The appointment of a veteran football coach, Godwin Koko Uwua as Principal Special Assistant on Urban Development to the Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has attracted mixed reactions from football stakeholders in the state.
While some are of the opinion that there is nothing wrong with the appointment, the majority are of the strong view that the governor has erred by making such an appointment.
The former Flying Eagles coach who guided both Lobi Stars and Enyimba of Aba to their first league titles received his letter of appointment at a brief ceremony at the Government House, Makurdi on Tuesday.
While accepting the appointment, the former coach of Niger Tornadoes, Bendel Insurance and Akwa United FC said “It’s a call to duty and I pledge my allegiance to the development of Benue State. I promise to serve and discharge my responsibility with the fear of God.”
However, a retired referee and football administrator Harry Yachi took to his Facebook page where he wrote “Uwua’s appointment as a personal assistant on urban development is an insult to Benue football and Nigeria at large. It is done for selfish reasons and not for the interest of Benue State.
“Why not create something in football where he can be more useful to us than the urban stuff?. I condemn it.”
A former international, Tersoo Akile also condemned the appointment as he said “Power rotation is the problem and it’s already destroying the country. Even if someone is not qualified, since it’s their time, they must have it. Something must be done about this.”
Another former BCC Lions player and football manager, Igba Jija also said “I don’t think it is the right appointment for a reputable coach like Uwua. It will only make him a square peg in a round hole.
“He is no doubt a national figure in football.
“If the powers that run the football at the national level can’t use him, then the state can use him where he is an expert rather than giving him such an appointment. This is my candid view.”
Donaldo Yande Adzo, however, expressed a different opinion as he said “Allow the man to do his job, it doesn’t stop him from his football activities. Now that he has been out of a job, are you paying his bills?.
Lobi Stars Media Officer Austin Tyowua also said there is nothing wrong with Uwua accepting the appointment.
“He is not only a football coach. He is also a politician. I believe he was appointed based on his political clout,” he said.
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