Niger State Gov Under Fire Over Chelsea, Arsenal Match

PHOTO: NIGER State Governor Abubakar Sani


NIGER State Governor Abubakar Sani has come under criticism following
his trip to London to watch Saturday's Premier League game between
Chelsea and Arsenal.

Residents of the state on Monday described the governor's visit to
Stamford Bridge as "frivolous" considering the financial problems of
the state.

However, the governor explained on his Twitter page that he was at
Stamford Bridge to watch the match at the instance of Chelsea
midfielder Mikel Obi, who plans to set up a football academy in the
state.

"I was at Stamford Bridge to watch the derby between Chelsea and
Arsenal at the invitation of John Obi Mikel," he wrote.

According to him, Mikel approached the state government to partner
with the state in developing its sports, stressing that it will be
wrong to turn down an investor who is willing to invest in the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibraheem Dooba, said Bello
was in Europe and his visit to Stamford Bridge was part of his
itinerary since he was to meet other international development
partners, adding that he was invited by Mikel.

But a trader, Moses Akwu said, "Things are hard for us in Niger while
our governor is travelling to watch matches. I heard they said he was
invited but is it not government resources that he used to go on the
trip?

"We did not vote him in to watch football, we voted him because we
want him to work and bring back the lost glory of the state. Watching
matches is not governance, it is absolute recklessness."

Another resident, Gambo Mohammed, said the governor needed to focus on
governance.

"Sports development is not what Niger State needs now. We need jobs
for our unemployed youths, boost for our economy and agriculture, and
good roads."

Bello had on August 31 warned sports officials not to use his name to
organise sports competitions. He made this known when board members of
the Nigeria Chess Federation and the state hockey team that won the
National Super League visited him.

The President of Nigeria Chess Federation Suleman Gora had requested
to organise a national championship in his honour which he objected
saying, "I am not a billboard."

-PUNCH