www.senatorchukwumerije.org - Voice of the voiceless in the Nigerian Senate

MOTION     FAILURE OF SUPER EAGLES IN 26TH AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS   The Senate   Observes the growing importance of sports, especially soccer, as one of the major sources of promoting national self-esteem and cultivating positive international image,   Concerned about the inglorious exit of Nigeria from the 26th Africa Cup of Nations competition in Africa and the deeper implications of the defeat to the nation’s self-worth and international (especially African) standing,   Recalls that the defeat fits into a history of dismal performance in which Nigeria has won the Cup only twice in her fifteen appearances out of twenty six editions of this prestigious continental competition,   Observes also that this performance compares very poorly with the performances of several, less endowed, African states,   Notes that the advantages of successful management of sports include, on the home front, enhanced youth motivation and discipline, reinforced national pride and sharpened consciousness of nationhood and, on the international front, a favourable image and higher respect,   Concerned that Nigeria has not been able to reap these benefits because of her record of epileptic and dismal performance in international competitions,   Observes further that the cheerless history of defeats and continual loss of respect have created dissatisfaction and depression in the generality of the people,   Notes further that the Sports Ministry’s traditional quick-fix approach comprising a pattern of cycles of panic management measures, spells of euphoria, and relapses into defeat and recriminations, has proved futile,     Concerned that the pattern of mediocre performance, re-enacted in recent Africa Cup of Nations’ will perpetuate itself, if the desired remedy is limited to such quick-fix panic measures,   Determined to find a clean break with this inept and lackluster past, Accordingly resolves:   1.                 To condemn the poor performance of our Super Eagles in the 26th Edition of the Nations Cup held in Accra, Ghana, from 20th January to 10th February, 2008.   2.                 To urge Mr. President, C-in-C to immediately (i) disband the NFA and NSC, and (ii) sack the national coach, Berti Vogts, as a minimum evidence of Nigeria’s determination to initiate a new beginning,   3.                 To invite the Minister of Sports to explain to the Senate the circumstances of our dismal and deplorable performance in the just concluded 26th Edition of the Nations Cup in Ghana and other international competitions in general, and to show the Ministry’s blueprint for well-articulated and comprehensive national sports development, designed to nurture and sustain grass-roots-based home-grown integral sports structures.   4.                 To direct the Committee On Sports to organize public hearing on the management of our soccer and sports in general and report its findings to the Senate within 3 weeks.       Senator Uche Chukwumerije   1.                 Senator Uche Chukwumerije 2.                 Senator Effiong Bob 3.                 Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan 4.                 Senator Omar A. Hambagda 5.                 Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw 6.                 Senator Patrick E. Osakwe 7.                 Senator James Ebiowou Manager 8.                 Senator Joseph Iorshagher Akaagerger 9.                 Senator Aloysius Akpan Etok 10.             Senator Anyim C. Ude 11.             Senator Ehigie Edobor Uzamere 12.             Senator Adefemi Kila 13.             Senator Ayogu Eze 14.             Senator Grace Folashade Bent 15.             Senator Tawar Umbi Wada 16.             Senator Ibrahim Saminu Turaki 17.             Senator Caleb Zagi 18.             Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi 19.             Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya 20.             Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Ida 21.             Senator Smart Adeyemi 22.             Senator Mohammed Ahmed 23.             Senator Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora 24.             Senator Ganiyu O. Solomon 25.             Senator Abubakar Danso Sodangi 26.             Senator Dahiru A. Kuta 27.             Senator Nuhu Aliyu 28.             Senator Bode Olajumoke 29.             Senator John Nanzip Shagaya 30.             Senator George Thompson Sekibo 31.           Senator Lee Ledogo Maeba 32.           Senator Umaru Dahiru 33.           Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello 34.           Senator Manzo Anthony 35.           Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah 36.           Senator Gbemi Saraki-Fowora 37.           Senator Osita Izunaso 38.           Senator Paulker Emmanuel 39.           Senator Patricia Naomi Akwashiki 40.           Senator Chimaroke Nnamani   THE MOTION ON THE DEFEAT OF SUPER EAGLES IN 26TH AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS WHICH ENDED IN ACCRA ON FEBRUARY 11, 2008   This motion is about the wider implications of Nigeria’s defeat in the last edition of Africa Cup of Nations held in Accra. I waited till the end of the competition to raise this motion. The competition ended last weekend.   If Nigeria’s performance is just about the fun of sports, one would have considered the issue a bit infradig for this august body. But it is more than this. For two reasons, the Senate is urged to take interest in the nation’s performance.   The first reason is that sports generally, especially soccer, has become an auxiliary tool of a nation’s diplomacy in modern international politics. It is a major avenue of promoting goodwill and even respect for victorious nations in the world today.   Secondly, it is a weapon of cultivating self-esteem and other benefits at home. In a culture of healthy national sports competition, a state’s bond of nationhood is reinforced.   Our failure in Accra in the 26th African Cup of Nations is not an exception. It is typical of our poor performance in international competitions. It is shameful that in 26 editions of the Cup of Nations and in 15 appearances Nigeria has been able to lift the cup only twice –– far below the performance of other, less endowed, African States.   The result? Abroad, especially in Africa, Nigeria is the object of taunts and sneers about a clay-footed giant. At home, the people feel diminished by our record of continual failure and the stubborn evidence of our consistent insistence on our inability to organize ourselves in the area of sports.   It is also alarming from another perspective. The malaise in our sports management may be a mirror of the national malaise in many other spheres.   Mr. President, distinguished Senators, we must decide that enough is enough. The purpose of this motion is to give the Senate the opportunity to call the nation’s attention to the seriousness of a self-inflicted injury and urge the relevant authorities to take urgent remedial steps to raise this nation to the fullness of her potential stature in sports, as a complement of our leading political stature in Africa. This reproach must be removed from this nation.   Senator Uche Chukwumerije February 12, 2008

MOTION ON NIGERIA’S INDIFFERENCE TO THE WELFARE OF HER CITIZENS: THE CASE OF MR DENNIS NWANKWO     Mr. President Sir, Distinguished Senators,   I bring this motion to alert us, as the highest law-making organ of the Federation, of the delinquent character of the Nigerian State. One of the characteristics of a delinquent State is her indifference to the welfare of her citizens –– her unwillingness or inability to accept responsibility over her citizens.   The case of the indifference of the Nigerian State to the murder of a Nigerian, one Mr. Dennis Nwankwo in Malaysia, illustrates this. Mr. Nwankwo was a student in an institution in Malaysia. He was killed by unknown assassins. The father of the deceased was informed of the incident by the College authorities. He contacted the representative of the Nigerian State in Kuala Lumpur, i.e. the Consular and High Commission, for a help on such a basic duty as information on the cause of his son’s death. The reply from the High Commission was that it had forwarded the letter to the Ministry of External Affairs for further directives. A few weeks later, a letter came from the Ministry, asking the bereaved father: “what next?” as if the family never indicated any request to the Nigerian State. The father in reply sent to the Minister a copy of his earlier letter to its High Commission. That was in July. Till now, no reply!   Could there be a more eloquent evidence of a delinquent and irresponsible State –– a State that bears no responsibility towards her citizens?   Besides being delinquent, the Nigerian State portrays herself as self-derogatory and self-demeaning. If she gives the impression that she regards her citizens in foreign lands as orphaned stateless citizens, the foreign governments are encouraged to treat such citizens as no-persons. This is a denial of recognition of the sovereign State of Nigeria, a deprecatory attitude encouraged by Nigeria’s lack of responsibility to her citizens.   The case of Mr. Nwankwo is not an exception. I am compiling other cases which will be the subject of a more comprehensive motion.   Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, this attitude mocks the sovereign status of Nigeria and devalues her existence as a State with contract obligations to her citizens. I urge that you support this motion which among other benefits, will arouse Nigeria from her slumber of self-derogation in the community of nations. An African proverb says that whatever name a Parent gives her child –– boy, girl, animal, wood –– is what the whole society will call such a child. Nigeria should stop calling her citizens stateless no-persons in the international community.         Senator Uche Chukwumerije February 12, 2008