Missing in Action (MIA) on a Hiatus called "National Assignment"

In service of our fatherland, I was called in December 2012, to join the premier league reform program of the Nigeria Football federation (NFF).  That committee then crystallized the road map to the birth of the LMC (League Management Company).  For almost 2 years now, I have been actively working with my committee colleagues and some progressives, to steady the ship, called elite football, in the fragile transitional road map we have designed for the sustainable development of this beautiful and highly potentially viable enterprise and brand, called the NPFL (Nigeria Professional Football League).

For two seasons now, we have seen some marginal, but critically centered changes, in attitudes, practices and some behavioral changes.  It is not yet uhuru, but I believe we are on course towards achieving some real solid reforms.

On this journey, I became exposed to a lot of things, that I would hitherto have taken for granted.

I have seen the best and worst of human nature, and what true hooliganism, and sporting gentility is really like.

I have come to lose and gain respect for all manner of people involved in Nigerian sports administration. In the field of journalism, specifically sports writers!! Many will gain my praise any day, for their dedication, commitment and the way they have behaved, with the pen at their hands (some with microphones), but shockingly enough, some "so called" veterans and esteemed reporters and sports aficionados, are nothing but "useless liars, good for nothing "sell outs" with no scruples left in them". They have become the laughing stock of their trade and it is sad to see that they have not realized that the dye is cast for them and their kind....Shame.

I have also experienced some of the worst behavior of human beings, and how they can collude to destroy anything good because of the phrase "protection of our interests".. which has become the new mantra for destructive behavior in Nigeria.  I have witnessed first hand, how money can drive development and as well destroy any meaningful progress.

I have also witnessed some of the greatest moments of my existence.  Sunday Mba of Warri wolves/Rangers, scoring the championship winning goal for AFCON 2013.  I also saw other memorable achievement by players, officials and teams predominantly made up from the local football scene.  I saw the LMC mark a one year milestone, with support of the team managers and club managers, and the federation.  We had relative peace during this time of my national assignment.

I am proud to have been part of the relative peace in the elite football environment.  More needs to be done, as we fear from the game falling into disrepute and being taken hostage by sycophants and power drunken mad people, whose obsession with winning at all cost is only rivaled by desperadoes in high places.

All in all, it wasnt a bad time away.  But I am back now, and rearing to go.  Expect my usual weekly doses of more sporting and lifestyle focused pieces, in "life, as I see it"..

Till next week.  Be good, and congratulations to Nigeria, for being declared "Ebola Free"...A heart warming news in the midst of challenging news.....Please lets keep those sanitizers handy and keep up the renewed improved hygiene and health conscious culture....  It has saved our lives.. Why stop it now...  Take care of you...