U-17 Scandal Soyinka Salutes Amasiemaka’s Courage

Rivers State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke (left) in a handshake with his counterpart for Agriculture, Hon. Emmanuel Chindah, during the official launch of FADAMA III project at ADP Demonstration farm, Rumuodomaya, Obio/Akpor LGA, yesterday. Photo: Nwiue Donatus Ken.

Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, Wednesday in Lagos bared his mind on the scandal that trailed Nigeria’s fielding of mostly over aged players as Under-17 during the recently concluded football tournament in Nigeria, describing it as a “new frontier in 419”.

Soyinka who spoke after presenting the Civil Society Prize for Anti-Corruption to the former EFCC boss, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, through his wife; praised the whistle blower, Adokiye Amesimeka as a fine patriot deserving national honour.

“I’ve heard people saying he is unpatriotic. What patriotism? People talking like that are complicitors and accessories to the indecent conduct that has exposed you and I to worse image,” said the literary giant.

He added that whoever condoled that scandal is saying that it is okay for our young ones to go and cheat in exams” We were known as internet fraudsters before, we have now taken our 419 to the ridiculous extent of not being able to pick proper 17 year olds.”

With a tone of indignation Soyinka demanded a thorough investigation into the sordid episode “all those involved must be punished,” he said.