Governor Nyesom Wike is the real Nollywood Mr. Demolition Man. He did not start with hotels in Eleme. Sharks, the first soccer club fully owned by the Rivers State government ceased to exist in 2016 thanks to the man who wields the big stick, call him the Cowboy Governor.
When Wike assumed office in May 2015, the Blue Angels were a shadow of themselves because the Rotimi Amaechi administration did not spend as much as the Peter Odili government before it. Players were owed wages and the NFF was going to descend on Sharks as well as sister club, Dolphins. The new governor settled all outstanding bills and gave both clubs a breather.
At the end of the 2016 season, Sharks got drowned in the Nigerian Premier League and were relegated. Mr. Governor could not take that. The two clubs were disbanded and a new one emerged. Wike and his commissioner for sports, Boma Iyaye, found a name for the new outfit -Rivers United. That kind of name is quite Nigerian. You have Plateau United, Nasarawa United, Gombe United and in the past there were Bendel United and Udoji United.
And just like Wike demolished two hotels in his state within a space of 24 hours, he had done something similar when he deleted Sharks and Dolphins from the ocean of soccer before anyone could shout Monday Sinclair.
Sharks meant so much to the people of Rivers State. It was a team that never won any major title within the country but earned an international trophy, the only cup won by the state in soccer beyond Nigeria. The Blue Angels lifted the WAFU Cup in 2010. That was about thirty years after losing in the grand finale to AS Police of Senegal. The loss was more painful because one of their coaches, Carl ‘Gentleman’ O’Dwyer, also lost his life in a traffic accident during the campaign.
Formed in 1972, pioneers of the club came from different parts of the country. They included John Apollo, Bernard Ndor, Hansen Saki, Ebenezer Badja, Edwin Amadi Nwokocha and Chu Spiff ‘Araba’. Sunday Ozogula, better known as ‘Baba Sala’ was there too. Many remember his more popular younger brother, Samson, who chose the nickname ‘Zion Train’.
There were names like John Igwe, Dominic Abua ‘Ekeobi’ and Ahmadu Leftie ‘Butcher’. More players joined-Jossy Dombraye, Morton Owollo, Sidney Ugorji, Okey Nwaiwu and Eugene Ohuabunwa played their part. That was also the team of Baras Orugbani, Million Nicholas, Joe Nattey, Beneth Okuru, Raymond Quacopome, Tottey Okoro Tottey, Emmanuel Yellowe and Rowland Orufe
We all remember Eson Osagie Fubara Owonaro, Sunny Isoekwina, George Datoru, David Ngodigha and Kennedy Boboye, the man who led Plateau United to win the Premier League for the first time since their controversial triumph in 1972. Fortune Chukwudi was captain of the Golden Eaglets squad that won silver at the Nigeria ‘2009 FIFA Under 17 Championships. George Abbey, Justice Christopher and Juwon Oshaniwa , played for the Super Eagles.
The best players to have come out of Sharks are the trio of Adokiye Amiesimaka, Richard Owubokiri and Finidi George. It is safe to say that the Blue Angels produced the first Nigerian to win the Toyota World Clubs Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the European Super Cup. Finidi shares this feat wit Nwankwo Kanu following memorable moments with Dutch side Ajax in 1995.
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Owubokiri remains the first Nigerian to play top flight in Brazil [ America and Victoria de Bahia] win the Golden Boot in Portugal [Boavista] and emerge as highest scorer in Asia. Ricky once scored six goals in a game [Boavista versus Atletico Roachas] in 1989. The Portuguese Cup match ended 14-1. In one season, he scored close to 60 goals and in his entire career, hit 423 goals.
Amiesimaka, joined Sharks from Enugu Rangers. He grew up in Lagos playing for CMS Grammar School, ‘The Bariga Bombers’. Like Owubokiri he also played for Lagos Rangers, African Continental Bank [ACB]. A Law graduate of the University of Lagos, Adokiye became Chief Justice, courtesy of legendary commentator, Ernest Okonkwo. After winning the Nations Cup with Nigeria, he could not lift the WAFU Cup with Enugu Rangers in 1979.AS Police of Senegal punctured that dream. The same team also did the same thing to Sharks in 1980.
But Adokiye soared higher. He was a presenter with Radio Rivers Two FM, Solicitor General of Rivers State, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General and above all, Chairman of Sharks Football club. He also has a stadium named after him in Port Harcourt just like the club Sharks.
Wike did not consider all these. Perhaps someone could have reminded him that Shooting Stars have gone on relegation more than once. Bendel Insurance also suffered the same fate. Heartland went that way too. The only Premier League team that has not left the luxury ladder is based in Enugu. Call out the Flying Antelopes.
To be fair to the governor, Sharks could also be described as perennial under achievers. They neither won the Challenge Cup nor the Premier League title. Three times, the Blue Angels played in the Challenge Cup grand finale, thrice they lost. In 1979, Sharks lost to Shooting Stars. In 2003, they slumped to Lobi Stars. In 2009, Enyimba defeated them.
The 2009loss to Enyimba was a shocker. Sharks did not lose any game until the grand finale. In the Round of 62, the Garden City Boys beat Arewa Pillars 2-1; In the Round of 32, Gateway fell 2-0. In their Abeokuta Group B matches, Bayelsa, Bussdor and Akwa United were crushed. Nasarawa lost in the quarter finals just like Lobi did in the semis. And Sharks coach was Kadiri Ikhana ,who led Enyimba to continental victory in 2003.
Dolphins were founded in 1988 as Eagle Cement. The change of name came in 2001. Yet the younger side won the Challenge Cup four times [2001,2004,2006 and 2007] and the Premier League thrice [1997, 2004 and 2011.]
The first great team from Port Harcourt bore the name Red Devils or Pitakwa All Stars. That team also lifted the Challenge Cup three times [1954’1958 and 1963]. That was the Port Harcourt of Albert Onyeanwuna, John Onyeador, Elkanah Onyeali, Walter Okala [Emma Okala’s uncle], Olu Onagoruwa, Jonathan Nwaiwu, Francis Uwalaka and Chris Ohiri.
I do not see Governor Wike demolishing Sharks Stadium or Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium. Just pray the Chief Justice does not contravene any law made in Rivers. As an Okrika chief, we do not expect another scene around Okrika waterside. Then the Transport minister might come into the picture through NIMASA.