African
Cup of Nations began without the citizens of Nigeria having the
opportunity to locally watch any of the actions. This is a shame too
long to bear and condone. The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria
(BON) is responsible for the negotiation of broadcasting rights in
such an events and it went ahead to do that in the Cup of African
Nations but was shocked with the level at which LC2 was about to milk
Nigeria.
Ghana and South Africa as well as many African nations
paid $2 million dollars for their broadcasting rights but when it
came to Nigeria, the parade was changed. Rather than the usual flat
rate of $2 million dollars, $8 million dollars was demanded. The
greatest shock is the disparity in the amount. From 2 to 8, a
whooping difference of $6 million dollars. An amount that could lift
thousands out of poverty.
High Chief Raymond has done justice on the matter. If
not watching the Nations Cup will send a signal to many that Nigeria
cannot continue to be a land where every Tom, Dick and Harry come to
demand, get whatever they want and siphon funds at will, then so be
it. The next action of the government should be to investigate the
matter and know those behind the inflation.
Some Nigerians definitely will be behind the cost
inflation beyond standard. Those elements who wish to benefit from
scandals always. If no crack exist in the wall, the lizard will not
have a stadium inside the fence. Nigeria is expected to pay such a
huge amount which automatically amounts to a loss in a commercialised
deal that gain is meant to be accrued from. It is
not the fault of those who inflated the cost, they already know they
have accomplices and confederates in the ocean of corruption.
