Emmanuel Uja is a popular name in Benue State. A respected journalist, he has served at the topmost levels of the profession and worked with some of the biggest newspapers in the country. A keen football lover, he literally breathes the sport 24 hours a day.
Recently, he fielded questions online from People&Politics Editor, FELIX DURUMBAH. Excerpts:
People&Politics: Not long ago, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia appointed you as Media Director, Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi, the state’s biggest football club. How did you feel on receiving news of the appointment?
Uja: I feel great and excited because I have been promoting sports for quite a long time in Benue State and working under His Excellency Governor Hyacinth Alia, it’s a privilege and opportunity to support his massive sports policy, which is targeted towards discovering young talent and nurturing them to stardom.
People&Politics: Lobi Stars has been described as Nigeria’s most nomadic club of the past few years, having to change stadiums across the country almost frequently to play home matches. Football aficionados argue that this trend cannot make for stability in any club. Give the public an update on any moves to get Lobi a permanent home stadium.
Uja: The State Government is working assiduously to upgrade the two stadiums, that’s is McCarthy and Aper Aku Stadium, all In Makurdi.
The Chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club, Simon Terver Ikya, on his part, is putting in measures to ensure that Lobi Stars return to Makurdi.
If you visit McCarthy Stadium,Wadata, Makurdi, he has done a lot of work on the stadium.
After the completion of McCarthy Stadium, which I hope is before the start of the second stanza of the NNL, Lobi Stars will return home to Makurdi.
People&Politics: The club has endured bad press over the years due to sordid goings-on within its ranks. As Media Director now, how do you hope to turn this negative perception around?
Uja: What you called bad press is the handwork of few which I won’t bother myself discussing.
But you can see since Simon Terver Ikya, a consummate football manager, took over, what you call bad press no longer exists.
People&Politics: Now, let’s turn to the controversy of players’ and staff poor welfare. It’s also being another very contentious issue in Lobi. Comment on any moves to halt this slide.
Uja: I can tell you that there’s nothing like poor welfare here. Who told you that? Lobi Stars is the best club in Nigeria; forget the fact they have gone on relegation. Benue State Government, who are the owners of the club, under Governor Hyacinth Alia, has placed the club under first-line charge. Salaries, match bonuses are paid timely.
I challenge you, if anyone is talking of poor welfare, to come out boldly and say “Lobi Stars is owing” him.
The Chairman, Terver Simon Ikya, is not owing any player and there is nothing like poor welfare.
People&Politics: Lobi’s record is carved in gold as being the first winners of the NPFL when it was inaugurated in the 1998/99 season. Though the club is presently relegated, how soon can it be back to NPFL, given you’re going through a period of transition now?
Uja: The Chairman of the club, Terver Simon Ikya, is doing, and has done everything possible best to return the club to NPFL. This is an ongoing process. The desire of our teeming fans is to return to top flight football. This is a gradual process and the management, staff and players know what is at stake. The campaign to go top is on; this I can tell you: that our eyes are on the top.
People&Politics: Finally, through our national and global platform, one last word for Lobi fans around the world.
Uja: I want to appeal to our teeming fans to continue to support and pray for Lobi Stars.
I want to thank Governor Hyacinth Alia for the massive support he has continued to give to Lobi Stars, despite there being other critical sectors which equally need attention.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Uja.
