By Frank Momoh
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, weekend in his office inaugurated a 9-member panel of inquiry to investigate the remote causes and the level of vandalism at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja after the 2022 World Cup second leg playoff between Nigeria and Ghana that ended in 1-1 draw.
Dare, during the inauguration, stated that Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup is most regrettable but described the acts of vandalism as saddening and totally unacceptable to Government.
While assuring millions of sports loving Nigerians that necessary steps will be taken to deal with the issues that led to Nigeria’s inability to qualify, he advised Nigerian youth to stop destroying public properties at the slightest provocation.
The committee which has 2 weeks (14) days to complete its assignment and make presentation, has the underlisted terms of reference:
Finding the immediate and remote causes of the incident, determine the extent of destruction, investigating the role of the security agencies, identifying the culprits and make recommendations on how to prevent future occurrence.
Members of the committee include, DIG Sanni Mohammed (rtd) as Chairman, Dr. Henry Nzekwu, Navy Commodore Omatsey Nesiama (rtd), Alhaji Abba Yola, Dr. Simon Ebhojiaye and Mrs. Tayo Oreweme.
The others are: Mr. Mitchell Obi, Representative of DSS and Mr. Olumide Bamiduro as Secretary.
Responding, the Chairman of the panel, DIG Sanni Mohammed (rtd) on behalf of other members of the committee assured that the panel would discharge its responsibilities diligently in line with its terms of reference.