BUHARI, ARE YOU THE ONE?

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent Spain)

BUHARI, ARE YOU THE ONE?

About 2000 years ago, the nation of Israel was in a state of dilemma and confusion, as they were dominated by an imperial lord. Under the circumstance the people found themselves they remembered that they were blessed with a land that flowed with milk and honey. But because of their disobedience to Yahweh, evil and corruption pervaded the land, and the Jewish nation lost their position and bearing in God’s purpose for the nation. And they became colonized by the Roman Empire. 

The people suffered in the midst of plenty as their fate lied in the hands of the imperial lords. Under their predicament, they remembered a promised messiah.  A leader who would bail them out, and deliver them from political, social and economic bondage. And It was under that scenario that Jesus Christ came on stage with a ministry contrary to their expectations, including John his fore runner. Perhaps if Jesus were really the Messiah, He would perform works connected with political deliverance of Israel or at least the deliverance of John, His fore runner who was unjustly imprisoned, they may have reasoned. John became doubtful, and sent emissaries to Jesus and asked. “Are you the coming one, or do we look for another?”  Under the circumstance John found himself, his situation may be explained.

The Presidential election has come and gone in Nigeria. And the president elect has emerged. His victory has been welcomed with a lot of euphoria among some Nigerians, and despair among others across the nation.  Like the people of Israel and John, Nigeria is in a state of high expectation, doubt and predicament. To the President elect, like a new born baby the birth celebration will soon be over and the guests will depart. And staring before him is a journey into a vast plantation. Buhari, to many Nigerians may seem to be the expected Messiah going by his pedigree. But to millions of Johns across Nigeria, given to the state of rot in the system, with corruption exulted  and glorified in high places, no steady power supply, education and health care beyond the reach of the common man, no water, and good roads. A situation  that made Andrew to check out in the 80’s. And worse still the hydra headed insecurity problem. In the midst of these, the question in the minds of many Johns in Nigeria are; Buhari, are you the coming one, or should we look for another? President elect, the answer is yours.

In a country where the leaders are richer than the states, Politicians looting and squandering the public’s money without any fear or restriction and milking the nation’s resources to a standstill. While the masses and youths are suffering, the salary and income of a Nigerian legislator in a year is more than the overall income of the constituency that he represents. Mr. President elect, your campaign slogan was vote for “change”. Now that the protagonist of change has arrived, Will there be changes in situations that are crying for change.  Buhari, are you the coming one or should we look for another?

Judgement should begin from the house of God. Therefore change should begin from those on the seat of power. The earnings of a Nigerian senator in a year is more than enough  to provide the  basic amenities, which are lacken  in the states they represent. Because Nigerian legislators are overpaid that’s why going to Abuja has become a do or die affair for every politician whom the first bill that receives an express approval is their salaries. If Abuja is changed from been a goldmine to legislators at the expense of the people, the number of those who go there to suck Nigeria dry will be reduced.

Remove tithe and offering from the church, then you will know those who are really called by God.  President elect, here is a special report on the salaries of the legislators you are about to preside. Will there be a change in this trend.  Buhari, are you the one, or should we wait for another?

Details of Average Salary of a Nigerian Senator.

Basic Salary (B.S) -                                                                     N2, 484,245.50

Hardship Allowance (50% of B.S) -                                           N1,242,122.70

Constituency Allowance (200% of B.S) -                                  N4,968,509.00

Newspaper Allowance (50%of B.S) -                                        N1,242,122.70

Wardrobe Allowance (25% of B.S) -                                         N621,061.37

Recess Allowance (10% of B.S) -                                              N248,424.55

Accommodation (200% of B.S) -                                               N4,968,509.00

Utilities (30% of B.S) -                                                               N828,081.83

Domestic Staff (70% of B.S) -                                                    N1,863,184.12

Entertainment (30% of B.S) -                                                     N828,081.83

Personal Assistants (25% of B.S) -                                            N621,061.12

Vehcle Maintenace Allowance (75% of B.S) -                          N1,863,184.12

Leave Allowance (10% of B.S) -                                               N248,424.55

Severance Gratuity (300% of B.S) -                                          N7,452,736.50

Car Allowance (400% of B.S) -                                                 N9, 936, 982.00

Total Monthly Salary =           N29,479.00 x 12 =  N353,756,988.00 ($2,183,685.00)

Exchange Rate = $1 = N162

LEGISLATORS PAY WORLDWIDE PER ANNUM

Britain -                    $105, 400.00

United States -        $174,000.00

France -                    $85,900.00

South Africa -          $104,000.00

Kenya -                     $74,500.00

Saudi  Arabia -         $64,000.00

Brazil -                        $157,600.00

Ghana -                      $46, 500.00

Indonesia -                $65, 800.00

Thailand -                  $43,800.00

India -                        $11, 200.00

Italy -                         $182, 000.00

Bangladesh -            $4,000.00

Israel -                       $114,800.00

Hong Kong -             $130,700.00

Canada -                    $154, 000.00

Spain -                       $43,900.00

Germany -                $119,500.00

Pakistan -                  $3, 500.00

Norway -                   $138, 000.00

According to the Economist, in terms of law makers’ salaries as a ratio of GDP per capita, the gap is even much wider. While the salary of a Nigerian law maker is 116 times the country’s GDP per person, that of British Member of Parliament is just 2.7 times. The average salary of a Nigerian worker based on the national minimum wage is N18, 000.00. So the yearly salary is N18, 000.00 X12 = N216,000.00 ($1,333.00). Remember, the annual salary of a Nigerian senator is, $2,183,685.00. In proportion, $2,183,685.00/$1,333.00 = 1,638. Therefore, it will take an average Nigerian worker 1,638 years to earn the annual salary of a Nigerian Senator. Senior Buhari, please answer John your servant, with the above statistics, are you the one to make the changes, or should I wait for another?

Mr. President, you can see that our legislators legislate more into their pockets, and they are part of the problem of this country. Therefore you don’t need to search far for where the change you came for should start. Buhari, tell us if you are the messiah Nigeria has been waiting for, or do we look, and wait for another. To be contd.

                                   

BUHARI, ARE YOU THE ONE OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent Spain)

BUHARI, ARE YOU THE ONE OR SHOULD WE WAIT FOR ANOTHER?

About 2000 years ago, the nation of Israel was in a state of dilemma and confusion, as it were dominated by an imperial lord. Under the circumstance the people found themselves they remembered that they were blessed with a land that flowed with milk and honey. But because of their disobedience to Yahweh, evil and corruption pervaded the land, and the Jewish nation lost their position and bearing in God’s purpose for the nation. And they became colonized by the Roman Empire. The people suffered in the midst of plenty as their fate lied in the hands of the imperial lords. Under their predicament, they remembered a promised messiah.  A leader who would bail them out, and deliver them from political, social and economic bondage. And It was under that scenario that Jesus Christ came on stage with a ministry contrary to their expectations, including John his fore runner. Perhaps if Jesus were really the Messiah, He would perform works connected with political deliverance of Israel or at least the deliverance of John, His fore runner who was unjustly imprisoned, they may have reasoned. John became doubtful, and sent emissaries to Jesus and asked. “Are you the coming one, or do we look for another?”  Under the circumstance John found himself, his situation may be explained.

The Presidential election has come and gone in Nigeria. And the president elect has emerged. His victory has been welcomed with a lot of euphoria among some Nigerians, and despair among others across the nation.  Like the people of Israel and John, Nigeria is in a state of high expectation, doubt and predicament. To the President elect, like a new born baby the birth celebration will soon be over and the guests will depart. And staring before him is a journey into a vast plantation. Buhari,  to many Nigerians may seem to be the expected Messiah going by his pedigree. But to millions of Johns across Nigeria, given to the state of rot in the system, with corruption exulted  and glorified in high places, no steady power supply, education and health care beyond the reach of the common man, no water, and good roads. A situation  that made Andrew to check out in the 80’s. And worse still the hydra headed insecurity problem. In the midst of these, the question in the minds of many Johns in Nigeria are;  Buhari, are you the coming one, or should we look for another?  President elect, the answer is yours.

In a country where the leaders are richer than the states, Politicians looting and squandering the public’s money without any fear or restriction and milking the nation’s resources to a standstill. While the masses and youths are suffering, the salary and income of a Nigerian legislator in a year is more than the overall income of the constituency that he represents. Mr. President elect, your campaign slogan was vote for “change”. Now that the protagonist of change has arrived, Will there be changes in situations that are crying for change.  Buhari, are you the coming one or should we look for another?

Judgement should begin from the house of God. Therefore change should begin from those on the seat of power. The earnings of a Nigerian senator in a year is more than enough  to provide the  basic amenities, which are lacken  in the states they represent. Because Nigerian legislators are overpaid that’s why going to Abuja has become a do or die affair for every politician whom the first bill that receives an express approval is their salaries. If Abuja is changed from been a goldmine to legislators at the expense of the people, the number of those who go there to suck Nigeria dry will be reduced.

Remove tithe and offering from the church, then you will know those who are really called by God.  President elect, here is a special report on the salaries of the legislators you are about to preside. Will there be a change in this trend.  Buhari, are you the one, or should we wait for another?

Details of Average Salary of a Nigerian Senator.

Basic Salary (B.S) -                                                                        N2, 484,245.50

Hardship Allowance (50% of B.S) -                                            N1,242,122.70

Constituency Allowance (200% of B.S) -                                  N4,968,509.00

Newspaper Allowance (50%of B.S) -                                        N1,242,122.70

Wardrobe Allowance (25% of B.S) -                                         N621,061.37

Recess Allowance (10% of B.S) -                                               N248,424.55

Accommodation (200% of B.S) -                                               N4,968,509.00

Utilities (30% of B.S) -                                                                 N828,081.83

Domestic Staff (70% of B.S) -                                                    N1,863,184.12

Entertainment (30% of B.S) -                                                    N828,081.83

Personal Assistants (25% of B.S) -                                            N621,061.12

Vehcle Maintenace Allowance (75% of B.S) -                        N1,863,184.12

Leave Allowance (10% of B.S) -                                                N248,424.55

Severance Gratuity (300% of B.S) -                                         N7,452,736.50

Car Allowance (400% of B.S) -                                                  N9, 936, 982.00

Total Monthly Salary =           N29,479.00 x 12 =  N353,756,988.00 ($2,183,685.00)

Exchange Rate = $1 = N162

LEGISLATORS PAY WORLDWIDE PER ANNUM

Britain -                    $105, 400.00

United States -        $174,000.00

France -                    $85,900.00

South Africa -          $104,000.00

Kenya -                     $74,500.00

Saudi  Arabia -         $64,000.00

Brazil -                        $157,600.00

Ghana -                      $46, 500.00

Indonesia -                $65, 800.00

Thailand -                  $43,800.00

India -                        $11, 200.00

Italy -                         $182, 000.00

Bangladesh -            $4,000.00

Israel -                       $114,800.00

Hong Kong -             $130,700.00

Canada -                    $154, 000.00

Spain -                       $43,900.00

Germany -                $119,500.00

Pakistan -                  $3, 500.00

Norway -                   $138, 000.00

According to the Economist, in terms of law makers’ salaries as a ratio of GDP per capita, the gap is even much wider. While the salary of a Nigerian law maker is 116 times the country’s GDP per person, that of British Member of Parliament is just 2.7 times. The average salary of a Nigerian worker based on the national minimum wage is N18, 000.00. So the yearly salary is N18, 000.00 X12 = N216,000.00 ($1,333.00). Remember, the annual salary of a Nigerian senator is, $2,183,685.00. In proportion, $2,183,685.00/$1,333.00 = 1,638. Therefore, it will take an average Nigerian worker 1,638 years to earn the annual salary of a Nigerian Senator. Senior Buhari, please answer John your servant, with the above statistics, are you the one to make the changes, or should I wait for another?

Mr. President, you can see that our legislators legislate more into their pockets, and they are part of the problem of this country. Therefore you don’t need to search far for where the change you came for should start. Buhari, tell us if you are the messiah Nigeria has been waiting for, or do we look, and wait for another. To be contd.

                                   

NIGERIAN-BORN WOMAN RUNNING TO BECOME MAYOR IN SPAIN

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent Spain)

HELEN MUKORO SET TO MAKE HISTORY AS THE FIRST AFRO-SPANISH MAYOR IN SPAIN.

The story of  Helen Mukoro, the Nigerian born Spanish lawyer, politician and writer fits in as the stone the master builders rejected which became the chief corner stone of the building. The same place she was rejected and thrown out due to the color of her skin has equally turned out to be a place she has gained acceptance and is in the path of making history to become the first Afro-Spanish mayor in the kingdom of Spain. And the first Afro-Spanish to form and float an approved and registered political party, Union De Todos, in Spain. A country where Africans don’t have a voice.

But for Helen Mukoro, she has chosen to tread a path where even the Angels are afraid to walk. According to Shakespeare; “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars. But in ourselves, that we are underlings”. Helen Mukoro has caught the fire of the wheel set in motion by Obama for other Africans who aspire to follow in his footsteps to stay the course, light a star, and change the world wherever you are. She is daring, learned, intelligent, dynamic, versatile full of gait and energy, and has a sharp grasp of issues. Helen is on news in the Spanish media, and the Spanish press is going after her to have a clue of the black woman who has become the rave of the moment in Spain. Below is an interview she granted to our foreign correspondent in Spain.

Could You Please Tell Us About Yourself?

Helen Mukoro is my name. A Spanish Legal Consultant, Writer, Forensic Expert and Politician. I was born in Delta state, Nigeria to Mr. Anthony Mukoro (the late Director General of the Defunct Bendel state Government Treasury’s Cash Office, and Mrs. Mary Mukoro and Apkomudjere (a retired Civil Servant Governor’s Office, Delta State, Nigeria). A niece to Dr. A.G Onokhoraye (ex -Vice Chancellor of University of Benin. A step daughter to Hon. Justice Emmanuel Akpomudjere (the late Chief Judge of Delta State, Nigeria). I attended College of Agriculture, Anwai, Delta State, Nigeria, where I obtained a Diploma Certificate in Agriculture. And Left the shores of Nigeria to Spain in 1992.

Studied Law at the Spanish National University Alicante, and holds a Master degree in Criminology. Masters degree in Social Education, a Post Graduate Certificate in Tax and Labor Management, a Post Graduate Certificate in Forensic Psychology, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Immigration and Domestic Violence. Worked as a legal Consultant (immigration department) at the Red Cross Society, Spain. Owner of a legal firm. President at the African Europe Chamber of Commerce. And founder of the party, Union De Todos, Spain.

Why Did You Decide To Go Into Politics?

I went into politics because; we have to become more involved in decisions that affect us as citizens. And we have an obligation to ensure the legacy we leave to future generations: Politicians, we all are. I saw the need to go into politics as a means to making our own explanation of political leadership that suits the interest of the people and is ready to listen and care for the needs of its constituents.

You Are The Founder And Leader Of The Party, UNION DE TODOS, When Did This Party Come Into Existence?

Yes, I am the founder and leader of the Party, UNION DE TODOS, which means in English, We All Together. This is a new Political party in Spain that was born in 2014.

As An Afro Spanish, How Were You Able To Gain Acceptance Into The Spanish Society?

When you talk about being accepted, it is said that “when you are in Rome, live like the Romans” Being accepted in Spain is for you to know how to live in Spain. You don’t go and stand on the road naked, and you expect people to accept you, or you go and do drugs, and you want people to accept you.  Another factor is Education, 90% of African community in Spain don’t have basic Education. All these have to do with knowing how to live. I know where to go, when to go, and whom to go with and stay out of crime. By that way I was able to integrate and gain acceptance.

You Are Running For The Mayor Of Denia- Alicante, What Motivated You To Go For That?

Denia- Alicante is a very beautiful place with about 45,000 inhabitants. What motivated me to run for the seat of Mayor of Denia is the situation Spain is now. It is even enough to make a dead man to wake up and say, I am back to my feet again. The Politicians that ruled between the past 8-10 years did more harm than good. There was corruption, and a lot of things went wrong. People could not afford to pay for their basic needs, not that the country is poor, but because money is being taken away. Spain is no longer that super country that used to be everybody’s dream. I felt that, Spain has to come back to be what it used to be, Spain has to stand on its feet, Spain is not a lazy country, Spain is not a doomed country.

How Is Your Popularity And Candidacy Among African Immigrants And Spanish People?

I start with the Spanish, because in my city Denia, we have just a few Africans. The Spanish knows about us. The Media has given us a very good coverage. The power of the Media, that’s where the campaign is. Because it’s an advanced country, they like information, they love to buy newspapers before they buy bread because they want to know what is happening. We have been on the news, everywhere I go on the street, I hear Mayor, Mayor, and the tide is high.

What Support And Assistance Do You Need To Actualize Your Dream?

What we need at this moment is that, the Nigeria and African Governments should come forth and support us morally and financially, because if it happens we win, not just me, it’s a victory for Africa. I am the first to found a political party here, and heading for the Mayor of my city, tomorrow it will no longer be news. As the first, let it not be the last, let it be the beginning and not the ending. That is the reason I need to break the ice, and now the ice has been broken, and they need this push. My aim is that, in a few months and years from now, you begin to see a lot of candidates from Nigeria and Africa all over the place. Therefore, I call upon all Africans in Spain to go for the same party and start using the name of the party to aspire for any level wherever they live, if they decide and like what we do. Because the victory will be a history that will never be erased. They can say that Nigeria is the first country to produce a black leader in Spain. That will be a pride to Nigeria and Africa. If we get there, Nigeria and Africans in Spain will begin to be respected in a different dimension.

Nigerians And Africans Don’t Have a Voice In Spain, How Will Your Party Help Africans To Gain Recognition?

I have begin to notice that the group of Africans, and Nigerians coming into Spain lately are different from the first group of people that came to Europe earlier, the Nigerians that migrated first to Italy and Europe spoiled their names everywhere. There is a different group of people coming in now, those that have the value for Education, a lot of them starting churches etc. When the people see these things, gradually, it makes their mentality and concept to change as they begin to see that they are organized towards positive things. If we win, I will convey to the National Government that the Universities here should be bi-lingual, because the language is a barrier that prevents African immigrants to acquire University Education as it is in United States of America and Great Britain. Also, I will ask that Africans should be given bursary and in addition, finance their housing facilities as rents are high and it is difficult for African students to meet up with the high cost of accommodation during the cause of their studies, because I believe that the best way to integrate into a society and gain acceptance is through Education.

You Are Multi-talented, Lawyer, Politician, Writer, And I can Say, You Are, a Child Of The Universe, Please Tell Us About Your Forays Into Writing?

I crawled into writing because of what happened to me, which made me feel, it is good to write to keep records, create awareness, and write for people to know their rights. I have launched into world history with these books: ‘The Case That Bruised My Heart, Eight Thousand Miles, A City Of Two Umbrellas, Another Will Open, Make Wealth Everywhere, The Reward Of A Good Man, What Good Is Happiness, High Level Of Effectiveness, Leadership, A Thorn Rose, and ‘In A Closed Business Growth.

OKEZIE IKPEAZU, A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART TO LEAD ABIA STATE

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent Spain)

OKEZIE IKPEAZU, A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART TO LEAD ABIA STATE

The emergence of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as the PDP flag bearer for the government house of Abia state has a divine connotation. Most great leaders of the Bible time and in the world have always passed through the low ebb of their society as a preparatory ground, and emerged from the rubbles and dust to glory. The likes of Jesus, Moses, Joseph, and in the modern time, Mandela and Obama went through the rungs as a preparatory ground to acquaint them with the suffering and needs of the people and the down trodden masses they would lead.

According to the lyrics of the song by Bette Midler, “from a distance the world looks blue and green and the snow capped mountains white…God is watching us.” But in the case of Abia, the world did not look blue and green; rather the land looked black, gloomy, and was covered with filth, dirt and refuse. And God was watching the reaction of every Abia person dwelling under the inhuman condition and environment. An environment the deadly Ebola, was scared to enter knowing full well that the filth in Aba and its environs were more dangerous and deadlier than Ebola itself.  Aba and Abians groped under the now giant of a cemetery known as Enyimba city before.

The parable of the Good Samaritan tells a story of a man who was robbed of everything he had and beaten to a state of coma, abandoned to die in a treacherous, windy and favorite hideout for robbers and thieves. The priests and scribes whom by nature of their positions were supposed to have compassion and to help others showed no love or compassion for the man by failing to help him. They turned their eyes elsewhere and passed on the other side of the road so as not to get involved. Aba and Abia state was in that condition. The rich and those who were in position to help, among them are those who are scrambling to occupy the seat of the government house now, non saw the need to help before now. But someone decided to do the odd job without minding. The Good Samaritan saw only a person in dire need of assistance and went beyond common decency and decorum to assist him.

Okezie Ikpeazu, like the Good Samaritan, and Jesus who chose to wash the feet of his disciples, stripped himself of his position in the ivory tower, and picked up his broom, shovel and truck to sweep and carry the garbage for the people. “But among you it will be different; whoever wants to be a leader among must be your servant” Mathew 20: 26. Okezie saw Abia in need and humbly offered to serve the people by becoming a street sweeper, a menial and unattractive job many would not like to do. It takes a man with a humble disposition, discipline, patience ,tolerance and love, which are ingredients and qualities a good leader should have to do that. The things men do tells about them and speaks for them.

While Okezie Ikpeazu became like “onye eburu”, (night soil man)  sweeping the streets of Aba and environs under rain and sun, and carrying the dung and refuse for the rich and poor while others were enjoying the posh comfort of their offices and homes, God was watching from a distance. Just like Moses and David great leaders after God’s own heart were prepared in the bush for years as shepherds taking care of sheep in the wilderness.  Like Moses, Okezie received and obtained the best education, training and preparation that Nigerian Universities could offer. In terms of education, he is sound and well tutored, having a doctorate degree in Biochemical Pharmacology. Armed with that, and as is akin to Nigerians, many would have thought he would have set his eyes only on juicy and plum jobs befitting his status.   

Okezie refused and ran from what the vast majority of people and his contemporaries spend their lives trying to attain riches and fame. He gave up pleasures, treasures and self pride because of love for his people. From the ivory tower, Okezie watched and saw his own Abia people living in a slump. He saw the rot, decay and refuse in Aba and environs. Something stirred within Okezie, like the American philosophy that says, don’t ask what America will do for you, but what you will do for America. He became aware that Abia is his own state and he has a duty to perform for his people. He decided to do the odd job and became a street sweeper. According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “A great man is always willing to be little”.

From a distance, God was watching and observed how Ikpeazu carefully, lovingly and humbly was sweeping the streets for Abians to enable them enjoy a better life. God in his tradition of judging men from heart and not from outward disposition approved Okezie Ikpeazu as the kind of servant He needed to take charge of Abia state.  Okezie Ikpeazu’s story fits in the Biblical portion that says, “He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honour. 1 Samuel 2:8.

Ikpeazu is a man of the people, with a humble spirit, approachable and gives a listening ear to people. A colleague who had a meeting with him, reported that he was highly impressed with the kind welcome and respect he accorded to him even without knowing him. His aides welcomed him cordially and offered him cola. Okezie greeted him as father when he came to meet him, not knowing who he is. And he gave him a very warm welcome when he disclosed his identity and status. An attitude contrary to his contemporaries who are already playing God before the people they are aspiring to lead could see them. An egg that will hatch into a cock could be spotted from day one.

From all indications, Okezie is set to harmonize the state of things in Abia, and the signs are already echoing through the land. There is the voice of hope, there is the voice of peace and it is the voice and wish of every Abian.  Abians, Okezie has played the Good Samaritan to you before now like Moses from prince to pauper for your sake. “He who sacrifices a whole offering shall be rewarded for a whole offering; he who offers a burnt offering shall have the reward of a burnt offering. But he who offers humility to God and man shall be rewarded with a reward as if he has offered all the sacrifices in the world”. The Talmud. Abians, this is the time to reward Okezie for his service and humility.

With Okezie, the state of Abia will look blue and green, and with him the ocean will meet the stream, and the eagle will take to flight in Abia. With Okezie, Abians will sing a new song, songs of peace, songs of hope and the voice of peace and love will be the voice of every Abian. Diseases will not have a place to dwell as the dirt, dung, and refuse will not occupy the land. Abians will be an instrument marching in a common band, playing songs of hope and peace for our children. There will be a new song in the lip of every Abia man.

Abians like Moses, God has sent a man after His own heart to you, embrace him and you will sing the Lords song in God’s own state.

 

HOW SPAIN MOURNED AGBONEVBARE

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Posted in: Sports

How Spain mourned Agbonevbare

•His deathbed wish •Died wretched •Why he was buried in Spain •Abandoned by NFF

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent, Spain)

 The death and burial of the late Wilfred Agbonavbare, takes one to the biblical verse that says, “a prophet is not without honour but in his own country and among his own kin and in his own house.”  (Mark 6: 4). It is a case of The Road We Traveled: A Memoire of Two Worlds (Uchendu Precious Onuoha 2013).

He was neglected, rejected, and abandoned by one, but cared for, accepted, and received by another.

To Nigeria, the land of his birth, he gave and used his talents for at the time of need, but he was despised and avoided. In his pain and acquaintance with sickness, Nigeria concealed her face from him, and held him as of no account. But for the glory of his country, he received pains and sustained injuries on the field of play; and for his bruises, there were smiles in our faces and our name was written in soccer history. But when he needed Nigeria most, the stately form he adorned was forgotten, despised, and no appearance to desire him. But the love, care, and affection denied him by Nigeria were given to him by Spain.

Agbonavbare, the ex-Nigerian national team goalkeeper, who passed on at about 4a.m on January 27, 2015 in Spain, was born on October 5, 1966 in Lagos and hailed from Edo State. He is survived by three children, Wilson (son); Winthia (first daughter) and Stefani (second daughter). He started his football career in 1983 with the then New Nigerian Bank Football Club. He later moved to BBC Lions, and to Rayo Vallecano Football Club, Spain, in 1990. He featured with the Nigerian under-20 team at the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship in Mexico. He played for a decade in the national team, and was in the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia as well as 1994 World Cup in the United States of America (U.S.A). He played for Rayo Vallecano where he was held in high esteem for six years. He is known in the Spanish club side as “Willy the cat, Willy the champion.”

His football career ended with Rayo Vallecano in 1996. According to his children, he was last in Nigeria in 1998 when he relocated his family to Nigeria for them to have their education in Nigeria. They did not see their father again until his death. Their mother returned to Spain in 2001, and died of cancer in Spain about seven years ago. Things went bad for Willy after the death of his wife. He took up a menial job with MRW, a courier company at Barajas Airport, Madrid, in order to survive. In an interview with his boss at MRW before he took ill, he said: “My wife died of breast cancer three years ago. I spent all the money I made playing professional football on her medical bills.”

He also said that his wish was to establish a football academy in Nigeria. Subsequently, Willy was relieved of his job in the company after he was diagnosed of cancer.

While he was battling with cancer, he appealed to the Nigerian Government and Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for help, but his appeal fell on deaf ears as none came to his rescue. He suffered and paid the supreme price as a result of neglect and abandonment from Nigeria his fatherland. At the height of his battle against cancer, he sought treatment in Florida, U.S.A. When it appeared that his chances of survival were very slim after five months in Florida, he was flown back to Spain. The Spanish people received him with open heart and arms. They showed him love and affection denied him by his own country during the last stage of his life.

In demonstration of their care and love for Willy, a Spanish old woman had to pay his children’s airfare from Nigeria to see their father in Spain. The woman was ejected from her house due to her inability to pay her rents, and Rayo, Wilfred’s former club, got a flat for the poor old woman, and contributed 21,000 euros for her upkeep. The woman, who learnt about Wilfred’s wish to see his children before he died, while accepting the cheque, donated half of the amount for the children’s flight tickets from Nigeria to Spain for Willy to see them before his death. But sadly, due to some delays, he died before they arrived Spain.

News about his last moments, his death and burial was given adequate coverage in the Spanish media.

During his funeral, members of his club, Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid FC representatives, MRW, thousands of Spanish sympathisers, a delegation of Nigerian Embassy in Spain, members of the Nigerian Nationals Madrid, representative of the Federation of Nigerian Communities Spain and some other Nigerians were there with his children to pay him their last respect. A football match between Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo FC was organised as a tribute to him. The Spanish people poured encomiums on him as a very good, humble, friendly and talented person. They adorned the stadium with banners bearing his photograph with inscriptions such as Adios Willy the cat, Willy the champion, and lots more. The club went further to immortalise his name by renaming gate 1 of the stadium as WILFRED ABGONAVBARE gate.

The Nigerian Ambassador in Spain, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, cut short her trip to U.S.A. and flew back to Spain to attend the funeral.

In her usual manner, to always be on the spot of incidents where duty calls, she led a delegation of the embassy staff to pay homage to Wilfred and to sympathise and empathise with the children and family.

Our correspondent, who spoke to a cross section of Nigerians, his children and the Nigerian ambassador in Spain over his death, observed that many Nigerians felt disillusioned as to why such a prominent Nigerian should be buried in a foreign land.

His children said it was their unanimous decision that their father be buried in Spain alongside their late mother.

They also expressed their desire to stay back in Spain.

“We don’t wish to go back to Nigeria as we have nothing doing in Nigeria, our mother is dead and our father who used to fend for us is now dead, and the Nigerian Government is not ready to help us, so what are we going back to do? We are highly disappointed in the attitude of the Nigerian government towards our late father despite the service he rendered to Nigeria.

“All the promises made to him and his colleagues for making Nigeria proud in the field of football, none was fulfilled until now. The scholarship to tertiary institution that the government promised the country’s Under-20 FIFA youth squad, who played in Mexico 1983, was not given to him. Even the houses that were promised the players, who featured in the African Cup of Nations in Tunisia, and the World Cup in U.S.A. 94, were not given. And since he died, the NFF has not called us or sent any condolence message; even during his burial, NFF did not send any representative,” they said.

However, they singled out the Nigeria Embassy in Spain for commendation, saying; “We are grateful to the embassy, especially to Ambassador Ojukwu; she is so nice, she talked to us and consoled us heartily, and even gave us an envelope and asked us to contact the Embassy for any assistance we may need. And we asked her to help us request the Spanish authority to extend our visas to enable us arrange things and process our stay here as two of us were born here.”

On her part, Ambassador Ojukwu promised that the embassy would do everything possible to assist them, adding that already, the embassy has written to the Spanish government requesting that they extend the children’s stay to enable them arrange how to secure any property their father had or benefits accruing to their father in Spain.She said that on receiving the news of his death, the embassy also contacted the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) but was yet to receive any response. Ambassador Bianca said the embassy contacted his Spanish football club to help and contact the Spanish Embassy in Nigeria for visa to be granted to his children immediately they were informed about his admission in the Spanish hospital and his wish to see his children. The embassy also asked the Spanish authority not to cremate his corpse immediately, but put it in a morgue for a while, to give time to arrange and sort out certain issues prior to his burial. The Ambassador thanked his former club, company and the entire Spanish people for the care, love and tribute they gave the late Nigerian player.