FOR THE RECORDS: On Stephen Keshi

I am, personally, not  impressed with the kind of tributes late Nigerian hero, Stephen Keshi is getting from public office holders. For example, President Muhammadu Buhari only described him as a great sportsman, football player and coach. His twitter message read: “Nigeria today lost a great sportsman, football player, coach and a citizen.

Yours Sincerely have always lambasted Nigeria’s dubious reward system, in which charlatans, who stole our commonwealth and denied Nigerians a life, are upgraded to statesmen.

The truth of the matter is: there is no person in Keshi’s generation who gave more to his country than him. He is a true example of Nigerian hero who helped to mitigate the anguish of Nigerians, caused by cruel and corrupt leaders, by winning the Nations Cup on two occasions, as a player and later as a coach.

When Keshi helped small Togo to qualify for World Cup 2006, the country rewarded him with the highest honour in the land, “Grande Commanderie du Hallc Togolaise Republique.” President Faure Gnassingbe had said, “this is an honour to recognize your momental achievement for Togo and her people. You will forever be remembered for this singular feat as we (Togo) have been viewed by the outside world before now as a small country with lesser opportunities of success. Today, you have made Togo great and we stand tall amongst the league of soccer super powers”.

Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the red carpet is rolled out for thieves and all sorts of criminals, masquerading as leaders, but sat squarely and firmly on the destiny of the Nigerian people.

In 2014, in response to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s grotesque Centenary awards, I wrote in my Blueprint weekly column: “The balance sheet of 53 years of bad leadership are: grave insecurity, hunger, 80% youth unemployment, lack of basic infrastructure, water and electricity, high rate of infant mortality, lack of vaccine against malaria, short life span and an almost empty treasury. It is absurd and an insult to Nigerians, especially those who have genuinely contributed to the country, that those who are indeed responsible for the pitiable state of Nigeria were honoured by Jonathan.”

Then I added: “Medals can’t erase or change history. They could be given to people like Babangida, Abacha, and Obasanjo etc. Big Boulevards in Abuja and other capitals could be named after them. Nevertheless, at the end what counts is the place they occupy in the hearts and memory of Nigerians.”

I am saddened because I had expected more recognition for keshi, a day or two of national mourning, naming of a street or complex after him, flying the flag, at least that of NFF at half-mast etc.

If keshi is not a Nigerian hero, who else is? Definitely not Babangida, Obasanjo, Atiku nor Abubakar, who Nigerians spend their lives cursing. I have tried to think of a Nigerian greater than Keshi in the minds of the people, I cannot remember any. Can someone help me?