Adokiye Amiesimaka, MON
Nigeria ex-international and former commissioner of justice and attorney general of Rivers State, Adokiye Amiesimaka (MON) has declined his membership of the committee to produce a 10-year Football Development Masterplan in Nigeria.
The legal luminary while turning down the offer reminded the Minister that reports on similar subjects by other committees, some of which he was a member, were received with higher commendation by the authorities only to gather dust.
In a letter addressed to the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development and dated October 12, 2021, which we are privy to, Amiesimaka also insisted that he did not want to waste his time and public funds for a report that might not see the light of the day after submission.
The letter read in parts, “I refer to your letter FMYSD/FEAD/NFF/CORR/014/VOLIV of 7th September 2021 and state without equivocation that beyond clichés and perfunctory responses, but consistent with my natural disposition. I always feel honoured to be considered worthy to serve my beloved country in any capacity. Thank you, sir.
“Nevertheless, it is apposite to recall that carefully thought-through reports on similar subjects by other communities, some of which I was privileged to serve on, were received with high commendation by the authorities, only to gather dust.
“Regrettably, there is no indication whatsoever that things will be any different this time around.
“Accordingly, I respectfully decline your kind offer, as to do otherwise would amount to a waste of my time and public funds,
It will be recalled that the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare on Thursday inaugurated 16-man Committee to develop the football strategy that will enhance government roles at the three-tier of government; Federal, State, Local well as the private sector in partners and social enterprise sector in the development of the game.
The Committee was also expected to put an end to the inconsistent, irregular football calendar; lack of professionalism in Nigeria club administration, fall out of the lack of enforcement of licensing and financial controls; and the inability to produce and sustain a conducive environment for private investors and funders.
But, the learned gentleman in his letter claimed that reports on similar subjects received by the authorities in the past have not seen the light of the day, therefore, the inaugurated committee might just be the same, stressing that there are no indications that this one will be different.
