Before the commencement of the Nigeria National League (NNL) some months ago, the massages from every angles of the state to the management, technical crew and the players of Kano Pillars Football Club were either “please, return Kano Pillars to Premier League” or “take Kano Pillars back to Premier league”.
Happily, both the Kabiru Baita’s led management, the officials and the players of the then Kano Pillars FC put in their best and won almost all their group matches which gave them the opportunity to top the group convincingly and advanced to the next level.
And when the mantle of the state leadership was changed after the General Elections few months ago which saw the NNPP’s Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf as the new Governor of the state, it also affected the club as the new Interim Management Committee headed by Babangida Little was reconstituted thereby replacing the Kabiru Baita’s led interim management.
The messages to the Babangida’s Interim Committee from all angles too before their departure to Asaba, the capital of Delta state for the NNL Super Eight were the same, “please, return Pillars to Premier League” or “take Kano Pillars back to Premier league”.
Fortunately, the Babangida Little led management, players and the officials did all they can and triumph which saw them leading their group that also qualified them to meet the leader of the other group in the finals.
Sadly, Kano Pillars lost 2-0 in the hands of Heartland FC of Owerri, Imo state in the finals of the Super Eight. But the defeat did not stop them from getting the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) ticket. They only lost the trophy.
Frankly speaking, when the victorious Kano Pillars returned home with the NPFL ticket, I expected them to be treated like kings because of the glory they carried back to the state.
For sure they have successfully effected the errand they were told to before their trip to Delta state and for this, I expected them to be celebrated for returning Kano Pillars to the premier football league in the country.
Alas, what greeted their return to Kano state after their victory in Delta were sad stories which to me were cooked to axe some people whose presence in the team were not needed.
Firstly, it was the story of sabotage which made the management to constitute a three man committee to investigate why the team lost its final match to Heartland FC.
Secondly, the sacking or disengagement of the coach and some of his assistants from the club despite their superlative work in the group stage and the Super Eight.
Lastly, the distribution of letters of commendations to some officials and some members of the club’s technical crew for a job well-done.
Unfortunately, instead of the Babangida Little led committee to focus and concentrate on how to organize a big thank you reception to the players and their coaches for what they did in Delta, they started thinking of securing the services of a new manager of the club.
Even though I don’t have any grievances with securing the services of Coach Maikaba for Kano Pillars, courtesy demands showing reverence and admiration for the person(s) whose efforts and contributions put smiles to your faces.
Without any thank you or appreciation to the technical crew that brought the team to premier league, they signed the former Enugu Rangers International Football Club coach, Abdu Maikaba as the new manager.
Then they went ahead signing-on new players to beef the team in readiness for the new football season.
To me, that was not what the team needed then. The entire players and their officials need to be hosted and honored.
The Interim Committee did nothing to show appreciation to the coaches and players for what they did a few weeks or months ago. I waited patiently to hear what Babangida Little’s committee will do or is doing as a thank you to all the players and their officials but sadly nothing, nothing.
And only last weekend, the Interim Management Committee (IMC), the organizers of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has confirmed that the 2023-2024 league will commence in August this year.
And according to the league body, the NPFL will commence on the weekend of August 26 and 27, 2023 and it will not be run in an abridged mode like last season but on a full season where all teams will meet with one another.
Recall that Kano Pillars FC along with Heartland FC of Owerri, Imo state, Katsina United FC and Sporting of Lagos has returned to the premier league due to their superlative show in Asaba, Delta state.
Now my question is, how did the club’s management, other stakeholders or the entire Kano Pillars FC supporters expect the best from these players and their coaches?
Remember that the players were charged to return Kano Pillars to the premier division which they did. These players together with their coaches then should be celebrated.
Not only that, they should be allowed to have a hand shake with the state’s number one citizen, the governor of Kano state, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf. I am sure we all know what it means to have a handshake with the governor.
A handshake with a governor means a lot of things.
It will take the governor to visit the club’s camp or training or secretariat site for thank you to all.
The governor during his visit should openly show his appreciation to players, technical crew, management and fans for a job well done on behalf of the state.
During that visit, the governor should present a token amount, houses, lands, cars etc to players and officials as a gift for a job well done.
The governor should make more promises of goodies to the team for future victories.
His Excellency should also find out from the players whether there is (are) any problem(s) or unfulfilled promises made to the team before.
He should further assure the team of the government support to the club always or when the need arises.
Urged the players’ dedication, commitment and transparency from the officials.
And finally tasks them to always be good ambassadors of the state.
But if the above mentioned are not going to be possible due to the governor’s unending schedules, a dinner or lunch should be organized with them to show the states’ happiness and appreciation with their performance.
All these are aimed to boost the morale of the players and their officials so that they can go for more laurels for the states.
I was reliably told that the Imo state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma had already hosted and honored the Heartland Football Club of Owerri since.
The governor has feted the players and management staff of Heartland Football Club of Imo State for emerging double champions in the recent Nigerian National League (NNL)and also getting promoted to the Nigeria Premier Federation League.
In a show of appreciation for their performance, the Governor announced a donation of N100 million for the players and their managers.
During a dinner party in Owerri, Governor Uzodimma told the players and their officials that: “My heart is full of joy for receiving all of you this evening with a double barrel of honors.”
The governor urged them to continue to work hard and become a continental champions.
Honestly, this is the kind of arrangement I expected for Kano Pillars players and officials. They deserved governors’ largesse for their efforts. That is what we call motivation and I am sure if something of this nature is done, the players will be pleased, satisfied and work hard for more crowns in future.
For sure if something of this nature is done or put in place, it serve as a morale booster which will equally make them repeat the NNL feat which will see them either winning the NPFL title or securing one of the CAF tickets at the end of the season.
Allah ya bamu saa, ameen.