Rio Olympics: Dangote, others missing as Japanese billionaire offers broke Nigeria mega-money rewards
No doubt sport minister Solomon Dalung can parade the length and breadth of his “United States of Nigeria” wearing a red cap atop khaki whatever. Aside that he seems bereft of ideas.
Dalung’s seeming ineptitude has resulted in an Olympic-grade international embarrassment for Nigeria.
Who Dalung “epp”? Nobody, apparently. He’s comfortable shifting the blame elsewhere.
#NGR sports minister Dalung to CNN: "Siasia is not an employee of the ministry, non-payment of salary is wrong but there's nothing I can do"
— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) August 13, 2016
Note: Samson Siasia is coach of Nigeria’s U-23 side. He’s not been paid for five months. Dalung’s response seem the right answer, right?
Okay, let’s leave the minister be. Whatever happened to the richest man in Africa?
Hasn’t he seen this tweet?
ナイジェリアのサッカーチームがメダル取ったら褒美はいくら？って問い合わせが来たので「全員にもれなく、金メダル300万円、銀メダル200万円、銅メダル100万円を各自に手渡す」と伝えたぞなう。
— 高須克弥 (@katsuyatakasu) August 13, 2016
Katsuya Takasu is a billionaire cosmetic surgeon. He’s Japanese.
Here’s what he’s saying.
.@katsuyatakasu loves the fighting spirit of #NGR #football team. Saddened to read about their financial woes. Hence #RIO2016 medal rewards.
— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) August 13, 2016
#JPN businessman @katsuyatakasu has promised to reward #NGR players ¥3m $30k each for #Olympic #Gold, #Silver: ¥2m $20k & #Bronze:¥1m $10k.
— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) August 13, 2016
Approximately: Three million Yen = 9.4 million Naira.
A man in far away Japan seems more embarrassed by Nigeria’s share of #RioProblems (money woes, actually) that he’s offered to inspire the football team, not table face-reddening excuses.
Odd enough, it was Japan — Takasu’s country — the Nigerian football team first defeated after arriving Brazil late because of the seeming ineptitude of the sports ministry led by red-cap wearing, most likely clueless Solomo Dalung.
Oh…let’s leave the old man young man alone.
Again, where is Dangote?
He’s the richest man in Africa. Is he helping Team Nigeria behind the scenes?
Perhaps President Muhammadu Buhari won’t subsidize forex for Dangote should he decide to wire some funds to Brazil. Christian and Muslim pilgrims enjoy better.
Where is Otedola? And that Indimi man? Where are Tinubu and Amaechi. It’s rumoured those two have huge dollar reserves.
Who needs them when we’ve got passionate Takasu?
After all, humanity knows no nationality.
“A prophet is without honour in his own house”, someone once said. In the case of Nigeria at Rio 2016 Olympics, you could substitute “athletes” for prophet.
The U-23 side will play Denmark in the men’s football quarter finals on Saturday August 13. Time is 8pm…yes, Nigerian time.
Whatever the outcome of the game, Nigerians should know that our boys went on that pitch against all odds — odds conceived, packaged and delivered by those who should care.
Well, just so you know…
#NGR #football team have now received their camp allowances for 22 days. Official @ebikagboro: "Sports ministry has cleared all allowances."
— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) August 13, 2016
Let’s hope that’s not 22 tads late..
