Ordinarily, I would have titled this write-up ‘Open Letter to Olumide Oyedeji,’ but I don’t want to water down the importance and impact of its content under the guise of creativity in the genre of epistolary literature.
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Rather than allow this piece to be read and pushed aside as a mere addition to your entertainment for the weekend, which need not be taken with all seriousness, I humbly present the content as something of urgent national interest for Nigeria’s basketball sector.
Incidentally, I must confess that the motivation behind the subject matter was inspired by some truly touching yet veritable words from ‘Ozogula’ himself – Honourable Bukola Olopade (DG) – who pointed out during the week that ‘true reconciliation is best achieved by preaching peace.’
He gave that didactic expression in reaction to a formal letter from Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA) general-secretary, Andreas Zagklis, who confirmed the position of Colonel Sam Ahmedu (retired) as a ‘de facto’ ex-officio member of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) – by virtue of his seniority to any other guru of the game from this country.
However, as ‘DG’ spoke in support of Ahmedu, the thought that came to my mind regarding peace in the NBBF was more about agitations that were ignited by two ex-internationals – Olumide Oyedeji and Ejike Ugboaja – after they lost last week’s vote for the basketball Federation president’s seat to Dr Abdullahi Mustapha.
With both former players (especially Oyedeji) crying blue murder, the onus of peace appears to be distant and far between. So, rather than for us to keep all talk revolving around Col. Sam Ahmedu, methinks the best move now is to call Oyedeji to order!
Yes, in a way that was similar to widespread condemnation of the ‘alleged third-term bid’ by the NBBF’s immediate past president, Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida, and the bandwagon of criticism that hit him, shouldn’t we all speak out as one and urge Oyedeji to sheathe his sword?
Don’t get me wrong. I actually wrote three weeks ago on this same page that the emergence of Oyedeji and Ugboaja in the race for the NBBF’s top seat was like a breath of fresh air; which I reckobed would take the game of giants into the jet for Nigeria.
I even recommended that Nigeria’s football ex-internationals should follow suit and aspire in their droves for the top seat at Sunday Dankaro House in Abuja, just as Oyedeji and Ugboaja were doing for basketball. In fact, I still want to see more of our ex-internationals join Ben Akwuegbu in the zeal to become the next president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Conversely, the same no longer applies to the NBBF, because the election has come and gone, with a winner declared through the highest number of votes cast. So, rather than cry over spilt milk, Oyedeji should play the role of a true democrat (like Goodluck Jonathan) and wait patiently for another four years to contest again.
As it were, his hands are even full of many other portfolios already – Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Camp, Athletes Commission of Nigeria, Nigerian Olympians Association, World Olympians et al. Won’t he be biting more than he can chew by adding NBBF’s top job to his already full menu?
Aside from all of these cogent points, we all know that Oyedeji is a vastly exposed man who knows how things run in saner societies, where people end all diatribe after elections and congratulate the winner (unless you want to be an iconoclast like Trump).
So, rather than keep on fanning the embers of discord, I solemnly go on all fours and appeal to Olumide Oyedeji to ‘allow genuine reconciliation come to Nigerian basketball by preaching peace.’
