Beyond Football: The Match for a Better Nigeria
This weekend, Europe comes alive again with football. Millions of Nigerian youths will be glued to television screens, streaming matches, debating tactics, celebrating victories, and admiring the organisation, discipline, and excellence that make European football the envy of the world. But here is a question worth asking: Why can’t Nigerian football be just as good?
The answer is not a lack of talent. Nigeria has produced world-class footballers who have excelled in Europe because they found systems that reward merit, invest in infrastructure, ensure security, and are governed with competence and accountability. Great football does not exist in isolation. It grows where there is good governance.
The stadiums, academies, transport systems, healthcare, security, electricity, and institutions that support football are products of leaders who make the right choices and citizens who insist on accountability. Nigeria has the talent. What we have lacked is leadership that creates an enabling environment for that talent to flourish.
As I have decided, in the next 150 days, to engage Nigerian youths wherever they gather—in town halls, campuses, online spaces, and even football communities—my message is simple: The future you admire in Europe can be built in Nigeria. But it starts with your vote.
Imagine a Nigeria where our local league is competitive, our stadiums are full every weekend, our clubs attract sponsorship, our coaches receive proper training, and young footballers no longer see emigration as their only path to success.
Nigeria will not emerge through wishful thinking. It will emerge when young Nigerians decide that elections matter as much as football matches. Every goal scored in Europe is a reminder that excellence is possible. Every well-managed league is proof that systems work when honest leadership is in place.
The 2027 presidential election is therefore more than a political contest. It is an opportunity for Nigerian youths to choose the kind of country they want—a nation that exports talent because it is respected, not because its citizens are escaping failed governance.
Cheer for Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter, AC Milan, or any club you support. Enjoy every match. But when the final whistle blows, remember that the greatest match awaiting Nigerian youths is not in Europe. It is in Nigeria.
It is the match for good governance. It is the match for jobs, security, education, sports development, and national renewal. And unlike football, where only twenty-two players are on the pitch, every Nigerian youth has a place in this match.
Stand up. Mobilise. Vote. Defend your vote.
If Nigerian youths can passionately follow European football every weekend, they can also passionately build a Nigeria where our own football—and our nation—becomes a source of pride.
The journey towards better Nigerian football begins with the path to good governance. And the path to good governance begins with the decision of Nigerian youths to stand up and be counted in 2027.
Every weekend, starting today, I will come to you with a reminder of January 16, 2027, and our future. We can create world-class standards right here at home.
It’s in your hands, and that new Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Arteta is playing smart with Martinelli Madueke and Eze has not really worked out well and there is no way his going to sell either of them because that will send a wrong signal, so his just using Martinelli to justify his bad recruitment in Madueke and Eze
Ian Wright “It makes me uncomfortable how Martinelli is being treated. I know that he hasnt been spoken to or know what is going on. I think he has done enough to be treated with respect. I hope it works out right for Gabi”
I honestly don’t know how to write this without sounding broken.
I am Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, and I just want to ask you to please remember the people who have been killed in Nigeria.
Please don’t let their names become just another statistic.
Behind every death is a family. A father who won’t come home. A mother whose children will never hear her voice again. A husband who told his wife he would be back. A child who is now growing up without a parent.
Some families went to sleep expecting a normal day. They woke up to gunshots, destruction and the worst news anyone can receive.
Today, some homes have empty chairs.
Some children are asking questions nobody knows how to answer.
Some widows are wondering how they will feed their children tomorrow.
Some communities are still burying their loved ones while the rest of the world has already moved on to the next story.
I know it is easy to scroll past these stories when they are happening somewhere far away.
But imagine it was your family.
Imagine getting that phone call.
Imagine standing beside the grave of someone you spoke to, prayed with, ate with and loved just days before.
Wouldn’t you want someone to remember them?
Wouldn’t you want someone to pray for you?
Wouldn’t you want someone to simply say, “You are not alone”?
That is why I keep speaking.
Not because I have all the answers, but because I refuse to forget.
Please pray for Nigeria.
Pray for the widows and orphans.
Pray for the wounded.
Pray for families who have lost everything.
Pray for the communities living in fear.
Pray for those working to protect innocent people.
And pray for peace.
The Bible says, “Mourn with those who mourn.”
So today, I mourn with them.
And I ask you to mourn with them too.
To every family that has buried someone they love: we have not forgotten you.
To every child who has lost a parent: you are not forgotten.
To every widow trying to figure out how to face tomorrow: you are not forgotten.
And to everyone reading this, please do one thing for me:
Remember them when you pray tonight.
May God comfort the brokenhearted, protect the innocent, bring peace to Nigeria and give strength to everyone carrying this pain.
Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo
You measure success by one award. I measure it by sold-out arenas, billions of streams, global influence, and people singing my songs across continents.
You had government backing and still couldn't convince enough people to back you in your small constituency..
You’re a small boy who came into politics by accident..
You spent 8yrs with the ex president and couldn’t make a change in your poverty stricken community..
We all have different trophies Bashir, I’ll keep inspiring the young ones and generations to come while you wait for the next government job to get crumbs.
Messi played more minutes in world cup than must of our extended holidays players and Messi is 39 years old back at his club playing already, by now, Zubi, Merino, madueke, Eze, should have returned to Arsenal
Is actually painful after months of speculations him been our number one target in less than 24 hours he is a Chelsea player, Premier league young player of the year and Europa player of the season he what every penny Chelsea paid for him good luck Rogers
Arsenal went for this guy when he was in Lyon but eventually he ended up at Newcastle and up till date Arsenal still retain interest where he is Mikel make it happen ❤️
You earn my respect fully Declan, for the huge alone I love you brother a black man cold not even shake his hand but you the reining champion of English premier league with all humility hugged him respect respect captain material
What a proud moment am having as an arsenal fan really loyalty pays bragging rights are intact respect and well mannered talk's about arsenal everywhere it feels so good to be champion thank you Mikel thank you Rice when you said is not done your word gave me hope again and now