NSC Chairman joins NUJ, Dr Sanusi, Dr Emeruwa, others to discuss importance of Integrity in Sports

The first ever Integrity Symposium by Sport Integrity Foundation known as Integrity Group, was held on Friday 6th December, 2024 at the media center of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Chairman National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko was in attendance at the fora on integrity, as he promised policy action and implementation that will ensure the integrity of sports in Nigeria with an independent compliance desk that will cover all sports federations in the country. 

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi delivered the Keynote lecture on 'Importance of Integrity in Sports' where he highlighted factors that could promote or pull-down campaign for integrity. 

"Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral values. It is one of the core values that every society, organisation or community needs. Where it is violated or not adhered to, it affects everything concerned. 

The related components are issues of fairness, equity, governance, leadership and personal interaction. These are the major components that integrity looks at."

Dr Sanusi was the first person to create and lead the Integrity Unit of the Nigeria Football Federation about a decade ago, as such he was honoured as 'Integrity Projenitor' and given a plaque by the Integrity Group. 

CAF Head of Safety and Security Dr Christian Emeruwa in his remarks, praised the Chairman National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko for creating time to attend the Integrity Symposium; noting that it is a sign that sports in Nigeria is heading somewhere. 

"As someone who championed this cause in Nigeria for over 5 years, I can tell you categorically that it's a battle that you fight alone. But I think, if Nigerian sports is to move forward, the issue of ethics and integrity has to come into place. We must begin to ask questions. Who are the people coming to lead our sports. We've been doing this for over 30 years and we're still where we are.

Why, because we've political jobbers that have taken over the realm of leadership of sports in Nigeria over the years. There has been no process to profile them. There has been no process to determine their credibility and this has led us to where we are," he noted.

Media magnate Mr. Frank Idemudia Alapa who delivered the second paper on 'The media and the essentiality of Integrity to an athlete's career'; enthused that the media should never be shy of saying the truth at all time. Noting that it is like a reset button to the athletes and the administrators. He also noted that it is the responsibility of the media to responsibly protect Nigerian athletes. 

"Sports is not an entertainment. It is our shared habbit and our athletes are more than players. They're national poets, cultural icons and ambassadors of our traditional values." 

FCT NUJ Chairperson, Comrade Grace Ike in her message commended Sport Integrity Foundation (Integrity Group) for coming up with the symposium and revealed that the NUJ is indeed looking forward to forming a partnership with the National Sports Commission to address issues of integrity. 

"Issue of lack of integrity in Nigeria sports, how are they reported, are they under reported are they well reported? 

The media needs to report cases of lack of integrity in every aspect of sports. But not only reporting them but infact, must follow it up and make it an agenda that any case of abuse, inequality is reported. 

And that is where the NUJ is coming in. At this point the NUJ will look forward to seek partnership with the national sports commission so that we make sure issues of integrity are well reported not only in FCT but across the country."

The NUJ Chairperson was represented by Comr. Yahaya Ndambabo.

The Integrity Group also unveiled their Integrity Ambassadors at the event. Announcing Nigeria youth international and MFK Karvina of Slovakia player, Yahaya Lawali and FC Slovan Librec forward Joel Yakubu as it's ambassadors.

Coordinator of Integrity Group, Comrade Abiola Shodiya explained that though the players are young, but they have impressive characters and the cause will shape their careers to be exemplary models for the younger ones.