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Tag: Edema Fuludu

  • Fuludu affirms football remains powerful tool for unity

    Fuludu affirms football remains powerful tool for unity

    Delta Ethnic Cup kicks off

    Former  Nigeria internationals, Edema Fuludu, has emphasized the power of football in uniting people and attracting development to an area.

    Fuludu said as much during the flag off of the 2024 Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup, being organized by the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) in collaboration with the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) at Ode-Itsekiri, Warri South Local Government Area.

    Other ex-internationals at the event were Sam Sodje and Bright Omokaro.

    Fuludu lauded the initiative for its focus on unity and development as he reflected on the historical impact of football.

    “Football once stopped the Nigerian Civil War during a match featuring the legendary Pele. This sport has the power to unite and create opportunities for youth development,” he said,

    Read Also: NFF urge Edo Queens to win CAF Women’s Champions League title

    The 1994 Africa Cup of  Nations (AFCON)  winner  also stressed that football can help youths avoid vices like drug abuse while instilling discipline and leadership qualities.

    The ceremony which featured a novelty football match had teams from six ethnic groups; the first team comprised Ijaw and Itsekiri players, while the second team had participants from Ndokwa, Ika, Isoko, and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.

    Speaking at the event, CEPEJ’s National Coordinator, Chief Sheriff Mulade, emphasized the tournament’s goal of fostering peace and unity among Delta ethnic groups.

     “This tournament has spanned over 10 years, and the November 16th  flag-off date was chosen to align with the United Nations International Day of Tolerance.

     “This project is for all Deltans. Let us join hands to create a legacy of unity and progress,” he said.

    In his address, the Chairman of Ode-Itsekiri community, Anthony Odonghanro, noted that bringing the event to the community would boost unity among the ethnic nationalities.

    He however, decried the under-utilization of the “world-class” football pitch built by former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick.

    The tournament features 24 teams from Delta’s six ethnic groups competing for the grand prize of N5 million and the matches will be played across the state, culminating in the finals on December 8, 2024.

  • EDEMA FULUDU From football pitch to political turf

    Former Nigerian International, Edema Fuludu in this interview with Desmond Ekwueme opens up on why he is throwing his hat into the political ring. Without a political godfather, the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner says he ‘wants to take back power to the people.’ Excerpts…..

    Why the switch from football to politics?

    I am a human being and so naturally a political animal. The switch is passive to active politics. Football has given me a quality platform to make the switch seamlessly. A known face can be judged quite easily than an unknown.

    What is the motivation behind your decision?

    The salient reason is that for too long we complain about governance and say society is bad while it’s just a few bad people calling the shots that make it bad because they have political power. Good people complain and stay aloof. I am a good person with a good heart ready to impact on the society positively.

    Many believe in our clime that without a political godfather, it is always a futile journey into politics, so who is your godfather in this journey so to say?

    Political godfathers is an item in our political landscape but this also is becoming obsolete because the people are beginning to have political awareness to take conscious decisions about who represents them devoid of stomach infrastructure needs. We are witnessing a paradigm shift. God is my father and he is bigger than the biggest godfather.

     What do you hope to bring on board if elected that is lacking at the moment in your constituency?

    I want to take power back to the people where decisions on what affects them directly are taken collectively. I want to be able to touch more of our children, youths and women especially through scholarships, empowerment and healthcare. Scholarships means allowing those who have good grades and desire not to be hindered by lack of funds. Empowerment at grass roots in trade and commerce for women. Healthcare through health centres for curative health and sport centres for preventive. I want to push for legislation that will make sports funding and it’s undeniably positive effects on youth development visible and responsible.

    Again they say, those with fat purses venture into politics, how expensive is Nigerian politics and how have you managed to fund your project?

    Certainly funding is necessary but not a sufficient condition for one to run for an office. All over the world money is needed for political pursuit but we have elevated it wrongly in our clime to scare the small minded. I have absolute belief that those who believe in my pedigree and capacity will rally round me when my own resources dwindle. Good people within and outside my constituency have even started assisting. My determination is unequal. People do not support ‘legberes’ that is the lazy man.

    Many describe politics as a dangerous and dirty game, have you experienced any friction to justify this believe or claim in the course of your campaigns, rallies or movements?

    The dirtiness is orchestrated by the few bad people for the good ones to always see danger at all times. I have been preaching nonviolence and the power of love. Those who seek power for power sake are evil minded. Yes deceptions are part of the game and its dirty but physical attacks and primordial innuendos must be condemned at all times. We must rise from ethnic, tribal and bestial politics to that of issues of governance that impacts on the common man. I do not pray to be attacked: me or my team physically because we preach love and issues of togetherness. How long have you nursed the ambition of entering the murky waters of politics? Well I actually registered with the PDP in 2003 in my Ward but my desire to become active came early last year. The water is murky indeed.

    What encouragements have you received from your former colleagues in football in making your political dream come true?

    Oh; a lot of encouragement in prayers mostly because of the same fear of the murkiness perceived. But they believe absolutely that I am capable and rich in knowledge to represent so they are happy over the guts and courage I have.

     Do you see your adventure into politics as a clarion call on your likes as ex-internationals to join the political train?

    Yes. I have often reiterated that a book should not be judged by its cover. When I first declared I was told by many to go run for office in the NFF but after constructively engaging them, the perception that footballers are school drop-outs was completely erased. I left the University of Benin in 1987 with a second class upper degree in Business Administration and after my professional career went back to the same university (Uniben) and had my MBA in 2001. I have worked locally and internationally as a logistics officer. A trained coach, administrator and manager of men and scarce resources. All ex-internationals cannot become coaches as that is the preconceived box for us. I dare others to step forward. A word for the good people of your constituency…. I have a few words for the good people of my constituency in the quotes I have sent out before. We are alive but dead when we consciously mortgage our tomorrow for the cash at hand. A man without a conscience has no soul. If you do not care about yourself what of the children and women the most vulnerable in the society. Our lives begin to die  if our and children’s future become bleak when money becomes the only consideration for crucial decisions we make in life.

  • AFCON Qualifiers: Mikel, Ighalo’s absence won’t make difference -Fuludu

    AFCON Qualifiers: Mikel, Ighalo’s absence won’t make difference -Fuludu

    A former international, Edema Fuludu, says the absence of Mikel Obi and Odion Ighalo will not make any difference in the Super Eagles formation when they play South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Sunday.

    The Eagles will host the South African national team at Uyo in the ongoing qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be staged by Cameroon.

    Fuludu, a member of the victorious 1994 AFCON squad, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that the coach, Genort Rohr, had reasons for not playing them.

    NAN reports that the captain of the team, Mikel, and striker Ighalo, will be missing in action in the qualifying match against Banana Banana of South Africa on June 11.

    “The truth is that whether they are present or not, the show must go on and it’s important that we don’t disrupt the current formation of the players.

    “They have won their matches back to back which has shown that they are making progress; the technical adviser has an approach to each match.

    “I’m sure there are still roles that they can play and also remembering that Mikel has an injury.

    “Contrary to speculations that the choice of the location of their clubs maybe a hindrance, everyone has a fair chance of playing in the team,’’ he said.

    Fuludu, a former central defender, said that one of the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) mandates to Rohtr Gohr is to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify for the Nations Cup.

    “How he chooses to go about the qualifiers is totally up to him to a large extent.

    “He has a target and in his projection, he must have been able to analyse the players that fit into his plans.

    “So, it’s totally up to him, their absence is not a snub whatsoever, we know they are experienced players, we can’t take that away from them,’’ he said.

    On his expectations, the former Manager of Warri Wolves FC, told NAN that the match won’t be a walk in the park.

    “The thing is that in as much as this match is crucial to us, we must tie all loose ends; there is no luxury for slips, we need to take our chances.

    “It’s key that they play as a team, also they should play according to instruction and they should use their discretion when necessary,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Group B of the competition consists of Nigeria, Zambia, Algeria and Cameroon.

  • Fuludu: Warri Wolves to bounce back to NPFL soon

    Fuludu: Warri Wolves to bounce back to NPFL soon

    A former Head Coach of Warri Wolves FC of Delta, Edema Fuludu, on Monday has said that preparations are on to return the football club back to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    Fuludu, a former Central Midfielder of the Super Eagles made this known in Lagos that the team would bounce back.

    “I believe football fans of Wolves are seriously anticipating their return,’’ he said.

    Fuludu said that his former club (Warri Wolves) had no business playing in the Nigeria National League (NNL)

    According to him, efforts were being made to ensure that “Warri Wolves gain promotion back into the Nigeria Professional Football League ’’.

    “Relegation is one of those things that happen in football. It can happen to any club.

    “We will come back stronger. We are currently looking inwards to address so many issues.

    “Wolves is going through a phase. We are learning and making corrections.

    “We will bounce back with a bang,” Fuludu said.

    Warri Wolves were relegated after the end of the 2015/2016 season where they finished 17th on the league table.

    “But as we all know, football is capital intensive. If you want a good player, you need to be ready to splash out money to attract the players you need, to succeed.

    “Wolves belong to the NPFL, and not the NNL. It is just a temporary setback.

    “The player you get will now determine how far you will go to achieve the set goals. So is about funding the team, which I believe the state government is working toward, ‘’ Fuludu said.

    The Chairman of the football club, Steve Cole, said that with the current ongoing football developmental programmes, relegated Warri Wolves would bounce back stronger.

    According to Cole, the Delta Government’s focus was to ensure that there was a transition programme in place to promote quality players.

     

  • Eagles were not Super

    Eagles were not Super

    Considering the predictions before the Super Eagles took on Iran, Nigerians believed that the Super Eagles would score plenty of goals against Iran but that didn’t happen as passionate Nigerian fans were left in shock as the Super Eagles were forced to share points with Iran in their World Cup opener in Group F.

    Ex-International,Edema Fuludu noted that tactical failure was what cost the Super Eagles the maximum points in that match.

    “The Super Eagles were not Super against Iran. The match was poor more because of tactical failure, they were doing long balls to our attackers in the first half and they continued in the same fashion in the second half,” said Edema.

    Nigeria will have to step up in their second match on the 21st of June when they face Bosnia & Herzegovina who lost to Argentina but pundits rate Bosnia as much tougher than Iran. Edema Fuludu believes that the Super Eagles will launch their plan B in their second match.

    “I believe there will be a plan B against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Every first match is tough with obvious anxiety dominating the teams. We will improve in the next game,” Edema said confidently.