I promised last week to express my thoughts on ‘CJ’ Adokie Amiesimaka’s explosive revelation two weeks ago in his Sunday column. Since then the matter has refused to die down or go away. The genie has been let out of the bottle and the matter has remained on the front burner of national, moral and even spiritual discourse! Indeed it is quickly and surely assuming a dimension capable of consuming football administration in the country if not handled with caution. On the other hand it could provide the impetus for a serious, critical and genuine look at age-group competitions, documentation and grassroots sports development in the country and beyond!

The substance of Adokie’s article is not new. It is only slightly different from what many of us had written in the past that queries the authenticity of Nigerian participants at age-group competitions and the damaging effect it has had on the development of the game. The only difference this time seems to be the timing – the fact that the world is assembled in Nigeria when the revelation was made and that Adokie not only has named a culprit but has also provided some evidence to buttress his assertion when his integrity and patriotism were being questioned by those that claim he was being unpatriotic. Adokie, meanwhile, is fighting back to defend his reputation as a distinguished man of the learned profession who has also dutifully served his country in football at different levels for years with distinction and without blemish.

Providence came into the matter. Last week in Ibadan I met a man who has since become my spiritual friend and counsel. Reverend Father Felix Ajakaye is the Bishop of Ekiti diocese of the Catholic Church. He delivered the sermon at the funeral mass for Best Ogedegbe. He had come in from Ado Ekiti specifically to officiate at the mass in honour of a man he had never met but whose exploits in football were endearing to him. By the end of the sermon every one in the congregation was mesmerised by a spiritual leader whose knowledge about the game of football was deep and sound. From the distance of his pulpit he picked out and recognised several of the retired national players that came for the service. At a point during the service he asked all former players to come to the front of the church to be known and appreciated by the congregation. He left everyone of us on that day dumbstruck in awe and admiration.

Before departing we got to meet and became acquainted. He lamented the state of the Nigerian nation and talked about joining forces with those of us that desire to make a difference, to fight against injustice and to bring change to the country. He presented me with a copy of a book he published in 2007 titled ‘Beyond Ideas’. He drew my attention to two pages in the book that address a current burning issue – that of the issue of over-aged players in Nigerian football! He quoted from one of those pages (page 122): ‘In the age-group international football competitions like Under-17 and Under-21, from the look of things, it would seem over-aged players are being selected to represent Nigeria in the championships. Or else, the likes of Philip Osondu, Chris Ohenhen, Chris Nwosu, Fatai Atere, Demiji Lawal, Sanni Adamu and their mates should have graduated to the senior national team, the Super Eagles, and be exhibiting their superlative skills now if it was true they were really younger while they were playing for the Golden Eaglets and the Flying Eagles respectively’.

He had my full attention now. All my sensors went into alert! I asked him if he had read Adokie’s explosive piece and what he thought of it in the light of the condemnation and abuse by a segment of Nigerians that think it was either ill-timed or unpatriotic. I wanted an opinion from a spiritual leader’s perspective. We arranged to chat about it later on phone. We did last Wednesday night!

I called him up.

Bishop Ajakaye is a young Bishop in his late forties. He speaks the English language with the flourish and authority of a man of letters. He quotes from books on various subjects ranging from politics to philosophy, from history to sports!

I asked him what he thought of Adokie’s revelation. I told him about how divided opinions were. Some have abused and criticised him whilst others have defended his action describing it as standing for truth, morality and integrity!

This was his answer reported as close to the words he used as possible. I have his permission to publish.

‘I am happy that what I have been imagining, that our junior players should graduate to senior level but is not happening, is been discussed now. I wrote it in my boo, published in 2007 that we are merely deceiving ourselves. A society that deceives itself cannot progress. We must fight corruption with our conscience. We must begin to tell the truth. Not addressing the point and shooting at the messenger is chasing the shadow. We are here now discussing the issue. That’s the good that comes from Adokie’s article. Right time or not, the truth must be told. Othman Dan Fodio is the one that said ‘Conscience is an open wound only truth can heal’. Instead of castigating Adokie the issue he raised should be addressed, and even the EFCC should be made to arrest people if found guilty.

‘Patriotism? Let me tell you what I believe is patriotism. Patriotism does not mean stupidity. Patriotism is what you footballers did, coming together and giving Best Ogedegbe a befitting burial on behalf of all Nigerians. Patriotism is offering Best’s daughter, who I just learnt has graduated and is looking for a job, a job in appreciation of the service her dad rendered to the country. Patriotism is taking a decision for common good. As a country we would have grown beyond where we are if we had been truthful to ourselves all these years. We must see the truth and speak out for the good of the country not for selfish interest. The truth must be told! That’s patriotism!

‘Untruth, like corruption, is endemic and we must address it. It will be swept under the carpet as usual if not spoken out the way Adokie did. Patriotism is service to country. Patriotism is what I believe Adokie did. That’s the way to go. That’s why I hear and read all the castigating statements against Adokie and I am pained that instead of being hailed he is being cursed. Let me tell you what I am doing in response. I am praying everyday for Adokie! We need sanity in our lives. We need to join hands and fight injustice, corruption and the lies that have held us back. Success without successors is failure in disguise. Look at players of your generation. You were a success. But without those to succeed you would you say we established a culture of success? That’s what Adokie is saying. We are killing the successors! That’s my view!’

I thanked him and hung up. He had said enough!

segunodegbami@hotmail.com