" It's painful seeing retired footballers live in poverty " - Lawmaker admonishes players on life after football 

By Olusola Adebayo

Honorable Ekene Abubakar Adams has charged Super Eagles stars and their counterparts in the Nigerian domestic league to plan for life after their peak in football.

Honourable Adams, House of Representatives member on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State gave the charge during a dinner in his honhonor All Stars Football Club, Yelwa, Kaduna State Chapter.

The All Stars Football Club, Yelwa, is made up of all ex-footballers (veterans) of the beautiful round leather game, that are resident in the state.

In his thought-provoking speech, Honourable Adams while showering praises on Super Eagles winger, Simon Moses and other VIPs at the event said: "I want to express my delight in the honoring me with this dinner by the leadership and members of All Stars Football Club, Yelwa.

"I have seen it all in football, as a former player, club manager/owner and now a lawmaker in the Green Chamber, so I feel pained when I see players who made a career out of the round leather game, living in poverty after they retire.

"Many of such players during their peak in football were ignorant, had unnecessary egos, didn't invest wisely, let alone give back to society. Not knowing that, when you give to society, it will accept you with open arms when you come back.

"A few kind-hearted  Super Eagles stars like Moses Simon to mention a few are giving back to their society and I want other Nigerian players to emulate him in this regard.

"My new status as member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber, didn't come cheap, as I believed in it, struggled and worked hard to achieve it.

"Irrespective of that, my success is all geared towards giving back to society. I have not relented and will continue serving humanity as in the last one I have done a project worth N120 million with collecting a kobo from the government.

"However, it's sad that despite all the efforts I have put over the years in trying to make football an envy for all in Kaduna State, I am being crucified for no just cause.

"Many of you who toll that line are just being naive and used as tools by politicians who have no positive agenda for the development of football in Kaduna let alone Nigeria.

"For the fact that we don't share the same football ideologies, those crucifying me forget I have made more impact in football viz-a-viz empowering our youths in and out of Kaduna with KADA City Football Club.

"Many of you (internationals) didn't know that I coughed out N9.6 million monthly to players and staff of KADA City. 

"Without contributing anything to football development, they sit in their comfort zones trying to destroy the football ecosystem I have built in the state.

"For the game to reach it's highest pedals, we all must stop the blame game, throw away our different ideologies, and find common grounds to develop football in Kaduna and indeed Nigeria."