The National Sports Commission (NSC) has approved the release of an investigative report examining the negative publicity surrounding Nigeria’s participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The decision came shortly after Mr. Shehu Dikko took over as NSC Chairman, following a request by Dr. Mumini Alao, Chairman of the Investigative Committee.
The investigative panel, initially commissioned by former Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, completed its work and submitted its findings to Enoh on October 22, 2024, in a meeting attended by Mrs. Atinuke Watti, the former permanent secretary. Although Enoh initially scheduled a public presentation for October 25, 2024, the event was postponed due to his reassignment to another ministerial role by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Upon his assumption of office last week, Mr. Dikko endorsed the report’s release to ensure transparency and address concerns raised during Nigeria’s Olympic and Paralympic campaign in Paris.
Read the Committee’s full report below.
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INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEGATIVE EXPOSURE TOnNIGERIA AT PARIS 2024 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMIC GAMES INAUGURATED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, SENATOR JOHN OWAN ENOH, ON SEPTEMBER 25,2024.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COMMITTEE’S RESOLUTIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee submitted a comprehensive 54-page report featuring testimonies of the personalities involved, digital and documentary evidence and annexures. Below are the highlights of the committee’s resolutions and recommendations.
1. Conflicting evidences showed that the Nigerian athlete, Favour Ofili’s omission from the women’s 100 meters event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is trace able to any one of the following organizations: The Athletics Federation of Nigeria(AFN), Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), World Athletics(WA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Committee was very mindful not to WRONGLY INDICT anyone on the basis of conflicting, inconclusive evidences.
2. Conclusive evidence revealed, however, that the Secretary General of the AFN, Mrs. Rita Mosindi, was NEGLIGENT in her duty of communicating to the Ministry of Sports Development and the Nigeria Olympic Committee information about Favour Ofili’s event status in a reliable and timely manner. Mrs.Mosindishould be PENALIZED by the appropriate authority.
3. Conclusive evidence also revealed that the Technical Director of AFN, Mr. Samuel Onikeku demonstrated POOR JUDGEMENT by not reporting nor acting on information about the non-registration of his own athlete, Favour Ofili,for the women’s 100 meters event when he first got a “hint” of the “rumour.” Ofili’s situation might have been rescued if the Technical Director had reported or acted immediately on the information that he received. Mr. Onikeku should be SANCTIONED by the Board of AFN of which he is a member.
4. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) by vicarious implication should pay the athlete,Favour Ofili, a symbolic compensation of N8million Naira only(about $5,000 US Dollars) for the disappointment and depression that she suffered on account of her omission from the women’s 100 meters event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
5. Mr.Samuel Fadele and Mr. Emmanuel Nweri of the Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC) should be WARNED not to rely on social media applications as a means of important official communication in the future. Physical documents and/or Emails remain the acceptable standards for official communication.
6. The athlete, Favour Ofili, should take an introspective look at her general ATTITUDE to improve her relationships with co-athletes and officials.
7. The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Ministry of Sports Development should jointly develop a written CODE OF GOVERNANCE to improve synergy of operations and close the communication gaps between both organizations.
8. The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) should be more transparent in its relationship with the Ministry of Sports Development. Had the NOC been more open, its legally-binding kitting contract with an American sports wear manufacturer, Actively Black Company, would not have suffered any risk of breach and caused any controversy or embarrassment to Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Ministry and the NOC should eschew mutual suspicion and promote TRANSPARENCY and MUTUAL TRUST in their interactions for the benefit of Nigerian sports and the athletes.
9. The cyclist, Ese Ukpeseraye, should write a FORMAL APOLOGY to the Nigeria Cycling Federation (NCF) for the embarrassment that she caused the Federation and the Nigerian contingent to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on account of the unauthorized post that she made on social media X (Formerly Twitter) about the bicycle that she used for the Cycling track event at the Olympics.
10. Every Sports Federation should design comprehensive, sport-specific CODES OF CONDUCT for their athletes representing Nigeria at international events. These should be enforced to the letter without fear or favour.
11. The Minister of Sports Development, even with the best intentions of defending and protecting th image and integrity of the country, should restrain from addressing the media on issues affecting individual athletes and leave that to the Sports Federations. Athletes must be held accountable by Sports Federations while the Federations must be held accountable by the Minister of Sports Development.
12. Every Sport Federation should aspire to set up an Anti-Doping Commission inorder to improve doping control amongst their athletes. They should follow the good example of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
13. The Minister of Sports Development should follow through to ensure Presidential accent to the Nigeria Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) whose enabling Bill has been passed by the two houses of the National Assembly.
14. Nigerian athletes should take greater responsibility for their own personal welfare by avoiding intake of foods, drinks and drugs that might result in failed tests,disqualifications and suspensions from their sport.
15. The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) should review its policy of not having written agreements with the technical officials that it engages for competitions.This is against best global practices as even conditional or temporary employments can be covered by written agreements. The Federation should write Letters of Commendation and present Plaques of Honour to all the coaches and players that made Nigeria proud as the first African women’s basketball team to reach the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games in Paris.
16. The Ministry of Sports Development should write a Letter of Commendation and present a Plaque of Honour to Engr. Giandiomanico Masari, President of Nigeria Cycling Federation for his immense contributions to Nigeria’s debut appearance in the Olympic Cycling events at Paris 2024 Games.
17. Central to the problems of Nigerian sports is INADEQUATE FUNDING and untimely release of funds by government for preparation and participation at major international sports events. The Ministry of Sports Development should adopt a more PRIVATE-SECTOR-LED CONCEPT proposed by the Investigative Committee to close the huge funding gap in Nigerian sports.
18. The funds subsequently raised should be channeled toward resuscitating of National Sports Zonal Offices for grassroots sports development; infrastructure development, upgrade and maintenance; training of technical and administrative personnel; early preparation and support for elite athletes; incentives and rewards for outstanding athletes, etcetera.
19. Full details of Respondents Testimonies, the Committee’s Deductions and how we arrived at our Recommendations are contained in the full report submitted to the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh.
20. Thank you.
SIGNED: DR.MUMINI ALAO, PhD, ACirab (UK)
Committee Chairman
For: The Investigative Committee
