Julius OkorieThe Nigerian Senate has demanded unreserved apology from the Libyan Government following the inhuman treatment of Super Eagles, as they landed in the North African country for the now botched AFCON qualifier hitherto billed for today in Benina.
The Senate in a matter of urgent national importance condemned the Libyan show of shame that exposed the Nigerian team to untold hardship for 14 hours at a seldom used Al Abraq airport.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrimebusiness.africa noted that the issue came up for discussion following a point of order raised by Senator Sumaila Kawu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, who invoked Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules for a personal explanation. The Red Chamber however chose to treat the matter under rules of personal explanation as Nigeria as big brother avoids diplomatic row with sister countries.
In his comments, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North, who presided over the session, denounced the treatment of the Super Eagles in Libya, describing it as unacceptable and contrary to the principles of sports.
Jibrin emphasised that the purpose of sports is to foster unity, competition, and camaraderie among nations on the continent.
He said: “The matter was brought under Personal Explanation by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South).
“What happened to the Super Eagles in Libya is not in tandem with the spirit of sports. The essence of sports is to promote unity and competition and enhance brotherhood among the countries on the continent. The way our players are treated is terrible and condemnable.
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“Fortunately, you (Kawu) have come through a personal explanation, and this is what we intended it to do because we don’t want a diplomatic row; we think this is a mistake that the Libyan should be given a chance to correct and apologise to the Nigerian government.
“Nigeria is a big country in Africa. We always lead in terms of diplomacy, friendship and everything. Based on that spirit, I am sure you decided that this matter should be treated this way so we can give their leaders a chance to apologise to our national team.
“So, we call on the ambassador and whoever is concerned and the authorities to come out and apologise for what they have done to our national team.
“So, I thank the Chairman of the Sports Committee. You have done very well, and it is good that you have brought forth this matter. You have shown that you are up and doing in terms of your duties.”
The however called for thorough investigation into the ugly event which the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already refereed to its disciplinary Board for action.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
