In this short interview, Dr. Ndanusa, a director at Aidu Football Academy (AFA), Lafiagi, speaks with our correspondent on the struggles of running a private football academy in a region ravaged by banditry, and the broader challenges of managing football without government support. AFA players wore black armbands during their friendly against NPFL side, Kwara United, in Ilorin, as a show of solidarity for communities in Kwara North under siege.

AFA only launched formally in February. How has the journey been so far?

What we did in February was an unveiling. The academy had actually started long before that. After the launch, we set up a boot camp where we picked some of the best talents to expose them to the wider world of football. Over the last six months, our boys have had several encounters — some are currently in Ethiopia trying out with clubs, while others are preparing to move to Doha, Qatar. Those at home continue to engage local teams, and coming to Ilorin feels like homecoming since Lafiagi is part of Kwara. But beyond football, our presence here is symbolic — our home base in Kwara North is bleeding due to insecurity. That’s why our boys wore black armbands: a cry for solidarity. Government is doing its best, but security is everyone’s problem.

What does it mean to run a football academy from an insecure region like Lafiagi?

Dr. Ndanusa: It is both emotional and challenging. Every day, we battle the reality that while we try to raise young men through football, our community is under siege by armed bandits. Players come to training after hearing gunshots the previous night. Families are displaced, and yet we must carry on. It shows that football is more than sport — it is a beacon of hope. Our boys are saying through football that Lafiagi deserves peace.

How tough is it for the private sector to invest in football in Nigeria?

Dr. Ndanusa: Very tough. It requires money, time, and enormous resources — things one man alone cannot shoulder. Unfortunately, unlike government-backed clubs such as Kwara United, private academies struggle without institutional support. People understand football’s value but they have not directly benefited from it, so they shy away from investing. Until more investors come in, academies like ours will remain at the mercy of passion and sacrifice.

What lessons do you think government and stakeholders can take from AFA’s effort?

That football can be a force for good. Beyond winning trophies, it can rebuild broken communities, unite people, and take young people off the streets. Our academy is proof — even in a conflict zone, young men can choose football over crime if given the chance. What we need is more investment, collaboration, and deliberate policies that support private football academies. With security guaranteed and stakeholders involved, Nigeria can produce not just players but true ambassadors of peace and development.

Former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has emphasized that the fight against corruption must begin with accountability among top government officials.

Speaking during an interactive Zoom session titled “Boiling Point Arena,” Obasanjo highlighted the importance of leadership in combating corruption. The session was hosted by a private radio station in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Obasanjo stated, “The best way to fight corruption begins at the top; therefore, that is where we must focus our efforts.”

He stressed that leaders must lead by example. This sets a critical precedent for the entire nation, demonstrating a genuine commitment to transparency and integrity.

The interactive session focused on Obasanjo’s achievements in government and his assessment of Nigeria’s current state. He described corruption as “hydra-headed,” noting its deep roots in Nigerian society. This pervasive issue requires relentless effort to combat effectively.

Using an analogy from a former Sultan of Sokoto, Obasanjo compared corruption to a “babariga,” a flowing traditional attire. He explained, “If you are folding it on one side, it’s falling apart on the other side.” This illustrates how corruption can worsen if not addressed comprehensively.

He added, “When you carry it on both sides, you cannot hold your hands up, and as soon as you put your hands down, it’s falling apart. That’s corruption.”

Obasanjo emphasized that fighting corruption is not a one-time effort. It is a continuous endeavor requiring sustained commitment across successive administrations. “Corruption is not a one-day affair.

“It’s not a one-regime affair. It must be consistent, continual, and a daily affair,” he said. He warned that a single regime’s inaction may allow corruption to spread uncontrollably.

The former president urged officials to reform the recruitment and appointment of leaders to public office. He advocated for merit-based political appointments, not those based on political affiliations or tribal considerations.

As reported, Obasanjo argued that leaders must possess competence and integrity to effectively serve the nation.

Discussing the source of leadership, Obasanjo asserted that not all leaders receive divine appointment; some arise from personal ambition or malevolent forces.

Addressing Corruption

He stated, “God prepares most leaders and places them in their roles,” suggesting that this divine selection boosts a nation’s chances of success.

However, he recognized that evil influences can also infiltrate leadership. “Satan is real and has power. Satan can create a leader,” highlighting the potential for evil forces to influence those in positions of power.

He referenced Job from the Bible, explaining how Satan challenged God’s righteousness. He emphasized that while Satan has no salvation, his influence should not be underestimated.

Obasanjo’s remarks highlight Nigeria’s need for a comprehensive approach to combat corruption, starting at the highest leadership levels.

He urged leaders to prioritize accountability and meritocracy, ensuring that governance serves the public good.

Concluding his address, the former president stressed that sustainable development comes from transparency, consistent action, and leadership grounded in accountability and divine purpose.

His call to action emphasizes the urgent need for reform in Nigeria’s political landscape.

The Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, has lambasted the former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, over what he referred to as tissues of lies from the former Minister.

It could be recalled that Mr. Sirika, during an interview on Arise TV, tried to defend the allegations of fraud levelled against him in particular, and the federal government led by the former president, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, in general, over the national carrier, Nigeria Air.

Speaking Arise TV on Sunday, June 11, 2023, Sirika made spurious claims about Air Peace, which is today regarded as Nigeria’s foremost airline.

In his bid to denigrate Air Peace while praising Ethiopian Airline, Sirika stated that the airline leased ‘two’ Boeing 777 aircraft on a monthly lease fee of $250,000, parked the aircraft for several months and incurred losses of $19 million while all the aircraft engines and landing gears became due for replacement.

He then asked: “Who does that?” then added that Ethiopian Airlines would never do that.

Secondly, Sirika said the airline stopped flying to Dubai because ‘we lack capacity’. This is another stark lie.

Read Air Peace’s press release debunking Sirika’s “lies”, signed by the Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Mrs. Toyin Olajide, here.

Not satisfied with the press release, Chief Onyema appeared in person to further debunk Sirika’s lies, asking President Bola Ahmed ‘Tinubu to dissolve the charade called ‘Nigeria Air’.’

According to him, the current Nigerian government should dissolve Nigeria Air and work with Air Peace to be the Flag Carrier as his airline deserves it.

Speaking on Arise News on Wednesday, CEO of Air Peace averred that the former Aviation Minister, Sirika, ought to be in jail and not granting interviews.

Onyema recalled that he has done so much for this country, hence has to come on air and defend his credibility and reputation of his company.

He even demanded for more time as he has a lot to say about the corruption and criminality going on in this country.

As an ordinary citizen, he reminded Sirika that he has done more for Nigeria and Nigerians than the so-called politicians, only for the Nigerian government to deny Air Peace when it applied to be given slots to ply the UK route.

He noted that what the government should do is to support the local airlines in Nigeria, offer the airlines grants, and possibly deregulate the aviation industry as it will create more jobs and uplift the economy.

Watch the Arise News interview below:

 Read more.

— 

©Copyright 2023 News Band

(If you would like to receive CURRENT NEWS updates from News Band on WhatsApp, or Telegram, or wish to send eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to elstimmy@gmail.com and we will respond instantly. Follow us on twitter @News Band; like our Facebook page: News Band.)

Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams on Monday, urged President Bola Tinubu to fulfill the dreams of a prosperous Nigeria, saying the late MKO Abiola’s mandate stands for justice, freedom, equity, liberty, and sustainability of democratic tenets.

Adams said this at the 30th anniversary of the June 12 1993 in Ogba, Lagos.
He stated that the death of the late MKO was not in vain because democracy has come to stay.

According to him, though there are challenges that have threatened the foundation of this democracy, things could be better with proper approach.

He said: “We cannot achieve much if our democracy is tied to the 1999 constitution that we are using presently in Nigeria.

The 1979 and 1999 constitutions are tools that the military imposed on us to preserve their atrocities.
“And the constitutions have always remained the bane of Nigeria.That is why we are where we are at the moment.

“Unless we embrace regionalism, and let the federating unit develop at their own pace, Nigeria may find it very difficult to realize its lofty dreams.

“With a new administration in power, there is need for President Bola Tinubu to come up with policy direction that has human face.’

Ace journalist, Mr. David Hundeyin, was on News Central TV, Thursday morning to break down the Nigeria Air fraud, allegedly perpetrated by the former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika.

Ace journalist David Hundeyin

Speaking, Mr. Hundeyin recounted how he broke the story of the fraudulent aircraft display on May 26.

Watch the video of the interview below:

In the meantime, the Nigerian legislature has stated that departing President Muhammadu Buhari created a fake airline as his final act in office.

President Buhari managed to arrange the flight of a lone aircraft bearing the livery of the nonexistent Nigeria Air before taking his final bow.

In an earlier development, the newly unveiled national carrier has revealed that it would soon make formal announcement for job opportunities as it continues to make preparations for commencement of commercial flights, which is projected to take place in the third quarter of this year.

Nigeria Air was unveiled on Friday, May 26, 2023, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with a dual promise of quality service delivery and job creation, among others.

The job creation drive disclosure was contained in a document, entitled “Nigeria Air: The Journey So Far”, made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, by the airline’s media office.

According to the document, announcement for job opportunities would be made in key national newspapers for pilots, engineers, cabin crew and other positions.

The vacancy advertisements would also be posted on Nigeria Air website and social media platforms, as revealed by the document. Read more.

— 

©Copyright 2023 News Band

(If you would like to receive CURRENT NEWS updates from News Band on WhatsApp, or Telegram, or wish to send eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to elstimmy@gmail.com and we will respond instantly. Follow us on twitter @News Band; like our Facebook page: News Band.)