Berger, but they don’t last long, is Sporting Lagos staying for long?
Enakhena: The previous clubs in Lagos were not set for business. MFM FC was not set up for business. Julius Berger was just corporate social responsibility (CSR); things like that do not last, but this (Sporting Lagos) is a business model from the get-go. We are building our stadium inside Landmark in Victoria Island, it is 85 per cent complete, so it means, we will not have to beg anybody for a stadium.
So sustainability was even before the club was formed. The owners knew what they wanted and these guys are tech people in their 30s. They are start-ups kings.
Government clubs don’t have accountability, they just spend.
The ICIR: Congratulations, Sporting Lagos FC just got promotion in the NPFL, are there plans to get new players ahead of the new season?
Enakhena: In football, you can never have enough. Manchester City and United are buying players every day. There is no exemption here.
Just like I said, it is the job of the coach to know where he got challenges and to do what he has to do to ensure that he has a formidable team.
The job of the coach to know where he got challenges and to do what he has to do to ensure that he has a formidable team.
The Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL is not the same as the Nigeria National League, NNL. They are two different ball games, even though I believe that the NNL is tougher.
Definitely, from my understanding of the game, we find that there are some loopholes that we need to fill and I know the coaches are working on that.
Yes, we are going to recruit more players to fortify us for next season.
Sporting Lagos celebrates as champions of the Naija Super 8. Photo via Sporting Lagos
The ICIR: What has been the magic of your success as a football administrator?
Enakhena: Like I have told people there is no magic, it is putting God first, and number two, the experience will always come to bear. My attitude toward doing things is never to say fail.
Commitment and dedication you can never buy with money. I always believe that whatever I set my mind to, whatever I do and put in every of my dime, knowing that God makes everything perfect. So my secrets are hard work, dedication, commitment, focus and asking God to take control.
The ICIR: How do you discover talent?
Enakhena: Discovering talents is not the job of a club chairman. The job of a club chairman is purely administration.
Well, the first to do as a club chairman is to get a good coach and get maybe a good backroom staff. When you put these together, it is now the job of the coaches majorly to get quality players. So, the coach gets the credit because if you get a bad coach, you are going to get a bad team.
The ICIR: Sporting Lagos home matches attract fans to the stadium. What is the brain behind it?
Enakhena: You know football is about entertainment but, sadly, in Nigeria’s football league, most of the clubs are run by governors for CSR, and sometimes publicity.
So, government, we all know is not in the business of making a profit. It is in the business to render services. We have some young people who have come together to say they want to do business with football and to engage in the business of football, so you must think of what can bring the fans to the stadium, what can make them choose you ahead of every other thing.
So, each time fans come to watch Sporting Lagos, they do not know who is going to be the musician or performer, and there is also the kick about. Different things that will put money into your pocket.
Imagine a fan coming to the stadium to watch football, and he or she goes home with N100,000; that is a big deal. So, you come to the stadium, and you are going back with a vuvuzela and flag for free.
Also, when Sporting Lagos plays, there are no areas for thugs because security is top-notch. Football is big business, and it is about competition. You must give something to the fans. Nigerians want to watch football. You have to give them a reason to come to the stadium; a value for money and their time.
The ICIR: In 2016, Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM FC) brought the Premier League to Lagos; fast forward to 2023, Sporting Lagos is doing the same, and you were involved in the two clubs; what does that mean to your career?
Enakhena: I do not know what is my career. I am a journalist first and foremost, and that is what I will do until I die. Sports administration is a side hustle for me. What gives me money is journalism, not administration.
Before MFM, I organised a lot of grassroots competitions. MFM just gave me the platform to move a lot higher, and one thing I can not throw away is the experience I gathered from that top-level managing MFM football club.
So that stood me in good stead when I got the Sporting Lagos job. There are two different propositions. MFM was just youth repositioning, non-profit, while Sporting Lagos is strictly business.
There are two different propositions. MFM was just youth repositioning, non-profit, while Sporting Lagos is strictly business.
So that is the difference between MFM and Sporting Lagos but the truth is both of them are getting the youth engaged in profitable ventures, giving them opportunities to play football.
I always try to do things differently, my mum taught me something, she used to say, “The moment you can do what everybody can do with ease, that means you are nobody.” So I try to do what people can do, but I will do mine in one day, and they will do theirs in one week.
You know that it takes a lot of effort, commitment, and asking questions which is one of my strong points. I love to ask those who have been there before me. I used to call Rasheed Balogun, the late General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club(3SC) in Ibadan and Dominic Iorfa. So I marry everything I got and take the ones that I like.
So that is one of the things that I have been able to do.
Chisom Orji playing for Sporting Lagos. Photo Sporting Lagos.
The ICIR: You talked about the football business. Can you share how the business acumen of sporting Lagos?
Enakhena: Sporting Lagos is a baby of 16 months. You have to crawl before you start running. The good thing about it is that Shola Akinlade (owner of Sporting Lagos) has bought a club in Denmark, which means every year, as a matter of policy – has happened this year – a minimum of 2-3 best players in Sporting Lagos will be going to Denmark.
As a matter of policy – has happened this year – a minimum of 2-3 best players in Sporting Lagos will be going to Denmark.
This is the beginning of a bigger window to a bigger European market, so this is the number one side of the business.
Number 2, during match day, I never thought it would happen in my lifetime in the NNL, not even if in the premier league, some person would come and pay N500,000 to come and see our games.
I never thought that some person would pay N500,000. We have seven booths at the Onikan stadium. Inside the booth, there is a TV, AC, choice of wine and food. If you put N500,000 by 7 booths, that is N3.5M from the booths, that is minus sponsorship, gate tickets and souvenirs. It is one step at a time, and we will surely get there.
You can only sustain it (football club) by doing business. You find out that government club if they play, you will not find anybody at the stadium; they don’t care, but Sporting Lagos, without people at the stadium, then what are we doing?
The ICIR: Are the Nigeria Football Federation and League Management Company, LMC tapping your brain when it comes to football administration?
Enakhena: Let me say to you that the NFF and NPFL know what to do. They don’t need me. I am sure they know more than me, but the system has a way of handcuffing one when one is there; that is what they are battling with.
I always tell people that the problem with Nigeria does not mean that we do not know people who can fix things when you get in there; there is this thing that will teach you a lesson that this is not your property, that you are running it on behalf of the populace but this how you must do it.
So, you find the administrators struggling. Look, if a football administrator goes in front of a governor that appointed him or her on a Monday and you request for 72 months to give a result, the governor will sack the person.
So those who are appointed by the governors promise to give results quickly. So you find that the ‘win at all cost’ is caused by the governor. There is too much pressure placed on administrators to win.
At Sporting Lagos, we don’t have that. It was a youth repositioning agenda. I am boastful and said when I got the Sporting Lagos job that I would spend two years in the NNL, so it is about the person and the enabling environment to work.
The ICIR: Considering the environment you talked about, will you accept the tough NFF job?
Enakhena: The tough NFF job is not giving to anybody on a platter. I do not have billions of naira to spend. You cannot become NFF president without money. I won an election as the General Secretary of the Clubs Owners Association in Abuja. I didn’t spend one naira. So anything that will make me beg people, I won’t do it. If I think I have what it takes why should I beg anybody?
