Even as things may not look too bright in all other sectors under his tenure, President Goodluck Jonathan has been described as the top in sports ahead of all the past Nigerian leaders.
The Nigerian sports has been claimed to have won more trophies and laurels under his administration.
His close exit from power has not diminished his love for sports as he is supporting the ongoing President Cup holding in Abuja.
The President Cup is an annual football competition aimed at discovering new talents to feed the various Nigeria’s national football teams.
Jonathan through the Minister of Sports, Tammy Daminagogo kicked-off the opening football match of the maiden President Cup competition between Kano and Kaduna teams at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja last week Monday.
Total of sixteen teams in four groups are slugging it out in four venues in Abuja including the National Stadium, Old Parade Ground Area 10, FIFA Goal Project and Sports centre Area 3.
Other states featuring in the competition are Lagos, Plateau, FCT, Imo, Abia, Oyo, Benue, Ondo.
Also featuring in the competition are Zamfara, Bauchi, Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Enugu.
President Jonathan, who will be busy with preparations for the handover and inauguration of the incoming government, is again expected to be represented at the final match of the competition billed for the main bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja by 3.00 p.m tomorrow, 27th of May.
There is no doubt that the football competition has offered the youths some fun and some level of exposure towards selling them to the world.
Besides picking some injuries during the competition, some of the players may get the opportunity to sign up for some local football clubs as many football coaches throng the venues of the competition, scouting for young, talented players.
Some of them might even get luckier to be called up to any of the national teams at the end of the competition.
But with the Jonathan’s administration ending in the next three days, there is anxiety among the players if the competition will go beyond this first edition.
When Jonathan, Aso Villa worshipers part ways
Last week Sunday was not only the last church service President Goodluck Jonathan attended at the Aso Villa Chapel under his tenure, but it was the last service to be conducted by the Anglican Communion under the leadership of the Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba.
This is because Sunday service was not held at the Chapel two days ago as May 24 has been scheduled for an interdenominational service at the National Christian Centre as part of programme for the inauguration of the incoming government.
To say that the service in the Chapel last week Sunday was emotion-filled is understatement as the key players managed to keep tears away from the thanksgiving and farewell service.
Apart from friends and well-wishers of the first family attending the service in large number which warranted an extension outside the hall with canopies and chairs, the choir, ushers and other members of the chapel were colorfully dressed for the day.
While Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan confessed that they were going to miss the Chapel, the choir and other departments in the church, every minister who handled the microphone during the service also did not hide their feelings that they were going to miss the first family.
The ministers recalled that the first family had never failed them any time they were embarking on any project in the church.
What even excited the church most was the fact that Jonathan and the wife were leaving the State House, Abuja healthy and alive against evil predictions.
Their safety and divine protection to the end of their tenure, some of the ministers noted, contrasted the experiences of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who lost his wife, Stella Obasanjo in office and former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who died in office in 2010.
Highlight of the service was presentation of gifts to the first family by the Aso Villa Chapel Committee and the children department.
After May 29, the Vice President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is the highest Christian public office holder in the incoming government, is going to be the political leader of the Chapel.
He is expected to take over the Chapel and move in clergy men from the Penticostal segment of the Christiandom to provide spiritual leadership.
Being a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), he may also try to provide the leadership himself.
Villa set for Buhari
With three days to the handover of governance from President Goodluck Jonathan to the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, the seat of power seems set to receive Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Apart from various repairs, cleaning and paintings done to some of the facilities in the State House in preparation for the new government, there is a mixed expectations from the staff in the Villa.
Some of the key presidential aides closed to the out-going President, who have really enjoyed the tenure, are not too happy that the administration is coming to an end.
Those among them, who are yet to fully clear their tables, have almost removed all their personal belongings from their offices as they are leaving the Villa with the President.
Some top management civil servants, who have also enjoyed the outgoing government, have hoped that the administration will never come to an end. They are not too sure of what the future holds for them.
But majority of the State House staff are in high spirit as May 29 draws near. They are full of expectation that the coming change of government will change their fortunes for good in no distant time.
Most of the residents surrounding the Presidential Villa, who happen to come from the northern part of the country, are also excited with the coming change.
To inspect and familiarize themselves with what is on ground before the handover date, President Jonathan is billed to lead Buhari and Osinbajo on tour of the Presidential Villa on Thursday 28th May.
