ADOKIYE Amiesimaka’s reason for refusing to serve on the 10-Year Football Development Masterplan Committee has been revealed.
The ex-international was one of over a dozen former footballers, journalists, administrators and football enthusiasts named on the committee in September, with the mandate to produce a workable development plan for Nigerian football.
However, while others accepted to serve on the committee, Amiesimaka declined.
The lawyer, who was a key member of the Green Eagles team that won Nigeria’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil in 1980, explained in a letter why he found serving on the committee a ‘waste of time and funds’.
In the lettter dated 12 October and addressed to the sports minister Sunday Dare titled RE: APPOINTMENT AS MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE TO PRODUCE 10-YEAR FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT MASTERPLAN, Amiesimaka politely turned down the offer, citing previous similar committees whose work came to nothing.
“I refer to your letter FMYSD/FEAD/NFF/CORR/014/VOL IV of 7th September, 2021 and state without equivocation that beyond cliches and perfunctory responses, but consistent with my natural disposition, I always feel honoured to be considered worthy to serve my beloved country in any capacity. Thank you, sir,” Amiesimaka, nicknamed ‘Chief Justice’ in his playing days in the 1970s and 1980s, wrote.
“Nevertheless, it is apposite to recall that carefully thought-through reports on similar subjects by other committees, some of which I was privileged to serve on, were received with high commendation by the authorities, only to gather dust.”
The 64-year-old former Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in Rivers State pointed out that he believed this new committee would follow a similar path to previous ones and end up being pointless.
“Regrettably, there is no indication whatsoever that things will be any different this time around,” added the former national team winger who has a stadium in Port Harcourt named in his honour.
“Accordingly, I respectfully decline your kind offer, as to do otherwise would amount to a waste of my time and public funds.”
Dare inaugurated the committee last week, with former Nigeria Football Association Chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima as its head.
Amiesimaka’s Green Eagles teammate at the 1980 AFCON, Segun Odegbami, as well as former internationals Sunday Oliseh and Emmanuel Babayaro are members of the committee, along with veteran journalists Ade Ojeikere and Ikeddy Isiguzo.
