Apex bank warns banks, PoS Agents against collusion
Traders hoard naira
The House of Representatives yesterday summoned the Minister of Finance and National Planning and Budget and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to explain why commercial banks are not paying customers over the counter and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
The House also urged the CBN to immediately commence proper monitoring and supervision of commercial banks’ activities daily to ascertain the extent of counter payment to customers.
The lawmakers mandated its Committees on Banking Regulations and Digital and Electronic Banking to invite the Minister and CBN Governor, while also calling on Point-of-Sales (POS) operators to stop selling naira notes. They called on the PoS operators to immediately remove excessive charges on transactions.
These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Need to Curb the Sale of Naira Notes by the Point-of-Sales (POS) operators in Nigeria” moved by Hon. Mohammed Dan Abba Shehu.
The summon came as the apex bank issued a strong warning to banks and PoS operators suspected to engage in “inappropriate actions” and potential “collusion” affecting the availability of cash and smooth circulation of the naira.
The alleged collusive practices, currently under investigation by the CBN, were believed to be contributing to the ongoing cash crunch experienced by Nigerians. The apex bank has assured the public that it will not tolerate such behavior and will mete out “relevant sanctions” to any parties found culpable.
In a press release issued yesterday and signed by CBN spokesperson, Mrs. Hakama Sidi-Ali, the apex bank urged both banks and PoS operators to immediately cease any activities disrupting the free flow of cash in the economy, especially the practice of “hoarding” of naira notes.
The CBN encouraged Nigerians to embrace alternative payment channels beyond cash, promoting a more efficient and digital financial system.
According to the apex bank, to facilitate this shift, the public should report any instances of unauthorised cash restrictions or suspicious activities by banks or PoS agents directly at any CBN branch nationwide or through designated online platform.
A high-level source at the CBN had linked some staff of commercial banks and farmers as major contributors to the cash crisis.
According to a high-level source within the apex bank, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, an internal investigation unearthed a web of nefarious practices fueled by both greed and fear.
Shockingly, the investigation revealed that some commercial bank staff are actively diverting cash meant for customers to their own personal PoS machines. This insider scheme, fueled by the ownership of PoS businesses by bank employees, effectively siphons money away from legitimate channels, exacerbating the cash shortage faced by Nigerians.
Adding to the challenge, the truncated new naira policy triggered anxiety among some citizens, prompting them to hoard cash rather than deposit it in banks. Similarly, the end-of-year harvest season sees farmers, traditionally accustomed to cash transactions, holding onto their earnings outside the formal banking system.
While official withdrawal limits allow for sizeable cash withdrawals, POS operators continue to struggle for access. The source revealed that banks prioritize cash for their own ATMs and internal needs, leaving POS operators high and dry. This creates a bottleneck, forcing desperate operators to seek alternative, often expensive, sources of cash like fuel stations and shops.
The problem deepens with reports of individuals using multiple cards to withdraw large sums from ATMs, particularly at night, depleting available cash quickly. Banks, in response, adjust loading frequencies, further tightening the tap for the average customer. The issue is further compounded by the circulation of “unusable cash,” damaged or unfit for ATM use.
Commercial banks in Umuahia, the Abia State capital and their counterparts in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state have further reduced their customers cash withdrawal limits.
Our correspondent who monitored the current development in the state reports that most commercial banks as at Wednesday, were dispensing N20,000 daily limit to customers using their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), while they pay same amount to customers through the counter.
Customers of other commercial banks were subjected to daily withdrawal of N10,000 of N5,000 per withdrawal.
Our correspondent reported that things improved yesterday as most of them now pay N50,000 across counter to their customers, while their ATMs still dispense daily withdrawal of N20,000 for bank’s customers while customers of various banks were limited to N10,000 withdrawal on two tranche.
One of the commercial banks in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba de-selected other options leaving their ATM users with the N5,000 option alone; for both customers and other ATM user.
One of the commercial bank staff who spoke to our correspondent on anonymity said that the decision to start paying their customers N50,000 because they were able to get more money from the CBN’s office in Umuahia, the state capital.
According to the source, the bank dispenses money depending on the amount of money they received from the CBN.
The Nation investigation revealed that operators of Point Of Sale (POS) outlets now buy money from traders in various markets who now prefer to keep their money in their shops than taking them to the bank.
A trader who gave his name simply as Chukwuemeka said that their reason for keeping cash in their shops is to avoid the limited amount of money that banks give them.
Chukwuemeka who stated that they also receive bank transfer from their customers or shoppers that visit their shops, said it was optional for any trader to stockpile money for POS operators.
This is even as he added that he has a POS stand where he supplies the cash he made from his daily with little charge above what they charge in the time past.
A resident of Aba who just returned from a journey in Okigwe, said she paid as much as N6,000 for N20,000 by a POS operator.
The Federal Government yesterday reassured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would make Nigeria safe.
It also restated that Tinubu’s reforms would begin to yield results next year.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris gave the assurance at a news conference on the President’s achievements in Abuja.
Idris said: “President Tinubu’s dedication to addressing insecurity and creating a safer nation is steadfast. The reforms implemented in this regard will contribute to restoring peace and security, fostering an environment where citizens can pursue their aspirations without fear.
”You are aware that our country faces challenges of insecurity particularly the menace of banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency. “In the face of these threats, President Tinubu has demonstrated commitment to securing the life and property of every Nigerian.
“Recognising the urgency of the situation, President Tinubu has made the fight against insecurity a top priority of his administration as contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
”President Tinubu is working tirelessly to ensure that our security apparatus is well-equipped, motivated, and strategically positioned to protect our nation from external and internal threats.
”From the various reports we are getting from our security agencies, it is evident that Nigeria is winning the war against terrorism, banditry, insurgency and other forms of criminality.
“For instance, the Southeast has been stabilised with the degrading of the operational capacity of IPOB(Indigenous People of Biafra) and the Eastern Security Network(ESN).
“In the Northeast and Northwest, the Nigerian Air Force has been very busy, with several successful airstrikes on bandits’ terrorists’ hideouts in Katsina, Zamfara and Borno states.”
He solicited the support of the media for ”our Armed Forces, who are working day and night to keep the country safe.”
Idris added that the reform of the various sectors of our economy was already ”sowing the seeds of transformative change, and as we enter 2024, we can anticipate the fruits of these efforts beginning to blossom.”
”These reforms are not instantaneous miracles but deliberate steps towards building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
“As we look ahead, let us embrace the spirit of hope and resilience. Change takes time, but every step forward is a testament to the progress we are making as a nation.
“The journey towards a better Nigeria is a collective endeavour, and your support and optimism are invaluable in this transformative process,” Idris said.
The minister also told reporters that the current scarcity of Naira in the country was not a deliberate policy by the government to inflict hardship on Nigerians.
He expressed optimism that the crunch, which has affected cash transactions by the public, especially in this Yuletide, would ease by the beginning of next year as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would circulate more notes.
Idris said: “Our government is aware that there is this cry by Nigerians about the scarcity of Naira notes and CBN is already working in that direction.
“New notes and more will be produced and Nigerians will have more Naira to spend. It is not a deliberate policy to stifle Nigerians or to take Naira out of Nigerians during the Godwin Emefiele days as CBN governor).
“That is not the case. It is a process perhaps that the CBN is undertaking that has created a temporary shortfall and we are hoping that as we go into the New Year, we’ll see a more robust supply of the Naira notes.”
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has approved the payment of N15,000 wage award for workers as part of measures put in place to cushion the effect of the current economic situation in the country.
The payment will run for six months pending the time an agreement is reached on minimum wage for workers.
According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, pensioners in the state will also receive N10,000 wage award for six months as approved by Governor Oyebanji.
The wage award takes effect from this month.
Governor Oyebanji has also approved payment of July 2018 salary arrears to local government workers and primary school teachers across the 16 local governments.
The payment is in fulfilment of the governor’s promise to prioritise workers’ welfare and well-being as well as his pledge to ensure outstanding entitlements of workers, owed by previous administrations, are paid.
The governor had put in place some palliative measures for workers in the wake of the subsidy removal. This include payment of some outstanding entitlements, extension of the minimum wage to senior workers on level 14 to 17 as well as provision of shuttle buses for workers and students.
She said this is an important key to a rich and fulfilling life in their golden years.
Mrs. Tinubu spoke at the maiden edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS) yesterday in Abuja.
The Abuja disbursement of the programme was organised by the Office of the Mandate Secretary, Woman Affairs, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
In a statement by her spokesperson Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady noted that the Yuletide season is a period of joy and comfort, adding that no citizen, irrespective of age or gender, should be left out.
Senator Tinubu said: “As we approach the festive season, it becomes very important to emphasise the significance of prioritising our elderly citizens in our Initiative. By reaching out to the elderly this festive period, we not only honour their contributions but also acknowledge the unique encounters they face.
“This economic empowerment programme is borne out of a steadfast commitment to the well-being of our elderly citizens and it marks a significant stride in our collective pursuit of a more inclusive and compassionate society.”
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who was represented at the event, thanked the First Lady for her constant acknowledgement and support for the Armed Forces and the police.
The CDS praised the veterans for their unalloyed service and commitment to the nation.
He assured them that the Armed Forces and the police would always look after their well-being.
The theme for the maiden edition of the RHIESS is: Better Days Ahead.
The First Lady described the programme as a beacon of the RHI, the dignity and prosperity for the nation’s elders.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said the scheme would also provide humanitarian services for the elderly.
During the programme, which held simultaneously across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and for the veterans of the Armed Forces, the RHI gave out N100,000 cash to 250 elderly persons per state, the FCT and the Armed Forces veterans.
The First Lady, who was represented during the disbursement by the wives of the governors, donated N25 million to each of the states.
A total of N950 million was disbursed across the country.
Bags of rice, wheat, and other food items were given to the beneficiaries while medical tests were also conducted.
Mamman explained that the learning crisis had also been a major issue which he said was a bad product of the out-of-school menace, hence the need to take the matter more seriously.
The minister noted that having robust policies in place was not enough to tackle the challenges but delivering on the policies would go a long way in addressing the problems of out-of-school children.
“The Federal Ministry of Education has further distilled the implementation of the ministerial deliverables to a more detailed implementation with turn-around strategies that would be measurable and capable of providing results that would be very visible to the Nigerian public.
“On out-of-school menace, we would be paying particular attention to this unacceptable phenomenon and in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment, would work towards returning 15 million Out-of-School Children back to the classrooms by the year 2027,” he said.
Mamman said President Tinubu had approved the reintroduction and implementation of school feeding across basic educational levels.
The minister explained that the removal of tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) was necessary to give tertiary institutions the autonomy to operate.
He added that the ministry would work with the Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to ensure a seamless implementation.
“No Nigerian would be happy with the epileptic delivery of academic activities in our tertiary institutions occasioned by long-unresolved agreements.
“Under the guidance of President Bola Tinubu, we engaged in informal consultations with the tertiary institutions-based unions and have begun to build trust as exemplified by the resolution of the following issues:
“Thirty-five per cent increase in salaries of workers in our tertiary institutions, four months payment of salaries for the eight months they were on strike in 2022.
“Others are removal from IPPIS and granting autonomy for recruitment,” he said.
The minister announced that in line with President Tinubu’s directive to stagger the establishment of already approved tertiary institutions, the ministry had taken over the sites for the establishment of some Federal Colleges of Education.
He listed the colleges as: the Federal College of Education, Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti State; Federal College of Education, Ididep, Ibiono, Akwa Ibom State; and the Federal College of Education (Technical), Yauri, Kebbi State.
Mamman said the ministry had concluded administrative processes for their take-off for academic activities by 2024.
On teacher’s improvement, he said the ministry had revised the National Teacher Education Policy (NTEP) to chart the course for teacher education and development in the country.
Many times, lawyers complain about bad laws. If one can be exonerated during military rule on the ground that citizens were not being consulted before decrees or edicts were enacted, the same cannot be said under civil rule.
Lawyers have every opportunity to come together and facilitate the making of good laws that will be beneficial to the members of the larger society. This is squarely within the purview of the duties and responsibilities of lawyers.
Lawyers can tremendously assist the National Assembly to pass laws or Acts that will drastically ameliorate the general suffering of the masses and pervasive hunger starring the majority of Nigerians in the face.
Obedience to court orders
It is the bounden duty of all legal practitioners to ensure compliance with the rulings/orders /judgements of the courts in the course of their practice, even if such orders, rulings and judgments are against them.
It is imperative because the consequences of aiding disobedience to court orders or judgments are grave.
Learned Senior Advocates of Nigeria and senior lawyers as leaders at the Bar must continue to lead and guide the Bar and give NBA helping hands at all times.
Comments on matters that are subjudice
For a very long time now it has become a dangerous vogue for parties and non-parties to cases in court particularly high-profile cases, election causes and matters to make derogatory comments and sometimes very curious statements concerning election matters that are sub judice.
Many times they go on analysing and evaluating cases pending in Court to suit their purpose.
Most often, the comments and conclusions reached by the said commentators are designed to threaten, cajole and sway the adjudicators to their side.
It is appalling that some of the commentators who are well respected and educated, do it to mould public opinion to cause resentment and disaffection among the populace against the judges handling such cases and their opponents and to whip up sentiments.
There is no doubt that the myopic aim of those peddling such slanted opinions only intended that the Judges should decide the matter or cause in issue in their favour at all costs.
People’s reputations and public life have been ruined and endangered for no just cause in many instances through such baseless comments.
To add salt to the injury, this is embarrassing if not depressing that some members of the noble profession have joined the train and the crowd of misguided elements who are in the habit of expressing jaundiced opinions to the newsmen and various media houses (broadcast and print media) claiming that the strength of their clients’ cases show that ”there is no way for the opponent”, “we have called very formidable evidence that no Court can ignore” And you see some Lawyers and their clients nodding in approval!
A lot of incalculable damage had been done to the administration of justice as any judgment given contrary to their perceived “formidable evidence” would be taken to have been purchased’ from “perceived corrupt Judiciary that has been purportedly captured by their opponent.
But anytime these commentators and litigants win cases, they boast about that – ‘a Daniel has come to Judgment and the best has happened to the Judiciary’. ‘It is the hope of the common man’!
To the lawyers who engage in media trials, one can say – ‘even you Brutus?
Social responsibilities of lawyers
The social responsibilities of Lawyers are numerous and onerous. They can only operate and come to the aid of society within the confines and perimeters of the law. Notwithstanding some obvious impediments, I still sincerely believe that Lawyers can give back to society within their means and through the involvement of well-meaning Nigerians, the executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.
The lawyers can as a body give back to society by providing social services and bringing justice, particularly to people in the suburbs, towns and villages. They can also fare in areas of provisions of potable water, and aid the building and rebuilding of dilapidated schools and classrooms in Primary Schools and Colleges. Identify with those who cannot feed their families or send their children to school due to no fault of their own. They can offer scholarships to children of the poor.
Help to provide support for those who are sick in the Hospitals, old people’s homes and infirmaries. Give help and assistance to patients who require surgery or transplants who cannot afford the expenses. Offer scholarships for academic excellence in universities or tertiary institutions.
Partner with the National Assembly to enable the passage of enactments of good laws that can aid economic growth and self-employment to team restless youths who have no jobs.
Challenge various governments to direct resources of the nation to buildings and reconstruction of roads and other infrastructures. Make suggestions to the Government on provisions of electricity and amenities necessary to give the populace a new lease of life.
The lawyers can assist indigent persons who are awaiting trials in various correctional centres by providing them Pro bono services.
Training of young Lawyers or Juniors to acquire experience and desired knowledge that can assist them in setting up their chambers.
The Learned Senior Advocates of Nigeria and Senior Lawyers should endeavour to increase the remuneration of young lawyers who need help and prepare them for trial in litigations so they can conduct trials on their own.
Assist in the appointment process of Magistrates and judges so that the exercise could be completed with minimum delays. This requires synergy between the judiciary and the executive.
There are so many ways of collaborating with appropriate authorities and persons to give back to society out of the abundance and grace that God had bestowed upon you. It is my solemn prayer that your cup will overflow with the blessings of God and His mercies.
Do not forget to be your brothers’ keepers at all times. I would like to recall the sad episode and the pathetic case of the Late Dele Giwa and the brave and brilliant efforts to find his killers by that inimitable, indomitable, astute and outstanding Legal Practitioner, Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN in the case against Col Haliu Akilu and Anor in RE-ODUNEYE (1987) 4 NWLR (PART 67) 797 at 832 F-H where Obaseki, JSC of blessed memory profoundly held thus:
“The peace of the society is the responsibility of all persons in the country and as far as protection against crime is concerned, every person in the society is each other’s keeper. Since we are all brothers in society, we are our brother’s keeper. If we pause a little and cast our minds to the happenings in the world, the rationale for this rule will become apparent…”
Conclusion
All lawyers ought to practice cause lawyering.
You must be actively engaged in promoting the cause of justice and vindication of human rights where the government or its agencies violate the Constitution and the law in our society.
You must challenge dangerous policies of the government or its agencies which could bring untold hardship to Nigerians particularly the downtrodden.
Take for example, the thoughtless introduction of the new naira notes policy in November 2022, just a few months before the general election when the Central Bank knew very well that the new naira notes were not available in banks to enable members of the public to operate their accounts and yet the old Notes were prohibited as legal tender.
Thank God, lawyers and civil society organisations came heavily against the policy. The rich also cried profusely to the extent that some governors approached the apex court to stem the tide of chaos and near anarchy that the policy engendered. The apex court saved the situation.
Businesses and the economy almost collapsed under the strain of a cash crunch. Parents found it difficult to feed their children and many died in the process. Workers found it difficult to go to work.
There was also the issue of continuous strikes and the grave threats to the nation by Boko Haram and bandits. The tremendous insecurity and killings by unknown gunmen still linger. Farmers can no longer go to their farms. Those involved in mechanised farming have abandoned their farms due to kidnapping, murders and threats from brigands.
Where do we go from here? Who will bell the cat? There are no roads; petrol, gas, diesel and kerosine are no longer affordable. Salaries can no longer accommodate the needs of the families.
I believe there is a lot the lawyers can do to ameliorate the situation and take the nation out of the cul de sac and the economic doldrums we are in.
The Body of SANS, the Nigerian Bar Association and its members collectively and individually can always intervene on behalf of the society.
There’s an axiom that when you are not wanted in a community, you do not go calling a tune and expect a supportive refrain. The ruling junta in neighbouring Niger Republic apparently wasn’t mindful of this when it recently approached the ECOWAS Court of Justice to seek orders lifting sanctions imposed on the country by the regional bloc following the military coup that displaced President Mohammed Bazoum from power. Lest the junta actors become oblivious of their illegitimacy, having survived about five months in power, they got a harsh reminder lately as the ECOWAS Court rebuffed their request to lift sanctions.
On the heels of the 26th July coup, ECOWAS’s highest authority chaired by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu had slapped a range of sanctions on Niger, including border closure and Nigeria cutting off electricity supply, thereby triggering power crisis in the junta-led country. In November, the junta, joined by seven other applicants, entered a plea with the ECOWAS Court seeking interim orders lifting the sanctions as part of a broader litigation challenging the legality of the sanctions. The applicants, including six Nigerien organisations and a national, said the sanctions have had adverse effects on Nigeriens such as food, medicine and electricity shortages. They requested the court to issue interim orders compelling the authority of heads of governments to immediately suspend the sanctions.
But the ECOWAS Court, penultimate week, declined the request for interim orders, saying the junta failed to meet the requirement for the case to be admissible. The three-member panel, comprising Justices Edward Asante, Gbéri-bè Ouattara and Dupe Atoki, held that the Nigerien junta lacked competence for the suit because its unconstitutional emergence in power robbed it of the right to institute a suit before a constitutional body like the ECOWAS Court. The court held the view that an entity resulting from an unconstitutional change of government, and not acknowledged by ECOWAS as a government of a member-state, inherently lacks the standing to institute a case with the aim of obtaining reprieve. Consequently, it dismissed both the substantive suit and the request for interim orders sought by the junta on Niger’s behalf. Concerning the seven non-state applicants, the court held that they failed to provide specific details on the nature and extent of the harm suffered by each of them from the measures imposed on Niger. This lack of specificity, it ruled, made it challenging to differentiate their legal interests in the case from those of Niger.
It was sheer temerity that made the jackboots of Niger seek legal remedy for their illegal enterprise and it was good the court gave a shock reality check.
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri, has received the Bayelsa State Para contingents to the just concluded National Para Games in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
Governor Diri during the State Prosperity Weekly Exercise , heart-warmingly received the Para Athletes yesterday in a special recognition after Bayelsa State finished first position with 30 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze.
In his remarks, Governor Diri congratulated them for making the State and the Ijaw Nation proud by their spectacular performance, describing their achievements as fulfilling.
He stressed that despite their current physical conditions , they were able to prove that there’s indeed ability in disability.
“Winning the Para Games back to back and so on behalf of your State I say congratulations, you have made your State proud and you have brought a very good image to Bayelsa,” he said. “All over Nigeria they know in Para Games you can’t challenge Bayelsa State, so we want to thank you and urge you to keep it up because you have done it twice and next year would be better.”
He described the Para Athletes as special athletes, adding that the State Government will officially host them in Government House just like every other sportsmen who have made the state proud.
“And as we do to all the sporting activities yours won’t be different, we’re going to reward you just like we do to other athletes in an appropriate date,” Diri stressed. “A State Government that doesn’t take care of their own underprivileged is a bad Government, and if with all the challenges that you have, you can still make us proud then we can’t treat you as second hand because you are first hand.”
Meanwhile, the rousing medal presentation was attended by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Daniel Igali, chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports, Tare Porri, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mrs Grace Alagoa and the Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi among other government officials and political appointees.
Osahon reveals battles Nigerian ace overcome to the top
By Taiwo Ibrahim
Emmanuel Orobosa Osahon, the man who gave Asisat Oshoala her first opportunity as a footballer, has revealed that the six-time African player of the year would have been converted into a midfielder by the handlers of the Nigerian under 17 women team if he had not insisted that she was natural goal scorer.
The veteran coach revealed this in an exclusive interview with NationSports and went further to say that the 29 year old Barcelona star was initially dropped from the Flamingos team because they felt she was not good enough but through hard work and dedication she was able to overcome a difficult start to her footballing career.
The ‘Oracle’ as Osahon is fondly called, is a household name in Nigeria women’s football sphere, he is the founder and coach of FC Robo Queens.
Robo Queens has produced numerous players for the different age grades of Nigerian football including the Super Falcons.
The likes of Aminat Yakubu, Esther Sunday, Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade and Monday Gift are all product of the Mushin-based club in Lagos State.
He said: “Oshoala is the most favoured one, Esther Sunday was the most surprising one because she was the smallest in her generation in my team and from nowhere she got into the national team.
“Oshoala passed through tough times before becoming what she is today, she went to the Flamingo team and she was dropped because they said she is not good enough.
“She was invited to the U-20 (Falconets) and they wanted to convert her to a midfielder because of her strength and I told her I made you a scoring machine go and tell them that your coach said you are a scorer and they pushed her upfront and she started scoring goals. The first thing we build in the players is strength.”
Osahon also revealed that Asisat’s parents were initially against her playing football and wanted her to join her mother in the family business after she was done with her education and he has to personally visit her parents to persuade them to let her play.
He added that Asisat’s father was sceptical at first but later agreed because he also loved football.
“The person that really discovered Asisat Oshoala (Lucky Oni)is late now, they went for a competition and the person just called me on phone that he has found a player that I will like and I asked him to bring her.
“He brought her and I told her if she was interested in playing for FC Robo and said yes, I told her if you play here in three years’ time you will play in the national team.
“Initially it was very tough, because her mother was a business tycoon in Lagos and she wanted her to continue the business line and I visited her parents.
“The mother never wanted her to play football, I remember sometimes when we have a game to play she will have to go put market in the shop before coming to the match venue, so she will joyfully go to the shop and rush down to the match venue because she is already seeing herself in vision I sold to her when she first joined FC Robo queens.
“Oshoala’s father has always been in support of her career since she started because he loves football naturally.
“The father told me that some people have come to deceive them in the past and he will like to see if I can be different and I told him to give me time to groom her.”
Osahon recalled that when Asisat started she was abused for missing a lot of chances which brought her to tears but he encouraged her to become better and prove her detractors wrong.
“The first thing that happened was that almost all the competitions we played in Lagos State, Oshoala won the top scorer awards.
“But when she first started, she was missing chances a lot and people will start abusing her and she will begin to cry. I will keep telling her not to worry that the same people abusing her will come and celebrate her.”
On her record six win as the African Player of the year, Osahon said he predicted she would win it despite the uproar when she won it for the fourth time and he is very excited that her efforts have paid off.
“I predicted that she will win the award for the sixth time because there was uproar when she won the fourth one in Nigeria, Oshoala is the type of person that if things do not go her way she is always worried.
“There was a time she battled with injuries but will still score 20 goals at the end of the season.
“Oshoala deserved that award in terms of record, physical performance, club level. So I was excited when she was named the winner,” he noted.
With more than three decades coaching experience in Finland, Moshood Bola Abdulaziz is undoubtedly one of the few African success stories in the Scandinavia following his record performances with Atlantis FC. Ahead of 2024, Abdulaziz has reasonably set his sights on greater assignments with Atlantis FC as well as desiring an opportunity to serve Nigerian football in any coaching capacity, MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN reports.
After his well-documented conquests in Finland, coach Moshood Bola Abdulaziz has admitted that he has the experience to serve Nigerian football in any coaching capacity.
Currently with Helsinki-based Atlantis FC, Abdulaziz, who is in a motley crew of African coaches in the Scandinavia, said his cosmopolitan outlook will be a big boost for Nigerian football.
“I’m an international coach,” Abdulaziz, a holder of both UEFA Pro A Licence for youth development and UEFA Pro A Licence for advanced coaching, told NationSport. “I come from Nigeria in Africa but I am also now a European citizen living and coaching here in Finland.”
Apart from Atlantis FC, the 55-yer-old Abdulaziz has worked across other Finnish clubs like FC Ponnistus Helsinki, FC Kapa Helsinki and FC Finnkurd Helsinki, as well as in Asia where he made headlines with Mohammedan Sporting Club Kolkata in India.
“With all modesty, I have made a lot of mark coaching here in Finland and I’ve also coached in Asia too,” he continued. “As a professional manager, I’m at the ready to listen to offer my expertise and that means if I get any good offer, I am ready to move because coaching is all about facing challenges.
“Of course, I am living now in Finland and committed to my work here with Atlantis FC and by so doing, contributing my quota to the development of football in Finland.”
Before venturing into coaching, Abdulaziz, a former national youth star, featured for NNPC Football Club in the old national Division One League between 1984 and 1986. He equally starred for Finnish sides FC Ilves Tampere, FC Kontu and FC Ponnistus in Finland’s Premier League.
“After my active years in Europe as a player, I decided that my contribution to football has not ended,” explained Abdulaziz, a star member of Nigeria’s national U-18 team that won the gold medal at the 1985 Soccer World Cup in Tampere, Finland, where he emerged as the competition’s top scorer. “I then shifted into the field of management.
“I played football because people taught me football and I also needed to pass my knowledge to the next generation. I was keen on contributing my quota to football development because that’s what I love passionately.
“After my years as a player, I cannot see myself out of the field of football and that was why I went to school to become a football manager,” he added.
Yet, Abdulaziz is desirous of contributing his quota to the development of football in Nigeria, adding that he is ready to accept any available offer in the national team set up, where he admitted his vast experience in Europe and Asia will stand him in good stead.
“Nigerian coaches, especially those back home in Nigeria, are trying their best to improve the standard of Nigerian football and I personally commend them,” he said. “We are a country of more than over 200 million people, as such we have many coaches with different orientations and approaches
He continued: “But it is a fact that football has evolved, there are new trends today with football in the 20th century in terms of education which basically some of our coaches are lacking. We need to employ the latest technology with diversity in the system and methodology of coaching.
”Looking at our national teams, we need to change our mind-set, discipline, social orientation, in terms of football development for the youth. Because when I see many of these young players coming from Africa to Europe, they lack the input of the 20th century’s football development and that is one reason many of them don’t succeed because they lack those knowledge.
“It’s not the fault of the boys or the instructors or the coaches as well, because they say ‘what you don’t have, you cannot give’; so the 20th century ‘s football development is needed to raise the standard of the game generally and particularly that of our youths flooding the European market.”
He further explained that Nigerian youth teams have been struggling on the global football competition space in recent years, adding that he would be ready to rejig the system from the scratch if given the opportunity by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
“Unlike in the past, we are no longer performing well at both the U-17 and U-20,” he surmised. “I remember in the past years, our Under-20 and Under-17 were one of the best not only in Africa but even at the world level.
“But now, it has been very hard for us to even get to the quarterfinals stage, which means we need soul searching about our youth football development and we need to work, not just at the youth level but the senior level too.
“Some of our coaches are trying their best but we need to come and see what we can do.
“We need that because many of our players are coming to Europe and many don’t succeed because they don’t have the basic knowledge they need to compete.
“Of course, it’s not a Nigerian problem but an African problem, and there are things we can do; and we need to keep on working. Clean the system both in the social orientation and discipline of these young players.
“Growing up, we were highly disciplined compared to what we have in today’s football. In those days, we didn’t even think about money, we just wanted to play because we love the game. So I think there are a lot of things to be done; a lot of work to be done in that aspect to develop football at the youth level.
“We need to pump more effort on the youth level and even in the senior team as well because it’s the glory of the country. If the Nigerian national team is doing well, then the country is doing well.
“People love the game, people can spend their last dime on football in Nigeria. As such, if people can use their money to watch top clubs in the world, we need to develop our own football.
“We need to bring football back to the people right from the grassroots and get more people back to the stadiums,” added the 1985 Manuwa Adebajo Cup gold medal winner.
He speaks on other sundry issues – from football in Finland to Super Eagles’ quest for a fourth title at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. Excerpts…
Football made in Finland
I have been in Europe for the past 36-years now, since 1987, and I have seen their football evolved over the years. Finland has tremendous achievements and they were at the last European Championship. That’s an achievement, indeed, compared to many other countries that could not make it. Since the 1990s, they have been producing top quality players. Finland is a small country of just a little over five million population. But over the years, a country of this magnitude has produced top players for top clubs in Europe including Ajax, Inter, Grasshoppers, Leverkusen and a host of others. Clubs here are catching up with the European families and they’ve done fantastically well in the last five years. One of the things they do better is going back to the drawing board after every season; they make a retrospect, what is lacking, what is the improvement they have to make at the club level, the youth level…we go back to class again and draw the plan to know what is lacking, what we need to improve and that’s one fantastic thing all the clubs do here. As far as I am concerned, they are moving forward and the league here in Finland is improving. There are quality deliveries and you’ll agree with me that since the 1990s, they have been producing high quality players in Europe. So they have done well and given the current economic situation in the world now, the league is doing well with a lot of foreign players drafted to boost the quality of the league and make it an international standard. Today, we have a lot of foreign players from Nigeria, South Africa, Europe and several other African countries at the top clubs here.
Coaching exploits in Finland
Since the day I took a transition to becoming a manager, all my mandate in this field has been very successful and that’s one of my greatest achievements. I have never failed in all the assignments given to me since I became a manager. In all the teams I’ve worked, I set records that cannot be forgotten. Recently, I just promoted a team, Atlantis FC, to the premier league. That’s one of my greatest achievements as well. Before, I had travelled far from Finland to Asia to coach in India with Mohammedan Sporting Club Kolkata. I won trophies there, particularly the trophy that had eluded them for 73-years; the Durand Cup, which is one of the oldest cups in the world. I took this cup for them and I broke the jinx in the club because they’d been having a cloud of darkness in the club. But when I got there, I opened the way for the club. In fact, in one particular year we won two big cups, the Durand Cup and the High Shield, which was not a mean achievement. I came into the club I work currently with, Atlantis FC, in 2018 and what I met at the club was that they had an Under-20 team in first division, and other teams in the third and fourth divisions. But I got the team in the first division to be promoted to the Premier League, while I took the fourth division to the third division and the third to the second division and the Under-20 league. I had two silver medals in the first two years.
Incredible showing in India
I had an incredible coaching experience in India with Mohammedan Sporting Club, which is one of the oldest clubs in Kolkata, and that was in 2013.They were newly promoted into the league and they wanted an international manager and after discussing with the president of the club, I was offered a contract. Frankly, I did fantastically well as we won two significant trophies for the club in one season. It’s unbelievable that a newly promoted club can win a double of both the Durand Cup and the Indian Football Association (IFA) Shield.
It may interest you to know that Nigerians have contributed immensely to Indian football development in the past 20 to 30 years as well as in other parts of Asia such as Bangladesh and Pakistan. I’m really proud of my achievements in India because it was even out of my jurisdiction. Leaving Europe to coach in India is not what many would have loved to do, but I used what I had learnt in Europe to do a good job with Mohammedan Sporting Club.
Ready to serve Nigeria
I am ready to contribute my quota towards the development of Nigerian football, if needed. We need the 20th century‘s football developmental approach in Nigeria, and with all the experience and knowledge I have, I’m ready to pass it into our budding footballers. No sacrifice is too big in serving my country. I started my football career here and was taught and developed by others. As such, it’s my duty go give back to the society.
Of course, there is nothing bad in hiring an expatriate because football is an international game, but the difference between the expatriate and I, for instance, is the fact I’m a Nigerian coming from outside to serve his country. This is the huge difference, because I’ll be more committed than the so-called expatriate. I have over 36 years’ experience in coaching, which is quite huge. With all modesty, if I was not good, the Europeans would not even have employed me. After acquiring knowledge and work experiences, I want to give back to my society as well, because if the white man sees my contribution and values me, I think I’m in good position to help my country as well. How many African or Nigerian coaches are working across the leagues in Europe? I count myself very fortunate and without being proud and by the grace of God, I have what it takes to help the development of Nigerian football; and I’m willing to serve.
Super Eagles, Osimhen at 2023 AFCON
Frankly, I think that Nigeria can win the next AFCON. We have the capacity and Nigeria will be counting on our players; we are counting on them and praying for them to deliver. In Africa today, you cannot underrate any country and this is a huge challenge because no country is bigger than any other country as far as football is concerned. It’s been long that we won the AFCON and I believe time has come for Nigeria to win the trophy again. We have enough quality players and I just hope that they work harder; it’s very important for us to win the AFCON. It was unfortunate that the Super Eagles did not make it to the World Cup and I saw the comments all over the world, with people angry that Nigeria didn’t make it. People are eager to see Nigeria succeed and I am praying that the Super Eagles succeed at this upcoming AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire. Of course, Victor Osimhen can be a game changer for Nigeria at the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire. He is a player of high tenacity and he plays with dedication. He fights and has no respect for anybody on the field. He wants to succeed by all means and if you watch him play in the national team and Napoli, there’s no difference in his commitment because he gives everything. He gives his best while playing for Nigeria; he is a good player and he represents the country very well.
My family and I
I was born in Kaduna State and spent all my youth years in Kaduna. I grew up and played with the likes of Rashid] Yekini, Tijani Babangida, Dahiru Sadi, who is one of the greatest midfielders Nigeria has produced, Daniel Amokachi and co. There are other junior brothers, Celestine Babayaro, Garba Lawal… all these players in Kaduna State; we all grew up together. I attended Rimi College and I was a good athlete. I participated in two National Sports Festival at Lagelu 1983 in Ibadan and Kwara 1985. I had two Manuwa/Adebajo Cups with one gold in 1985 and one silver medal in1986. I am happily married and living here in Finland with my family and children. That’s all about my story.
My targets with Atlantis, Nigeria in 2024
In 2024, I am moving from being the manager of Atlantis FC to the director of coaching of all the teams and that’s my mandate for 2024.
Since I brought the team into the Premiership, the directors of the club moved me to the director of coaching, as such I am the one in charge of the coaching structure of the club. I am in charge of the managers who are managing all the teams in the premier league, second division, third division, Under-20 and Under-13; so I manage all these institutions. Of course, I’m looking forward to other challenges in 2024 and if it happens that my country, Nigeria, needs me, I am ready to come and contribute my quota with my over 36 years’ experience. I am looking forward to it. If given the opportunity, I will try my best to contribute my quota. Of course, many would say they don’t know much about me but the truth is that I’m a very quiet person. But I have been making a lot of landmarks here in Finnish football and other places, but I don’t like blowing my own trumpet. Rather, I prefer my work to speak for me.
