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General Sani Abacha: A Legacy Of Sporting Excellence
Late General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s 10th Head of State, left an indelible mark on the nation’s sporting landscape during his reign from November 17th, 1993, to his passing on June 8, 1998.
While his leadership was marked by a mix of opinions, there’s no denying that he played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s sporting glory.
General Abacha, the first Nigerian Army Officer to attain the rank of a full military General without skipping a single rank, recognized the power of sports.
He enlisted Chief Jim Nwobodo as the Sports Minister, a man known for his innate passion for sports.
Jim’s track record with Enugu Rangers International in the late ’70s and early ’80s made him a natural choice.
Under Abacha’s directive, Jim Nwobodo was entrusted with replicating the success of Enugu Rangers on a national stage.
General Abacha’s tenure saw Nigeria break a 14-year jinx, winning the African Nations Cup in Tunisia in 1994.
Nigeria demonstrated class and style, announcing its readiness to compete on the world stage.
This success paved the way for Nigeria’s remarkable performance in the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA.
At the 1994 World Cup, Nigeria’s Super Eagles, under the guidance of Clemence Westerhof and Johannes Bonfrere, showcased their best football ever.
Players like Rashidi Yekini, Jay Jay Okocha, and Peter Rufai demonstrated Nigeria’s emergence as a global football powerhouse.
Despite being edged out by Italy in the second round, the Super Eagles finished as the 5th best football nation, according to FIFA rankings.
General Abacha’s commitment to sports excellence extended to the Olympics.
Nigeria sent a team of 65 athletes to Atlanta, Georgia, and achieved a historic victory by winning gold in football, a first for any African nation.
This triumph displayed determination and unwavering belief in the face of adversity.
What made General Abacha’s era stand out in sports was the unique combination of motivation, discipline, and unwavering support.
His right-hand man, Major Al Mustapha, played a significant role in motivating the athletes.
He established a strong connection with the players, offering encouragement and personal chats, instilling a sense of belonging.
In contrast, successive governments have struggled to maintain the sporting excellence witnessed during General Abacha’s tenure.
The lack of willpower, discipline, and motivation has hindered Nigeria’s sports development.
Despite having officials with sporting knowledge, the inability to take decisive measures against those undermining sports remains a challenge.
The sports community calls for a change in Nigeria’s sports management.
It is essential to appoint individuals who are passionate, committed, and grounded in the ethos of sports to strategic positions within the sector.
General Abacha’s model of motivation, discipline, and adequate training should serve as a blueprint for the government to rekindle Nigeria’s sporting glory.
As we mourn the retrogression of Nigerian sports, let’s celebrate the man who brought us joy with his sporting acumen – General Sani Abacha.
Governor Uba Sani says his administration has improved access to tertiary education in Kaduna State by reducing tuition fees of state-owned tertiary institutions by 50%.
Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union and a public lecture, the Governor stated that the tuition cut has enabled more students from low-income backgrounds to pursue university degrees with greater ease.
Governor Uba Sani expressed gratitude to the students for honouring him with the Sword of Honour Award and acknowledged their recognition of his administration’s developmental strides.
He reassured the students of his government’s continued support, urging them to maintain peace to allow development initiatives to thrive. “Government will continue to support students and the youth generally to realize their ambitions. On your part, make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course,” he said.
The Governor advised students not to allow themselves to be used by agents of disunity and chaos, warning that no meaningful development can occur in a climate of unrest and distrust. However, he commended students for being “reliable partners of progress.”
Addressing the issue of security, Uba Sani recalled how parts of the state were under siege due to insecurity, which disrupted farming and business activities. He said the situation has improved considerably through the efforts of security agencies, leading to safer roads, the return of farmers, and the reopening of local markets—including the Birnin Gwari cattle market after a decade-long closure.
Highlighting ongoing infrastructure efforts, the Governor said his administration has embarked on over 78 road projects covering 775 kilometers, many of which are rural link roads. He added that General Hospitals are being remodelled and 255 healthcare centres upgraded. Additionally, new schools are being constructed while existing ones are being refurbished to create a better learning environment.
The student union explained that Governor Uba Sani was awarded the Sword of Honour for his commitment to educational development. They praised the tuition reduction and the establishment of new faculties at KASU, including his facilitation of the CBN Intervention Project for the Faculty of Engineering.
They also commended the Governor’s directive allowing students to sit for examinations regardless of outstanding fees, describing it as a gesture of compassion and commitment to inclusive education.
The union concluded that Governor Uba Sani has redefined good governance by prioritizing education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.
The Sir David Osunde Foundation (SDOF) has announced that
His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Abuja, and His Grace Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop of Abuja will preside over its 33rd annual Thanksgiving celebration for persons with disabilities, taking place this Easter Monday.
In a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Barrister Ikem Uchegbulam, revealed that this year’s event will be held simultaneously in Abuja and Benin City, Edo State.
This strategic move, he said, is designed to ease travel for participants across Nigeria by offering a venue in both the northern and southern regions.
According to the organisers, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Abuja, will officiate the Thanksgiving Mass in Benin City, where he is also expected to formally declare the Foundation’s annual activities open.
Simultaneously, His Grace Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop of Abuja, will lead the Mass in the nation’s capital.
Thousands of guests are expected to attend the ceremonies in both cities, marking a significant return to Benin City — a location that last hosted the Foundation’s event 19 years ago.
The annual gathering is a central part of the Foundation’s mission to honour and empower Nigerians living with disabilities.
The event includes not only spiritual reflection but also an empowerment programme that distributes assistive devices and other forms of support to individuals across the country.
Speaking on the empowerment efforts, Anuniru Emmanuel O, the Programme Manager Officer of SDOF, commended the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities.
“We distribute items through our state coordinators, and we ensure proper follow-up through video and pictorial evidence,” he explained.
“When we receive images and videos of beneficiaries using the aid provided, we know the support is reaching the right hands.”
He recounted one such instance, in which a man with a physical disability in Akwa Ibom received a tricycle sent from Abuja. A video showed the man using the tricycle to fetch and transport water from a borehole — a powerful testament to the impact of the Foundation’s work in promoting independent living.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone 10 comprising Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States Gyogon Augustine Grimah has directed commissioners of police under his zone to ensure adequate security measures in their respective domains before and after the Easter celebration.
Grimah, in a release by the zone 10 Public Relations Officer DSP Uthman Muhammad Yaqub appealed to all and sundry to cooperate with security agencies to enable them serve them well.
The release read in parr, “”Zone 10 headquarters under the leadership of AIG Gyogon Augustine Grimah psc,FCAI, wish to inform the members of the public particularly those residing in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, that it has made adequate security arrangements that will ensure the protection of lives and properties before, during and after the Easter celebrations.
“”AIG zone 10 headquarters, directed the three commissioners of police Commanding Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara Police states Commands to emplace adequate security measures that will ensure smooth and hitch free celebrations. Intelligence gathering apparatus of the zone has also been directed to actively generate actionable intelligence that could assist in mitigating any form of threats””.
While wishing Christian faithfuls a happy Easter celebration, the AIG, Grimah enjoined all of them to seize the moment and pray for continues peaceful coexistence in the zone and beyond.