Nigeria: I Lost the Enthusiasm to Continue – Jack Warner

Kola Animashaun

26 June 2011

opinion

Most people are making some money on the side. And, it is all over the world. Some journalists are making it by doing something in public relations.

And, this is not related to their mainstream vocation. Look around and you will find out people are doing something on the side. And, that has to do with practically everybody.

But some of these people are very clear in the things and they do not cheat the people or their employers.

Not unlike some football administrators who suddenly lose enthusiasm to continue like the Austin “Jack” Warner, a FIFA vice-president. He has quit over corruption claims.

Warner, as has been alleged, had pledged to vote for England 2018 World Cup bid. He then went back on his word.

England got only two of the 22 votes and at the first hurdle.

There have been other allegations against Warner. He allegedly asked for cash to build an education centre in Trinidad; he allegedly demanded £500,000 to buy Haiti’s World Cup TV rights. Of course, he denied the allegations and the FA has cleared him.

To Warner, he was defending some culture of “gift” by FIFA at elections and World Cup bid processes.

He says, ” It’s not unusual for such things to happen and gifts have been around throughout the history of FIFA. What is happening now to me is hypocrisy.”

As such matters are settled, Warner has left on his own volition, according to FIFA which said:”Warner is leaving by his own volition after nearly 30 years. Ethics Committee procedures against him have been closed and the presumption of innocence is maintained.”

And, we do not know whether Lord Triesmen was glossing over the failure of UK’s World Cup delegation or the bribe. He called Warner’s departure as “astonishing”.

He said the whole thing illustrates that in FIFA, even in the 21st century, somebody can say, “I am resigning and be allowed to simply go, with no further action.

“That is an astonishing state of affairs. It is right to presume innocence until after a hearing has taken place but this is just after hearing has taken place and it just shows FIFA is simply not willing to clean up its act”.

Warner owns Joe Public FC, a football team in Trinidad and Tobago. He is also acting leader when the country’s PM is away. Why do we remember “Jack” Warner today?.

Two members of FIFA’s executive committee were allegedly caught by undercover reporters offering to sell their votes last November.

Nigeria’s Amos Adamu was later given a three- year ban and Reginald Temavil from Taluti got a one year ban.

I remember Yar’Adua

I remember today Umaru Yar’Adua on the occasion of the declaration of his assets because of Babatunde Raji Fashola’s own declaration.

Yar’Adua was the only president who declared his assets publicly and forensically. The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) South-West Commissioner, Dr Ademola Adebo, said Fashola “filled the forms and provided the necessary documents requested by the bureau.”

That leaves Gbenga Daniel and Bayo Alao-Akala yet to declare their assets. And, we would expect to hear from Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Segun Oni of Osun and Ekiti states; it is important that they be like Caesar’s wife: “They must be above suspicion.”

They are not expected to be rich or stinkingly rich but, it is important to be above board. I know their deputies and their commissioners are taking their cues. And, when will Obasanjo do the same? It has been over four years since he departed.

AllAfrica – All the Time