According to David Jurdan, “The world steps aside to let him pass who knows where he is going.”
From the testimonies given at the dinner that followed the Shehu Dikko Novelty Match, it was obvious that the world had just stepped aside for a man who knows where he is going. Even the uninformed will get the impression of a man who is well-equipped for the task, one who could even be said to have an inkling of a moment like this over forty years ago (yes, you read well, over forty years ago!).
The night was a befitting climax to an event which had started with the novelty match in honour of the National Sports Commission chairman, Dikko with Team Shehu Dikko beating Team Nigeria 3-1. On parade were the likes of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General C.G Musa, Minister of state for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Yusuf Abdulahi Ata Fagge, Ahmed Musa, Brown Ideye, Garba Lawal, Chikelue Iloenyosi, Mutiu Adepoju, Samsob Siasia, Victor Ezeji, Shehu Abdulahi,Victor Ikpeba and former Kano state commissioner for sports and former House of Representatives member Hon. Nuhu Danburam.
After the match, attention switched to the VIP lounge of MKO Abiola National Stadium for the dinner where glowing tributes to the NSC Helmsman rained.
First to speak was Director-General/Secretary of National Sports Commission Hon. Bukola Olopade who started by thanking the president for Dikko’s appointment.
His words, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recorded a masterstroke by appointing Shehu Dikko. Under Dikko, I have no doubt that this commission will harness the potentials of sports to create a sports economy as envisaged by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and thus become an avenue to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and forster economic development. This commission will surely empower young people. The signs are already there of a very bright future. The Directors can attest that a lot has been achieved already.”
He shed more light on Dikko’s immense credentials leading to his appointment. “Dikko was chosen because of many years of experience in the industry, the same reason why I was chosen. We have chosen not to listen to gossip and focus on the huge task before us. We have elected not to be distracted at all”, he said.
Olopade was optimistic that Dikko will record humongous success in his first year in office. He continued, “By the time you are marking your one year in office, this place will be too small. The celebration will be at Transcorp Hilton because you would have made tremendous progress. I have no doubt in my mind that you are taking sports to the next level.”
Meanwhile, Olopade made a big revelation dating back to 2010. He said, “In 2010, we were going into the NFF elections and I was contesting for the presidency alongside Dikko. Along the line I decided to step down for Dikko having looked at his pedigree and what he can bring to the table. Dikko then promised to make me the NFF General Secretary if he won so we can work together. I stepped down but things didn’t work out as planned. So when he was appointed as the NSC chairman, I called him and said, ‘now, this is the time to fulfil your promise, when am I resuming work?”. So here we are. We have really come a long way and we are children of destiny.
Next was the coordinator of the event, Chidi Okonkwo. He said, “Dikko was the one who made me relocate to Abuja and since I came here, he has been very supportive and my life as moved much higher. Organizing this is the least I can do for a good man. This is the best decision that the president has made in sports and we will support Dikko all the way to succeed.”
Founder of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo was optimistic that Dikko’s tenure will bring good tidings to Nigerian sports. His words, “There is a spirit that goes with Dikko, a winning spirit. You (Dikko) will bring success to Nigerian sports. We will surely win again with you. I have no doubt that Nigeria will be proud of the two of you (Dikko and Olopade).”
Danburam said, “We can’t thank the president enough for this appointment. Didn’t you watch him on the pitch today? Have you ever seen any past sports minister that can play good football like him? I have known Dikko long enough to know that he will not fail and I am sure that Olopade will be a good partner for him.”
Then the icing on the cake came from Dikko himself while responding to these testimonies. He began by thanking the president for deeming him worthy of this assignment. He started, “I thank the president, our father, the father of the nation, for this bold decision to scrap the sports ministry and return the sports commission. As well as the privilege he has given me to lead this charge.”
He continued, “In the last couple of weeks, we have rolled out our policy statement and everybody understands what we want to do. We have to stop laying emphasis on medals and focus on sports development. We have to be deliberate in what we are doing. It may be hard initially but we have to be focused. In the next couple of months, everyone will see clearly what we are trying to do. We will do our best and by the time we are done, the next person will have a good foundation to build on.”
Then came the mother of all revelations. Dikko’s mother had predicted that he will be in this position over forty years ago. His words, “In the early 80s, everyday I will be busy playing football. Now one day my mother told me, ‘Why not leave this football now and focus on your books? Then later in future you can come and be the leader of those playing the football’, and she pointed to the then Minister of sports, Alhaji Bubu Ahmed who was on TV and said you can be like him. That is what is playing out now. See how far our parents can see? More than forty years later, we are here today. This is like a dream come true.”
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of a gift by the ex-internationals that featured in the match.
