Ex-Gov Kalu Abandons FIFA Presidency Bid

Photo: Premium Times

Former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, has officially suspended his ambition to run for the FIFA presidency.

By Tunde Eludini

As the world awaits the final list of FIFA Presidential candidates to be unveiled after Monday midnight deadline, former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, has officially suspended his ambition to run for the FIFA presidency.

Mr..Kalu, who made this known through a press statement, said he had chosen to concentrate on his business even though he was humbled by the wide support his earlier plan to contest enjoyed.

Following Monday's deadline, Mr. Kalu acknowledged the support of President Muhammadu Buhari and other African presidents for their patriotic roles.

The statement signed by his adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, on Monday, said, "I feel humbled and honoured with the widespread call for me to vie for the position of FIFA president".

"I sincerely appreciate the show of love and support demonstrated by African countries of endorsements despite my decision not to submit a bid. I particularly remain grateful to FIFA President, Seff Blatter and his team for personally acknowledging my capability to take the world football body to enviable heights.

"However, considering the economic challenges facing Nigeria, I have decided to focus my attention and resources on my business and humanitarian activities. I strongly believe the FIFA presidency is all about service, but I would rather continue my contributions to the economy of the continent by creating employment opportunities and wealth for Africans.

"As a football enthusiast, I remain committed and passionate to the advancement of sports especially Africa," Mr. Kalu declared.

The former governor also applauded the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for encouraging Nigerians to vie for the FIFA presidency, adding that Nigeria had showcased her human assets to the world.

For now, it is yet to be seen if Segun Odegbami, the other Nigerian also interested in the number one football position, will make the final list of contestant as his endorsement by the NFF came very late.

Why I Couldn't Investigate Dele Giwa's Death--Ex-DIG

Lagos — Twenty-nine years after the murder of renowned journalist, Dele Giwa, a retired police chief, Chris Omeben, who conducted the investigation, said the unresolved assassination was the most frustrating case he handled in his career.

Giwa, Founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, was killed through a parcel bomb at his Ikeja, Lagos residence on October 19, 1986.

Omeben, a former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG, who turns 80 on October 27, said, yesterday, that the high profile investigation was marred by interferences from "high places."

The DIG explained that even when he had narrowed in on the principal suspect, who could have thrown more light on the riddle, the suspect was allowed to escape from Nigeria.

Omeben, now an Archbishop at Jesus Families Ministries, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, said Giwa was also careless in maintaining a relationship with his estranged wife.

He said: "They said somebody brought a parcel and his son, Billy, received the parcel and took it to his father (Dele Giwa), who was having his breakfast that morning.

"On the breakfast table with Dele was a man called Kayode Soyinka. I heard that when Billy handed over the parcel, Soyinka left the table and went to the adjacent room.

"It was while he was there that the parcel detonated. Dele was injured and eventually died. The metal partition separating the dining room and the kitchen was destroyed.

"Beyond that, everything in the kitchen was destroyed. If metal could be mangled this way by the bomb, what happened to Soyinka Nobo