I was at the departure lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, September 1, this year, when a middle aged man walked up to me and greeted me reverently.

“Sir, I am Godfrey Gaya” he introduced himself very humbly, and added “Member of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports”.

Someone later offered the information that the young man would likely be voted in as the Chairman of the Committee.

We ran into each other at the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique and I was not surprised that he eventually became the Sport Committee Chairman of the House of Representatives. But his performance as the Chairman has not been impressive.

He believes his duty is to embarrass the National Sports Commission and the leadership.

No. As a lawmaker he should make laws that will enhance Nigeria’s sports development, and not dabble into areas reserved for the executive’s arm of government.

However it is heartwarming that more and more Nigerian sports administrators are becoming more forthcoming in their contribution, like Chief Oyuki Obaseki, former Chairman, Nigerian Premier League. He has called Hon. Gaya to order.

As reported by SportsDay last Thursday, Obaseki “lampooned the Chairman of the House of representatives over what he termed unguided statements in the media. Obaseki warned that Gaya’s pronouncement is capable of causing disaffection in sports.

Accusing Gaya of having been compromised, Obaseki said: “Gaya has been speaking from both edges of his mouth because he has been taking estacode from the National Sports Commission who took him to Maputo, the NFF who took him to Morocco while he also take (sic) estacode from the House. Such people can’t contribute anything to the development of football in Nigeria because he’s biased already.’’

Another member of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Honourable Muhammed Wudil from Kano, has identified the Presidency as the source of Nigeria’s poor sports performance.

He attributed the problem of Nigerian sports to the inability of the Presidency to appoint a competent professional as the Minister of sports, adding that as long as novices continue to occupy the position, Nigerian sports would continue to be in the quagmire.

According to the SoccerStar of last Wednesday, Wudil said: “Another area is inconsistency in the appointment of sports Ministers. It is too bad that we change the sports Minister almost every six months. The incessant change of Ministers has made it impossible for us to institutionalise continuity. President Goodluck Jonathan is an apostle of continuity. Yet, we kept changing sports ministers. Sporting activities are very key aspects of this country that we need a good professional to handle. You cannot be a Minister of Justice if you are not a lawyer”.

I guess Hon. Wudil has said it all and all I will add is to excite your memory with the list of those who have headed Nigerian sports ministry either as Minister, or Chairman NSC from 1960 till date.

1960-1983: Chief J.M. Johnson, Chief Akin-Deko, Col. Mike Okwechime, Brigadier Henry Adefope, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Col. Olutoye, Chief Isokrari, Chief Paulinus Amadike, Chief Bisi Ogedengbe, Alhaji Buba Ahmed, Dr. Benneth Birabi.

1984-1994 – Group Captain Emeka Omeruah, Col. Abdulai, Air Commodore Bayo Lawal, Alabo Graham Douglas, Group Captain Anthony Ikazoboh, Major General Y.Y. Kure, Chief Alex Akinyele, Chief S. O. Akinwunmi,

1994 – 2011 – Chief Sola Rhodes (SAN), Chief Jim Nwobodo, Commodore Emeka Omeruah (second coming), Damishi Sango, Eng. Mark Aku, Steven Ibn Akiga, Col. Musa Mohammed, Dr. Sumaila Sambawa, Mallam Bala Ka’oje, Alhaji Gimba, Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, Alhaji Ibrahim Bio, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, Alhaji Bolaji Abdulahi who is the substantive Minister of Youth Development.

From independence till date, 51 years, Nigeria have had 34 Sports Ministers and only ONE, Professor Taoheed Adedoja has relevant professional qualification and experience in sports.

What Hon. Wudil is saying, which many of us have been harping on for decades, is that we should put round pegs in round hole.

As you are enjoying your Xmas turkey, find time to score each of the sports Ministers, from JM Johnson to the incumbent and text it to me for publication. Let me share a joke with you. I asked my friend and younger colleague, Toyin Ibitoye in what capacity is Alhaji Bolaji Abdulahi operating in the sports Ministry/NSC.

He said he is to oversee the Ministry. So he is now the Overseer, just like Pastor Adeboye. Praise the Lord. Merry Xmas.