Another View on The Southerner Newspaper 

Saturday, September 6, 2025

At the burial of Nigeria’s former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai (Dodo Mayana), his playmate and former international star, Pastor Taribo West cried out against the poor treatment meted out to former internationals and their family members.

He was particularly angry that the Federal Government of Nigeria did not play any role in the burial of Peter Rufai.

Though, it has been refuted by the Nigeria Football Federation. The NFF claimed they visited the family of the late star as a show of concern when they learnt of his demise.

West cried and cursed that none of his children would get his support wanting to lay their boots for the country. That is his choice, though. But he should know that Nigeria is a country not in short supply of talents. They are in quantum.

However, it is shocking that such outburst and comment could come from a man that has benefitted hugely in materials and finances, no matter how little from Nigeria each time he and his colleagues played for the country.

Taribo West and his colleagues owe Nigeria gratitude for exposing them to international limelight. It is very obvious that without wearing the country’s Green White Green colours, they would not be where they are today.

Nigeria made these stars. Several of them are presently multi millionaires with investments here and there. They have national and international contacts and exposures. How many policemen/women or soldiers have such opportunities?

Again, I think Pastor Taribo West spoke from the position of, Me, Myself and I. He spoke from the standpoint of a man who sees himself and his profession as more important than the others.

What in real sense does Pastor West want from the Federal Government for himself and his colleagues? Is Taribo West and his constituency the only group that have laboured to serve Nigeria?

The Lagos State Government, according to media reports gave the family of Peter Rufai #15million to cater for the burial of the late star. Was that not a show of care? Did Pastor West send a message of gratitude to the State Government?

Are our sports men and women the only citizens contributing to the development of Nigeria?This Preacher of the Gospel should think before speaking out because of the religious position he occupies today. He is now a religious role model that represents Christianity at all times.

Many members of his Church will often want to seek his spiritual intervention in critical matters. I guess he should be able to teach them to appreciate little mercies and breakthroughs from God.

It is sheer Grace of God that they made it to the top eleven. They are, of course not the best legs in the country. It is good for one’s country to show appreciation to men and women who did the country proud in world events, not just in sports.

Many Nigerians, including me are not happy with our political leaders’ governance style but it is not enough to deny the country. God in His infinite Mercy has planted us here to make our individual contributions to building this great country called Nigeria.

Starting from 1980, from my reckoning, Nigerian governments have stepped out to appreciate our sports men and women who had won laurels. That does not include their salaries and allowances most times paid in dollars.

In 1980, the Green Eagles, as they were then called, lifted the African Cup of Nations. They were compensated by the then President Shehu Shagari government financially and materially. Some state governments and individuals lined up to gift them more money and other items.

That has continued till date depending on who is in power and the style of generosity he wishes to adopt.

Recently, the Super Falcons and D’Tigress won gold medals in their various championships., The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised them thousands of dollars, houses and awards for every member of the two teams. Some states followed suit.

As usual, this does not include their salaries and bonuses throughout the competitions. As much as we may sometimes frown at the government, we cannot also afford to put things in proper perspective.

Pastor Taribo West must come to the realization that there are men and women contributing quite enormously in the service of the country than our sports men and women. These group of Nigerians are hardly honoured or appreciated. They are rather treated shabbily, disdained, impoverished and most of them die wretched while their families suffer.

The Nigerian teachers are a typical example of the worst paid in the country, despite the great service this sector offers in nation building. No headmaster/headmistress, principal or Professor in any Nigerian school and institution can buy a car with his or her one year salary. These men and women in our classrooms, whether in elementary, secondary or tertiary levels are treated with ignominy and abandonment.

Teachers are builders. They are trainers. We all passed through the hands and tutelage of teachers at one point or the other to arrive at the enviable positions we occupy today. But quite unfortunate and disappointing in Nigeria, we treat that profession with total inconsequentiality. We abandon our groomers and cause them to die in penury.

As I write, there are soldiers who have not seen the comfort of their homes for six months running. They are in the battlefield with insurgents and terrorists to keep Nigeria moving. Some get killed and maimed for life. How much is their salary and allowance?

It is the same with our Police, and other security agencies. They are out in the cold and hot weather because of you and I. They are there so we can sleep soundly yet, these men are never paid or compensated handsomely. But in this same country members of the National Assembly smile home monthly with millions.

Some of these security personnel get killed or maimed in active service. They are never remembered. Their families are forever forgotten and in some occasions denied of their bread winner’s financial benefits.

Some days ago, my Comrade and friend, Omoyele Sowore led a group of retired police officers to Louis Edet House, in Abuja, to press for the payment of retired Police officers’ entitlements. Are these not Nigerians who served the country meritoriously? They put in their blood, risked their lives, denied their families comfort for years in the service of their fatherland. But here they were starved of the little funds that is their rights. How do they continue their lives outside service?

Let us approach any Nigerian soldier or police officer to tell you his salary, allowance and welfare package. You will shed tears. Men and women who are in the battlefield, their monthly package is not compared to even a state legislative aide. It is not the country but our leadership that has refused to organize the country to favour all.

Pastor West should be grateful that he and his colleagues were paid beautifully during their days. Our medical doctors, nurses and other medical staff are not well paid. The Nigerian Medical Association and Nurses are always at loggerheads with the government for not fulfilling payment agreements reached. Taribo can go and verify from the doctors or nurses. It is woes, complaints and disappointments from these groups. For sure, you cannot compare the service of medical personnel to that of sports men and women.

These are people who daily risk their lives in saving others. The case of Dr. Stella Adedavoh, the woman who died to save millions of Nigerians from dying of Ebola. What did she or her family get from government? Where was Pastor Taribo West?

Nigerian sports men and women have been recognized and paid better than most professions in Nigeria. Yet, they are not the only group working for the greatness of the country. They should also come together to be of help to their sick members and families in need and not always expect government to be their cash cow.

There are Nigerians in the forefront for building a peaceful, united and prosperous country. Some are in public service and others in the private sector. Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chima Ubani and others worked so hard in their private capacities for a better society. How were they compensated?

There are those alive contributing immensely for a better Nigeria. They are not recognized but rather hauled abuses, arrested and detained.

The other day I passed through a road, and I saw fellow citizens manually digging the gutters and drainages so water can flow freely. How much are they going to be paid? When they fall ill, who will care for their medical expenses?

All the traders especially our women who are on our roads all day and night to ensure the availability of commodities in markets are also in service of fatherland, working for the peace and progress of one Nigeria. Pastor West should not be under the illusion that he and his colleagues alone tapping the round leather deserve the greatest honour and accolades. Others deserve such too.

After all, we are all Nigerians.