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| Governor, Abubakar Sani watched Chelsea beat Arsenal |
Nigerians are lacing verbal attacks on the Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani for travelling to London to watch Arsenal play Chelsea last weekend.
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.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Buhari's wind of Change is what gave this character the Niger state government house if no what does he know about govern governance and building economy. Abu Lolo as he is popularly known wass a spoilt kid born with silver spoon. He does not know what unemployment and poverty taste like. I am not suprised at his executive recklessness at this point in time. It took this guy more than 3 month to address the state. He won the election and was bewildered about the principles of governance. It a pity he is my governor this is one mistake we have done, Nasko would have been a better governor. Anyways he has just 4yrs I believe that he won't go beyond that.
ReplyDeleteI think the governors elected under the umbrella of APC are the most wasteful.
ReplyDeleteWhat ever,The governor is rich enough to travel with his money. Anti chelsea FashOla paid to bring Man U to Lagos later paid to invite Ferdinan
ReplyDeleteUp chelsea!
ReplyDeleteGood to know that aboki watches football matches. Jokes aside, APC governors are so wasteful in the midst of poverty stricken citizens. I am to finding this guilt per se because he a right to chill out also while on official duty. But the case of the Imo state governor is so disturbing. Taking over 200 people of no serious affiliation to the industrial sector to convince the Turks who ain't even known for industrial capacity to come to Imo state and invest. Seriously depleting the newly given bailout money.
ReplyDeleteBut did you guys actually take out time to read and digest the story before criticism? He was invited by a prospective investor to the state,moreover, did anyone try to find out if he sponsored the trip with state funds? If he did not, then no qwalms,if the state can afford him time to go about his private desires.
ReplyDelete