NIGERIA FOOTBALL HAS LOST A GEM - PILLAR OF SPORTS

By Akeem Busari. 

The Nigeria Pillar Of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, has described the demise of ex captain and the coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria,Stephen Keshi, as an irreparable loss to Nigeria and the football community. 

Speaking in an emotion laden voice, Chief Agu Ejidike, said football would never remain the same in the country and in Africa. He recalled the heroics of the former ACB fc of Lagos and Anderletch of Belgium during his playing days. And adding that the late footballer always displayed total commitment, passion and dedication to the games for clubs and country, as well as when he was a coach. 

"Nigeria and the world of football will miss him for his patriotism, dedication, passion and commitment to the sport, "the sports philantropist enthused. 

" On several occasions, Keshi led his teams as player and coach, with total passion and commitment to the cause of club and country. 

"The office of the Pillar Of Sports is obviously pained and shocked by the unfortunate death of this illustrious patriot. And we pray for the repose of his soul. And also pray that God will grant his children and family, the fortitude to bear this huge loss. 

"We also commiserate with the Nigeria Football Federation and pray and hope that God will give them the strength and wisdom to wax stronger at this trying moments of our football and national life, "he added. 

SWAN Installs EJIDIKE AGU As Nigeria's Pillar of Sports

Written By Akeem Busari (Sports Correspondent)

The Nigeria Pillar Of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, JP, was officially installed to the exalted seat on Saturday in llorin, Kwara state, by the National Council of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria. 

Speaking after the investiture, the National President of the Sports Writers Association, Mallam Saidu Abubakar, praised the immense contributions of Chief Ejidike to the development of sports in the country. 

"This is a deserved honour and also a unanimous one in view of the selfless contributions of Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, to the development and growth of sports in Nigeria. And we hope it would spur him to doing more for sports in the country," Abubakar enthused. 

Responding to the honour done to him, an obviously elated Ejidike thanked SWAN, as he acknowleged that the honour is a challenge for him to do more for sports in the country. 

"l feel greatly honoured and l say thank you to God Almighty and to the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, "Ejidike said. 

The Pillar Of Sports, who took the exalted seat vacated by the late Chief MKO Abiola and Prince Dokun Abidoye, went ahead to promise his total and unflinching commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria. 

He admonished well placed individuals and the private sector to do more than paying lip-service to the development of sports in the country. 

"Sports worldwide has become progressively capital intensive," the multiple award winning businessman cum sports philantropist stated. 

He continued: "Yet history shows that government have almost single-handedly shouldered the responsibility of sports development in Nigeria. And Unfortunately, there is just minimal private sector participation," he lamented. 

According to him, the rise in crimes could also be attributed to the apparent lack of sports facilities in the country and inadequate sponsorship by the private sector. 

"Our natives today produce criminals. And not because it is their nature, but because their simple system of order and tradition have been destroyed, "he added regretfully. 

Conclusively, the Nigeria Pillar Of Sports, who also doubles as the President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria,  promised to work closely with SWAN to further champion the cause of sports in Nigeria.

NFF Crisis: Nigeria Pillar Of Sports, Ejidike Calls For Caution

By Akeem Busari

The Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike has called for caution among the ranks and files of the Nigeria football ruling authority in the face of the brewing crisis rocking the boat of the Nigeria Footbal Federation, NFF.

Chief Donatus Ejidike made the passionate appeal to the warring factions following the ruling of a Federal High Court in Jos that dismissed Amaju Pinnick-led NFF and eventually pronounced Mr Chris Giwa as the new president of NFF.

The Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Ejidike appealed to the warring factions to calm frayed nerves and lthresd the path of peace talk and amicable resolutions instead of opening old wounds; more importantly when FIFA would not want interference in football procedures by law courts.

The Pillar of Sports who doubles as the President of Karate Federation of Nigeria called on the Minister of Sports, Mr Solomon Dalong to mediate and prevail over the two sides for peaceful resolutions.

“Now is not the best period to open any can worms that will either polarize the Nigeria football ruling authority or distract the nation’s focus. Nigeria is tottering on the precipice of world football ladder; therefore, celebrating  crisis  is not the best thing to happen to us at this period.”

He said further, “ the pain of Super Eagles crashing out of the African Nations Cup is still very fresh in our memory and that should be our collective concern even as the Nigerian league should find its rhythm to win the herats and followership of numerous sports lovers. In this sense, we should eschew any act that will derail sports promotions and development”.

Chief Ejidike believes that this country will rise again in the world of sports; and, to achieve that, all hands must be on deck.