By Dare Atoye
My intention is not to interrogate whether or not President MuhmmaduBuhari will still probe and prosecute some cabals. It is his prerogative as the President to choose his battle. We are all casualties of some security challenges facing Nigeria, and my interest is how to better utilise the cabal for national security and development. Don’t get me wrong: if Buhari decides to fight corruption with every sense of sincerity, it is obligatory that as citizens, we should all support him.
This is the time to elevate Sports as a strategic instrument for national security. It is one sector that has the reach, the psychological influence and potential to drive security, peace and national development within the shortest possible time. The recent foray of oil mogul, Dr. Patrick IfeanyiUbah, into the business of soccer has got me thinking on how we can get the rich to contribute to security through sports.
We have had very rich private individuals venturing into sports in the past, but it was done possibly for reasons other than security. We are in a world where different initiatives are developed to enhance security and development. President Buhari will have a lot going well for him if sports are prioritised to reduce our security challenges.
Let us appreciate this salient fact; any roadmap for peace and development of the Northeast without sports playing a critical role will not avail much. I dare say that the psychological prowess of sports to quickly heal the pains of the people is incomparable and not in doubt. Sports have the capacity to touch and redeem the lives of the traumatised people in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.
It is common knowledge that sports, especially football, have unarguably been a major unifying factor in Nigeria, and if not the only factor, sometimes. In essence, it is in the interest of the federal government to develop a national framework for sports as an intervention for peace, security and stability. That the President is even yet to honour or celebrate some of our sports men and women who did well in some championships is worrisome.
From the distant past and throughout history, sports have mobilized the people. Any form of sports is usually a competitive physical engagement that captivates the hearts and minds of individuals as well as the entire nations. Mr. President should take a holistic look into how sports can be effectively adapted as a strategic intervention for peace and security.
The President can convene a special summit on ‘Sports for Peace, Security and Development’. Let him invite very rich Nigerians we usually call – the cabals, to solicit for their support and invest heavily in different kinds of sports for nation-building. This must go beyond using sports as a corporate social responsibility. The essence must be compelling and reasonable enough.
Oil mogul, Roman Abramovich is the owner of Chelsea. Glazer family currently controls Manchester United and several other big clubs are owned by billionaires across Europe. Nigeria should look inward to develop the sports sector. It is also instructive for the cabals in Nigeria to know that as citizens they will spend less trying to secure businesses, families and self, if the country is secured. So it is a derived investment.
For instance, the President can appeal to someone like AlhajiiAlikoDangote, who is still trying to buy Arsenal FC of England, to also build a local club. The impact on our security and development will be significant. The like of Wale Tinubu, Femi Otedola, AbdulsamadDantata and other cabals should be encouraged to invest in sport if they are not already doing so.
In a dramatic fashion, imagine the beauty of IfeanyiUba FC slugging it out with Dangote Warriors and Otedola Lions doing battle with Abdulsamad Rangers. This will in a short time take our football league to a new height. Just imagine the rivalry of winning laurels due to ownership ego.
Imagine the number of additional businesses that will spring up to create jobs if we get these men to invest heavily in sports. Think of the happiness of more people buying their tickets ahead for weekend games for pleasure. Think of the multiplier effects of getting the nation busy and entertained through sports week in, week out.
We also need to rekindle the glorious old days of inter-house sports, inter-school sports and grassroots sports competitions that once provided a veritable platform for picking young talents. We need to return to sport as quickly as possible this time, to drive security and development.
