Weah, Mboma, Okocha, Domoraud and Milla Play for Peace in Liberia

Liberia was the home of some of Africa's most troublesome wars years ago; the wars took the lives of thousands and paralised all activities in the West African nation. Two bloody wars were fought almost concurrently spilling over into Sierra Leone. Charles Taylor, who was the arrow-head of the wars is facing trial at the Hague.

The First Liberian Civil War was an internal conflict in Liberia from 1989 until 1996. The conflict killed over 200,000 people and eventually led to the involvement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and of the United Nations. The peace did not last long, and in 1999 the Second Liberian Civil War broke out.

After the exit of Charles Taylor and election conducted in which Nigeria under President Olusegun Obasanjo played a crucial role in seeing to its peaceful outcome and resolution of all grievances, George Weah who also contested but lost controversially to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became a peace ambassador of Liberia.

Weah, who was recently chosen to be Liberia’s Peace Ambassador, invited Cameroonians Roger Milla and Patrick Mboma, JJ Okocha of Nigeria and Cyril Domoraud of Ivory Coast for a glittering exhibition match in the capital Monrovia on Saturday.

“I know my job is very difficult but I want you all… to join me in sending the message of peace to our people. My appeal to you all is to help me achieve peace,” Weah said as he launched a campaign for post-war reconcilation.

Thousands of Liberians enjoyed a display of skill put on by the veterans before Weah presented his Ballon d’Or — which he was awarded for being European Footballer of the Year in 1995 — to the people of Liberia.

Deep psychological and physical wounds remain in Liberia after two back-to-back civil wars which ran from 1989 to 2003 and left a quarter of a million people dead. His major mission is to bring lasting peace back to his beloved country.

Nigeria: A Nation of Survival. Defeat of Cote D'Ivoire

                        

Nigeria has always pride itself as nation that dances on the cliff without falling. Over the years, the numerous morass and increase in militant and terrorists activities seem to have overidden this bias.

The defeat of Ivory Coast today shows the country is still on track as master of miracles of the cliff. The Super Eagles before the match has been written off and all pundits favoured Ivory Coast. Nigeria is to meet Mali in the Semi Finals.

In the end, someone will have to tell Emmanuel Eboue that the Claws of the Eagles are devastatingly sharp. They pierce into the eyes of the elephants.

Nigeria: A Known Ocean of Corruption

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.

Messi and Ronaldo: Lesson from the Ballon D'or

Messi is a player that inspires. His acts both on and off the pitch are awe-inspiring. Ronaldo on his own part plays good football like Messi but does not learn the art and master the act of humility. Messi said: 'I do not think of whether I'm the best in the world or not, I just enjoy what I do.' Christiano Ronaldo carries his shoulder up everytime. He brags a lot. He even demanded that he is treated like Messi in Real Madrid or he quits. Despite being a Madrid fan, I enjoy Messi's act of humility which has earned him the title of the greatest footballer in the world of all times.

Messi was offered a blank check in Manchester City when Roberto Mancini came on board to steer the ship but he refused. Almost at the same time Cristiano Ronaldo flew down to Madrid from Manchester United at a whooping sum of 80 million euros. Messi's action showed he is grateful to Barcelona for making him who he is, from childhood care to adulthood and the greatest in the world. Ronaldo on his own part 'jetted' to Real Madrid with the aim of competing with Messi and making a name in the Ballon D'or once again. A feat that has been elusive since then.

The same act of humility is the winning point of Messi over Mikel Obi of Nigeria. Mikel was congratulated by Josef Seph Blatter in 2005 after Nigeria's under-20 came second. Blatter said Mikel will one day be great but the pontification of Mikel did not let the prediction come to pass. Messi is a man to look up to all the time in every aspect and sector of  life. Humility wins all wars no matter how esoteric and complex