Be careful what you wish for

I see some Nigerians buying the idea of the United States, U.S tagging our country as 'a country of particular concern' and proposing military invasion over the alleged violence against Christians and I panicked. 

I'm worried because some, of even many of them MAY not understand what international politics is all about. 

The America coming into Nigeria on the basis of that alleged Genocide may not be what they are coming for. 

History does not favor them in that regard. 

We've seen it happen and it's happening all the time. 

In Libya, Egypt, Iraq, Iran and Palestine et al. 

It's more like a usual pattern. 

They tell the world they were coming to intervene on something beneficial to the people of that country, they somehow turned the people against the government but beneath that, they've seen something beneficial to their country or a threat to their greatness. 

If you don't accept any of those precedents, take Libya as a serious case study. 

We all know how that country was under the late Mohammed Gaddafi and we can see how it is now. 

The Libyans that gave Gaddafi for the U.S to capture him are biting their fingers now in regrets. 

Just like my Principal, Prof Salisu Ogbo Usman (the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic) said last week when we paraded suspects in Results forgery, that we are not interested in Abubakar Musa, Adejoh Faith or Mansuma Mercy Sunday who are in possession of fake Statement of Results using it to seek admission in our institution.

We are more interested in a certain Henry Tope who is the mastermind and head of syndicate producing forged statements of results, admission letters, certificates and other items used to produce illegal documents and his accomplices that are working with him from inside. 

So, with that in mind, I've been more curious to find that hidden treasure Donald Trump and his cronies may have discovered in Nigeria lately that they want to come lay claim to in disguise for helping us to fight the Insurgents or Banditry.

Or possibly, they are getting worried that we may soon bend the curve of our economic quagmire under the current administration and it could become a threat to them as Nigeria may not need their support or that of their allies to stand on her own. 

Remember, Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources and new ones have been discovered lately. 

Mind you, I'm not and will not support any kind of killing, insecurity or unrest happening in the country as it's having a direct effect on me with much worries about my family in the village or being tensed whenever I'm traveling. 

This em passe, this barbaric acts by those evil people is not done only to a certain set religion, tribe or class. No!

Everyone is feeling it. 

But I won't support any DIRECT foreign aides/support/intervention, especially from a country that has a long history with TRUST to help us fight Banditry, Insurgency or alleged religious killings. 

People should stop using religion as weapons to win political votes or gain relevance. 

It's not tidy and it's old school.

We should stop this parochial approach to handling national issues. 

We are in 2025 and some persons still believe they can still use religion or ethnicity to gain votes? Haba, please. 

Let's have faith, (I know it's a bit difficult) in the security agencies of this country, especially the military to face this minute set of evil people head one and support them with our prayers and intelligence reports/gathering. 

There are new sheriffs in town now in the Service Chiefs. 

Let's give them the benefit of the doubt that they will take it from where their predecessors left the fight by uncovering sponsors, financiers and encouragers of these ungodly killings in our country. 

My teacher, Mr. Bayour Issac does say in his closing lines after every of our Radio shows, that, "Nigeria is greater than any person of group. Don't be a saboteur, let us join hands together to make it great." 

NIGERIA may be blessed, Ameen! 

Afolabi Mustapha 

Honorable Ekene Adams sets for sports tour in Europe, United States

 

Poised to fulfil one of his campaign promises to the good people of Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency by establishing one of the best citadel of learning for Sports/Football in Africa, House of Representatives Member, Honourable Ekene Abubakar Adams is set to embark on a sports tour.

The sports tour will take the vibrant football administrator, businessman and philanthropist to three countries in Europe, (Switzerland, France, Portugal), the United States of America and Brazil.

Honourable Adams disclose to his Media Aide in a brief chat during the week in Abuja.

"After getting the greenlight from international sports consultants, I will be on a sports tour of Europe, the United States and Brazil, for the first ever Sports Development programme for Schools and Academies," said Honourable Ekene Adams.

"My travel will be towards the end of next month, as the  Green Chamber will be on its first recess for two months. I will be consulting with stakeholders and best experts in the field of football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, handball, wrestling amongst other sports.

"My first port of call, will be in Switzerland, the Zurich headquarters of the Federation of International Football  (FIFA), where I'll meeting football experts and get the required blueprints on how to develop the round leather game at school level.

"The idea of my visit to France and Portugal, is to see how they have developed their tennis, handball, wrestling and other sports, that has made them the best in the world.

"You cannot talk about basketball and not make reference to the United States. Though Europe and China are doing respectively well in the sport; however, the NBA has got a global attention as its a top brand.

"I will be interacting with experts to have a first hand knowledge about the module they have used to develop their basketball and see how we can bring the US basketball culture to Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency.

"Brazil is rated among the top 5 in volleyball and beach volleyball, with a view of growing the sport in my constituency and indeed Nigeria, arose the need to visit the Americas.

"Its my belief that our youths can be empowered via sports and aside establishing one of the best sports/football school in Africa as one my campaign promises, I have not held back in the making life meaningful to humanity. 

"I will keep providing health facilities and assistance to the needy, provide transformers to boost electricity, make soft loans available for people who are into small scale businesses."

Wonder kid in the making: FC Tulsa's Akinpelu is full of promises

FC Tulsa's hope for securing a promotion to the Major League Soccer, MLS in the United States may have just been boosted with a promising youngster in their folds called Promise Akinpelu.

The 19 year old striker Akinpelu who has swelled the number of Nigerian players donning the colors of FC Tulsa is the one for the future but he's making it known to the club that he can be relied on even at now.

The 20 year old Canadian-Nigerian Akinpelu was among the three new additions to Tulsa side who are opening their new campaign against Sporting Kansas City next Saturday. 

According to the Head Coach of FC Tulsa, Michael Nsien, Akinpelu came with a lot of potentials that will help the side compete for honors and trophies in the new season will fit in to the club's plan despite his age. 

"Promise came in and really impressed us, at such a young age, he can physically compete at this level. This environment will be great for all of our academy players to develop rapidly."

He will be joining the duo of Raphael Ayagwa and Solomon Kwambe who are already a players of FC Tulsa. 

Akinpelu, a 19-year-old Canadian, hails from Brampton, Ontario and was a member of Toronto FC’s Academy from 2012-2015. 

Following his time in the Academy system for TFC, Akinpelu played for a local club, Vaughan Azzurri, that compete in League 1 Ontario. While with Vaughan, Akinpelu was a part of two League1 Ontario Championship teams (2016, 2018) and two L1 Cup winners (2016, 2018). Prior to joining FC Tulsa, Akinpelu played in the Treća HNL, the Croatian third division, for NK Trnje.

The young player who can play as a center forward and as a winger is capable of attracting defenders and using size in holdup and build up play

Efficient and dangerous on counter attack, he's a threat in aerial contests, he's also offensively and defensively special including on set pieces. 

Akinpelu, built in the shape of Didier Drogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is accurate in shooting and passing, a delight in goal scoring opportunities and can set up team-mates just as well.

The Ontario born forward is knowledgeable about defending in a high or low block, capable at defending, intercepting the ball due to positional awareness, intelligence and long legs. 

He's able to beat defenders on a dribble but will rather bypass obstacles by passing. 

Has an amazing composure in the box and always keeps a level head during the match. 

Akinpelu fits the bill of a kind of center forward any club or national teams would love to have in their folds and its like FC Tulsa got a goldmine to have secured his services. 

It is left of for Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and handlers of Nigeria national teams to quickly look into how Akinpelu will be convinced to wear the Green-White-Green colors of Nigeria.