‘ Nigeria’s Sports Minister not sincere ‘ – House of Reps Sports Committee Chairman declares

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Hon. Ekene Adams has voiced strong criticism towards Senator John Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, accusing him of insincerity regarding the country’s sports development goals.

The lawmaker, who represents the Chikun Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, expressed his concerns about the Minister’s transparency and cooperation since his appointment.

Hon. Adams noted that despite the House Committee’s efforts to cooperate with the Minister, there have been significant issues regarding transparency. He pointed out that their respect and cooperation, extended partly because of the Minister’s background as a former lawmaker, have not been reciprocated adequately.

Adams stated that the Committee has been patient and respectful towards Minister Enoh, yet they feel taken for granted. He pointed out that the Minister’s newness to the sports sector should have prompted him to seek guidance from experienced professionals in the field.

A specific point of contention highlighted by Adams is the allocation of the budget for the renovation and maintenance of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in the 2024 budget. He questioned the rationale behind this decision, given that the stadium had already been handed over to the Kaduna State Government.

Adams stressed that the Committee has made considerable efforts to foster a good working relationship with the Minister. However, he maintained that the lack of sincerity and transparency from the Minister’s side is unacceptable. He called for a more honest and cooperative approach to effectively achieve the country’s sports development goals.

His words: “The House Committee on Sports and my personal self have been very co-operative with the Minister of Sports all this while but we have discovered it seems he is taking us for granted with some of the things we are seeing so far.

“We decided to accord him the ultimate regard and respect because he is a former legislator but we discovered he is taking us for granted which we find totally unacceptable.

“As he is new in the Sports sector and appointed as a Sports Minister he should ask questions because he came into the sector as a farmer and he should know that some of us are sports technocrats who have been in football for all our life, as former footballer and then administrator.

“For example, why should the Minister still allocate budget for the renovation and maintenance of the Ahmadu Bello stadium in the 2024 budget after the stadium had been handed over to the Kaduna State Government?

“I think as the Chairman House Committee on Sports, we have tried enough to have a smooth and good understanding with the Minister but he is not being sincere with us,” Adams said.