.. calls it a symptom of national corruption
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the alleged mismanagement of funds released by FIFA to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for stadium development and youth sports.
Obi described the situation as a reflection of the deep-rooted corruption that continues to undermine the nation’s progress.
In a statement on Sunday, he expressed disappointment over FIFA’s revelation that funds meant for football infrastructure and youth talent development in Nigeria were misused.
“FIFA’s recent revelation about the mismanagement of funds released to Nigeria’s Football Federation for stadium development and youth talent growth is both sickening and shameful. It perfectly mirrors the broader decay in how our scarce national resources are handled,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor recalled that during his administration, officials from the Sports Federation informed his government that Awka had been selected as one of six locations for a FIFA-standard stadium project to be fully funded by FIFA.
He said land was immediately allocated for the project, but nothing was heard afterward.
“Years later, nothing came of the promised FIFA project, which prompted us to initiate the construction of the Awka Stadium ourselves,” Obi explained.
He lamented that despite Nigeria reportedly receiving about $25 million from FIFA and CAF since 2013 for football and youth development, there was little to show for it. He cited the much-criticized $1.2 million stadium in Kebbi State as “a national embarrassment.”
Obi criticized those who accuse reform-minded leaders of “demarketing” Nigeria when they speak against corruption, insisting that the real damage to Nigeria’s image comes from the leaders who misuse public funds.
“The real demarketers of Nigeria are the incompetent leaders who have forged their way to wealth through mismanagement and theft of public funds — resources that should have been used to provide schools, healthcare, employment, and nurture youth talents,” he said.
He added that the decay in the sporting sector reflects the larger rot in the system and the neglect of the country’s young population.
“Our youths are our most prized assets, yet we have destroyed their future and then turned around to label them ‘Yahoo boys,’ when in truth, the leaders who have robbed them of their future are the real ‘Yahoo’ of our nation,” he said.
Obi called for renewed commitment to integrity, accountability, and transparency in governance.
He concluded, “While we continue to grapple with insecurity, poverty, and the rising unemployment among our youths, the most heartbreaking reality remains the entrenched corruption that permeates every facet of our nation — especially in the critical sectors that could help lift Nigeria in these challenging times.
“This is yet another shameful reflection of the corruption we have allowed to take root in Nigeria. If we truly desire to rebuild our country, we must begin with integrity and accountability in every aspect and sector. Until then, our nation will continue to crawl where it should be soaring.”
READ ALSO FROM SPORTING TRIBUNE
