The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bolaji Abdullahi

  • 2015 general election one of Nigeria’s best – Abdullahi

    A former Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has described the 2015 elections as one of the best in the history of Nigeria’s democracy.

    Abdullahi told reporters in Ilorin, Kwara State, shortly after his accreditation at his Anifowose polling unit in the state capital.

    He said the “2015 general election is unprecedented and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has put in the best performance ever in the conduct of the elections.”

    He hailed the use of card readers, describing the process as a step forward in Nigerian democratic history.

    The former minister commended the peaceful conduct of the electorates and the security personnels, saying that shows the improvement in our democratic culture.

    He joined the league of prominent Nigerians setting agenda for the president-elect , Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. .

    He said, “The expectations of the people are very high, Gen Buhari’ s commitment is very clear.. He wants to create job, he wants to fight corruption and tackle insecurity which were the three cardinals of his campaign and he is committed to achieve those objectives.  The biggest challenge however in moving forward is managing the expectation of the people because sacrifices have to be made and it depends on how we are able to communicate with the people.

    “I suspect that the honeymoon will be short because government will have to take some tough decisions for economic progress, even President Goodluck Jonathan said Nigerian s must be willing to make sacrifices.”

     

  • Jonathan has impoverished Nigerians, say Ahmed, Saraki, Abdullahi

    Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Senator Bukola Saraki and ex-Sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Friday passed a damning verdict on President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    The trio accused the Peoples Democratic Party led government of impoverishing Nigerians.

    They spoke in Ilorin, Kwara State, at presentation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the 2015 elections in the state.

    Abdullahi said Nigerians are more economically impoverished than six or seven years ago, adding that yet they claimed that “our economy is improving.”

    He said: “When Senator Bukola Saraki was the governor of the state, many of our supporters and members could afford to build houses and buy cars, but these days the text messages we receive border on money to keep body and soul together. They now want us to continue in that our hunger status for another four years. To add insult on injury they say the country’s gross domestic product is increasing, that the Nigeria’s economy is one of the best in Africa.

    “The money that the PDP people are filtering away is what they term GDP. That is none of our business, I urge us all to cast our votes for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the next month presidential election and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in the governorship election.

    “In March 2014, when President Goodluck Jonathan came to Ilorin, then I was the minister of sports, they said I should mount the podium at this same metropolitan square and haul abuses at Senator Bukola Saraki. But being a true son of Ilorin, I cannot not bite the finger that feed me, it was the same Saraki that brought me from Lagos and made me a special assistant, from special assistant to special adviser. As if that was not enough, the then governor of Kwara State appointed me as a commissioner and subsequently nominated me for ministerial job.

    “This, our leader has foresight, he told us before our defection from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC that PDP was like a sinking ship. It was then that some people felt they would sit by the driver of sinking ship. The Senator also told us then that PDP is a God forsaken party.”

    Governor Ahmed said that the financial emasculation of the state has hampered infrastructural development.

    “The dwindling allocation from Abuja notwithstanding, the state government has not defaulted in paying workers’ salaries as at and when due. We have not relented in creating jobs for our teeming youths.

    “I urge us all to close rank and sweep PDP-led government away at all levels. The other day, I told you that PDP’s umbrella was already leaking. That is apparent to all of us now,” the governor stated.

    Saraki said,“if the President Jonathan could not control Nigerian economy when one barrel of crude oil was over $100 per barrel, how can he manage the economy when a barrel is about $50?”

    “PDP says that we are abusing Mr. President. We are not abusing Mr. President. We have all the respect for the Presidency, we are talking of facts and figures.  PDP and Mr. President promised Nigerians security is their security today? You promised power, is there light today? You promised to fight corruption, is there any change today? You promised to provide job for all our youths, any job today. These are not present today.  We are not being personal, we are talking about issues.

     

  • ABDULLAHI: MY REGRETS AS SPORTS MINISTER

    ABDULLAHI: MY REGRETS AS SPORTS MINISTER

    FORMER MINISTER of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi has expressed regrets over his inabilities to see through the Sports High Performance Programme he started some months ago.

    Speaking in Abuja on Monday, the former Minister who doubled as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission said though he left the Commission a happy man, he would have loved to see through the programme “am happy , I am leaving office a fulfilled man. I thank every one that have supported me all through my tenure. I was not taken aback when I was relieved, because as a politician, you should expect that at any point’.

    He said he tried to reposition the Commission, by striving to lay emphasis on grassroots sports development. He appealed to all stakeholders to support the new minister in his quest to reposition sports in the country in accordance with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The brief handing over ceremony which took place in the Minister’s conference room at the Abuja National stadium saw the former Minister arrived the venue in a Mecedes Benz E320 car at about 11.00am.

    In his speech, the new Minister Tamuno Dangogo revealed that his target is to consolidate on the achievements recorded and building on the existing brands. He vowed to work closely with all Nigerians to move sports forward. He insisted that they can pay attention to all sports without diminishing on the already attained gains.

  • I almost resigned several times – ex-Sports Minister

    Ahmed: Best sports minister by standards

    The sacked minister of sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi on Saturday  recounted his ordeal as a member of President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet before being fired a fortnight ago.

    He said severally he came close to throwing in the trowel but the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed encouraged him to hang on.

    The immediate sports minister spoke  in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at a reception organized for him to welcome him back home.

    He added that he was not surprised by his sack, saying as “a political appointee you expect that you can be relieved of your post anytime.”

    Said he: “Several times I came close to walking away but you always encouraged me to hang on there. I thank you very much and I pray that almighty Allah will continue to guide you, abide by you and he never bring you down. You are my brother and my friend, but I’m not thanking you only for this day. I am thanking you for standing by me throughout very difficult periods.

    “What else can I say, apart to say that the almighty Allah will reward you for the love you have shown to me today. I have never seen anything like this in my life. And in my wildest imagination I did not expect that a day like this will come. As stood in the vehicle waving to the tumultuous crowd all the way from the airport to the Emir’s I kept asking myself what is it that I have done to deserve this and that is why I want Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed very sincerely.

    “I want to thank all the people of Kwara state for of love. I don’t think I know one percent of people that came out to welcome me today. I don’t think I have in any way done anything for one percent of them.

    “What I can say is that what we are celebrating today, that is what God has made possible for me to do in the last three years that you have sent me to Abuja as a minister, I dedicate to all the youths of Kwara state. We, who were born towards the end and after the end of the Nigerian civil war, are the generation that are mostly here today. That is the generation that I belong and what we have done in the last three years has shown that our generation given the opportunity is capable of achieving great things,” Abudulahi said.

  • Babayaro tips Kaduna Utd for success

    Babayaro tips Kaduna Utd for success

    Former Kaduna United Chairman, Sabo Babayaro has congratulated the newly constituted board and management of the club, wishing them the best in the 2012/2013 Premier League Season.

    The vice chairman of the League Management Company (LMC) thanked Nigerian football stakeholders for the support given to him during his tenure as chairman of the club.

    In a letter signed by Babayaro, a copy of which was made available to SportingLife, he also appreciated Kaduna State former governors and the current governor, Dr. Muktar Ramalan Yero.

    Babayaro extended his appreciation to former minister of sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, the current Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), League Management Company, Club Owners’ Association, Kaduna United Supporters’ Club, players, coaches, Nigerian referees led by Ahmed Maude, and board members.

    “I give glory to Almighty Allah for keeping me till today and with his praise I achieved what I was able to achieve with the club. I thank the general public, my former and present collegues for their support. This is also an opportunity for me to thank members of the press and all football stakeholders for their support. I want to wish the new board well and I am confident that the club will achieve great things under their care,” Babayaro stated in his release.

  • Saraki blasts Jonathan over sack of Sports Minister

    Saraki blasts Jonathan over sack of Sports Minister

    •10 governors, other stakeholders to attend grand reception to celebrate Abdullahi

    THE immediate past Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday faulted President Goodluck Jonathan for sacking Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi as sports minister.

    He was sad that the presidency could sacrifice competence for sheer politics.

    Abdullahi was dropped last Wednesday for what the presidency sources described as his refusal to openly identify with President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 elections, and for his closeness to Senator Saraki.

    He had reportedly told the chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in the state that he” is not a politician.”

    He was, at the time of his sack, outside the country on official assignment.

    Notwithstanding, a grand reception awaits the ex-minister in Ilorin, his home town with no fewer than 10 state governors and eminent Kwarans expected to attend.

    The date and scope of the reception were being worked out at press time.

    But Saraki, who broke his silence on Abdulahi’s sack in response to an enquiry from our correspondent, said the ex-minister had always been a professional right from his time as a commissioner under his administration between 2003 and 2011.

    He said: “It is shameful that Bolaji Abdullahi was relieved of his duty as minister mainly because of politics and certainly not for non performance.

    “It is disappointing that in the interest of politics we have compromised competence, and invariably denied our nation the progress it deserves.

    “I do wish Mallam Abdullahi the best of luck in his future endeavours and I am sure wherever he finds himself he will put in his very best as always with the interest of the nation at heart.”

    Speaking on Abdulahi’s character, Saraki said: “I can testify that he has always been professional since he was commissioner under my tenure as Governor in Kwara State. Monumental achievements made under him are still being built upon today.

    “As a fellow Kwaran, I am proud of him for showing Nigerians and the world at large what Kwarans are made of.”

    He said in spite of the sack, it was difficult to write off the incredible performance of Abdullahi.

    He said: “Abdullahi is a great son of Kwara with several milestones at state and national levels. His laudable achievements as Minister of Sports, which include Nigeria’s victory at the last Africa Nations Cup, performance at the Olympics, FIFA World Cup has endeared him to sport lovers and Nigerians in all works of life.”

    Meanwhile, about 10 serving governors have indicated interest in the proposed grand reception for Abdullahi in Ilorin to celebrate his meritorious service to the nation.

    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said most stakeholders in the state have also signified interest in the rally.

    “We are working out a grand reception/ rally for Abdullahi to only mark his excellent performance in office and to send a message that we should not sacrifice merit for partisan politics,” the source said.

    “About 10 governors have indicated interest in the rally. If the PDP can organise unity rally, we also have the right to host merit rally.

    “Contrary to the permutations of the presidency, the sack of Abdullahi will backfire for the president in 2015 in the state. Already, public opinion nationwide does not support the action of the president.”

     

  • Tessy Oliseh off the shelf

    Tessy Oliseh off the shelf

    TESSY, the kid sister of former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, is on her way to matrimony. The one-time fashion designer of the year had her traditional marriage with her heartthrob, Ohimai Godwin Amaize, popularly known as Mr. Fix Nigeria, who is the Special Assistant (Youths and Grassroots Sports) to the former Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, last weekend at Ashton Gardens, Ogba, Lagos. Their white wedding has been slated for April 26th.

    The graduate of Middlesex University and her heartthrob have been an item for a while now, before finally taking their relationship to another level.

    Tessy proved she is a creative designer with their beaded attire for the event.

  • Mixed reactions trail Abdullahi’s removal as sports minister

    Mixed reactions trail Abdullahi’s removal as sports minister

    Mixed reactions on Wednesday trailed the dropping of Bolaji Abdullahi as the Minister of Sports by the Presidency.

    Some Abuja-based sports stakeholders, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said Abdullahi’s removal would not stop the country’s sports development.

    However, some other stakeholders said his exit could have a detrimental effect on growth in the sports sector.

    NAN reports that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the dropping of Abdullahi after 11 new ministers were unveiled at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa.

    Abdullahi had since been replaced by Dr Tamuno Danagogo from Rivers.

    In his reaction, Victor Orji, President of the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA), said the development would not have any negative impact on sports development in the country.

    “Government is a continuum. So, the new minister will just have to continue with the development programmes on ground.

    “Since the Director-General of the National Sports Commission and the other directors are still on ground, they will not want to disrupt the good things the former minister has put in place,’’ he said.

    Orji, however, commended Abdullahi for transforming the sports sector and bringing Nigeria back to winning ways.

    Coach Erasmus Onuh, a former coach of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Football Club of Ilorin, said Abdullahi’s replacement would give him an opportunity to seek higher political office.

    “There is nothing wrong in his removal, because it is a routine thing to be appointed and dropped in the Presidency.

    “Abdullahi has done well within the period he occupied the office. So, he has no cause to regret his removal. His works have spoken for him,’’ Onuh said.

    National beach volleyball coach, Chakuma Ismail, said Abdullahi’s removal at the time Nigeria was witnessing positive changes in sports could be a disservice.

    “He has contributed very well, even though we don’t know the reasons for his removal,’’ he said.

    Coach Zulu Usman of FCT volleyball team expressed fears that Abdullahi’s programmes might be halted by the new minister, and said this could affect the progress on ground.

    “I was not happy when I heard that he has been removed in his absence while on national assignment in Poland.

    “Now, his outlined plans and programmes may be altered by the new person coming and this is not good for us, especially now that we are witnessing good times in most of our sports.

    “Abdullahi has a good record because we recorded more successes during his stay, more than some other sports ministers, and I feel he should have been left to continue,’’ he said.

    Julius Ogunro, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Abdullahi, on his part rued the removal of the now former minister by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Ogunro told NAN that Abdullahi was the best person he had ever worked with.

    “As I am talking to you I am not sure he (Abdullahi) has even got the message of his sack, because he is air borne on his way to Poland for the world athletics indoor championship.

    “The man tried his best for sports. He is the best person I have ever worked with,’’ Ogunro said.

    He enumerated the achievements of Abdullahi to include the convening of the Presidential Retreat on Sports and the peace deal struck between warring parties in the Nigerian football circle.

    Ogunro further listed Abdullahi’s achievements to include the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) won by Nigeria after 19 years and the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

    “Other achievements include the establishment of the League Management Company (LMC) to reposition the elite domestic league and the introduction of the National Youth Games (NYG), among others,’’ he said.

     

  • World Cup: Jonathan boosts Supporters’ Club with N50m

    World Cup: Jonathan boosts Supporters’ Club with N50m

    To ensure the Super Eagles excel at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday approved the release of N50 million cash to Nigerian Supporters’ Club.

    The money, according to the President, will enable the Supporters’ Club prepare adequately for the biennial tournament starting in June 12.

    He made the announcement after he was decorated as the Grand Patron of the Supporters’ Club just before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting started in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    While urging the supporters club not to relent in cheering the team to victory, he also promised to talk to some of the country’s “senior boy”’ to support the supporters’ club members throughout their stay in Brazil.

    He said, “We need to encourage you to go to Brazil. We will give you a token. We will start with N50 million and we will talk to some of our senior boys to support you.”

    As a grand patron now, the President said he will continue to support all sports in the country in all its ramifications.

    On the decoration, Jonathan said, “This decoration is dedicated to all members of my cabinet and all Nigerians of goodwill. I have always been a keen supporter of all sports. I hope to be with you in Brazil.”

    “We want to commend the Nigerian Supporters’ Club for your support to the country. It is therefore joyful to be associated with the supporters club. We really appreciate what you have been doing. The nation is mostly grateful to you all.”

    Speaking earlier, the President General of the Nigerian Super Eagles Supporters’ Club Worldwide, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, noted that the club plans to storm the World Cup in Brazil with 1,000 members.

    “Our plan is to go with 1,000 supporters to the World Cup. 500 will go from Nigeria while the remaining 500 will come from other countries. With your support, Super Eagles will minimally get to the semifinals in the World Cup,” He stated.

    Speaking with State House correspondents on whether a foreign technical adviser should be engaged for the team, Ladipo said, “Steven Keshi has done very well, but he still needs two or three people to help him read the game because he cannot see everything by himself.”

    “But nobody should force down anybody on him. He should be allowed to make his decision.”

    The Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, assisted Ladipo to decorate the President with white Agbada dotted with green-coloured design and green hat to match. He was also decorated with big golden neck chain, trophy and black walking stick to match.

     

  • World Cup: FG assures on adequate funding for Eagles

    World Cup: FG assures on adequate funding for Eagles

    The Federal Government will adequately fund the Super Eagles to the World Cup in June, the sports minister has assured.

    Nigeria qualified for its fifth World Cup in November, but there are serious concerns that the delay in the passage of the 2014 budget could adversely affect the team build-up for Brazil 2014, MTNFootball.com reports.

    Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi on Monday gave the assurance the cash will be available for the team in good time.

    “The Nigeria Football Federation has submitted the financial plans to the National Sports Commission and we have finished work on it and sent it to the appropriate quarters and we believe that it would receive priority attention,” MTNFootball.com quoted Abdullahi as saying on Monday.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that the plans for the World Cup would go very well.

    “We would give all the support that is necessary to the Nigeria Football Federation to succeed because if they succeed, everyone is happy.”

    Nigeria faces Mexico on March 5 in a warm-up game and several other tune-up matches are planned for the team.

    The Eagles will set up a training camp in Houston, United States, from May 25.

    The African champions will play Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran in the first round of the World Cup, which kicks off in June.