Beware of Sycophants And Praise Singers, NFSC Boss, Ikpea Tells Dikko, Olopade

<strong><em>NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko (left) and his DG, Bukola Olopade</em></strong>

BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU

The National Chairman of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) Rev. (Amb) Samuel Ikpea has advised the new Chairman of the National Sport Commission (NSC) Shehu Dikko and his Director General, Bukola Olopade to be wary of sycophants praising them following their appointment in the various positions which they now occupy.

Ikpea who recently bagged an International Award from Canadian media outfit disclosed this in Lagos while reacting to issues concerning development of Sport in a virtual meeting and was quick to add that it is important they are allowed to work rather than the distraction they are getting following their appointment.

“We know of the performance of Dikko at the NPFL and Olopade who was also the chairman of the Ogun National Sport festival and I am sure it was based on their track record that President Tinubu appointed the duo” Ikpea started.

“However, they should be allowed to settle down and get to work because there is so much to be done rather than disturbing the duo who are occupying offices that were recently revamped to enable sport thrive in the country”

“Visiting with praises without coming with a blueprint of what should be done to make sports flourish in Nigeria is tantamount to seeking favour” Ikpea added. “And that is what most sports stakeholders understand how to do best because they thrive on sycophancy” he insisted.

“It will also be difficult for Dikko and Olopade to know when they are making mistakes, because praise singers and sycophants will always tell them that they are right even when it is not so”.

Ikpea who was in Edo for the NFF election in 2022 it was there Dikko earned his respect when he contested for the position of NFF president and exhibited high level of sportsmanship when the voting did not favour him.

“I remember what happened in Edo during the NFF election in 2022”. “The voting for the position of the President of NFF was inconclusive and there was a call for rerun to enable Dikko contest against the current President of NFF, Ibrahim Gusau”.

“But Shehu Dikko declined, and accepted defeat”. “He avoided anything that will make the election become more heated, and that is the spirit of sportsmanship which he exhibited”. “I am sure that he never knew that someday he will become the NSC Chairman and that is how life is” Ikpea added.

Ikpea further charged the NSC Chairman and the DG to keep up with their plans and ensure that Nigerian sport moves beyond its current position as it is very important that adequate plans are put in place ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.