Niger state governor under fire over Chelsea, Arsenal clash
NIGER State Governor Abubakar Sani has
come under criticism following his trip to London to watch Saturday’s
Premier League game between Chelsea and Arsenal.
Residents of the state on Monday
described the governor’s visit to Stamford Bridge as “frivolous”
considering the financial problems of the state.
However, the governor explained on his
Twitter page that he was at Stamford Bridge to watch the match at the
instance of Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, who plans to set up a football
academy in the state.
“I was at Stamford Bridge to watch the derby between Chelsea and Arsenal at the invitation of John Obi Mikel,” he wrote.
According to him, Mikel approached the
state government to partner with the state in developing
its sports,
stressing that it will be wrong to turn down an investor who is willing
to invest in the state.
The
Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibraheem Dooba, said Bello was
in Europe and his visit to Stamford Bridge was part of his itinerary
since he was to meet other international development partners, adding
that he was invited by Mikel.
But a trader, Moses Akwu said, “Things
are hard for us in Niger while our governor is travelling to watch
matches. I heard they said he was invited but is it not government
resources that he used to go on the trip?
“We did not vote him in to watch
football, we voted him because we want him to work and bring back the
lost glory of the state. Watching matches is not governance, it is
absolute recklessness.”
Another resident, Gambo Mohammed, said the governor needed to focus on governance.
“Sports development is not what Niger
State needs now. We need jobs for our unemployed youths, boost for our
economy and agriculture, and good roads.”
Bello had on August 31 warned sports
officials not to use his name to organise sports competitions. He made
this known when board members of the Nigeria Chess Federation and the
state hockey team that won the National Super League visited him.
The President of Nigeria Chess Federation
Suleman Gora had requested to organise a national championship in his
honour which he objected saying, “I am not a billboard.”
Source: Punch
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