For those who have been following his antecedents, it is obvious that he is a man on a mission. What many do not understand however, is his interest and involvement, in diverse issues. His dynamism and multi-tasking nature, has seen him come under serious scrutiny in many quarters. Many wonder what he is trying to achieve, considering his friendship with top politicians in the land. So, what really is his motive? Is he veering into politics, ultimately seeking political office?
Hear him: “Thank you for your resilience, being able to track me down for this interview. You know, we are all politicians. Everybody is a politician because that is what makes Nigeria go round. If you say you’re not a politician or you’re not into politics, then you can’t be in business; because even the smallest business transaction has a political motive.
However, I’m not in running for elective positions like the Senate, House of Reps or governorship. But I work with leaders; that is what I do, it’s my job,” he insists.
Is John Fashanu saying if he is offered a political appointment he would turn it down? “Well, if you’re appointed, which is very unlikely; because to be a Senator or an honourable, you have to vie for it, then that means that God has a hand in it. To attain some of these positions, you have to run for election and get democratically elected. If somebody appoints you a member of the Presidential Task Force, glory be to God. I was appointed a member of the Presidential Task Force in 2010. Working with President Goodluck Jonathan was great! It was wonderful! That was an appointment, nobody else had a say in it,” he says.
What if he’s offered appointed as a minister? “That would be fine. I’m at that level now. I’ve worked hard, I’ve travelled round the world, I’ve garnered enough experience, so if it comes, why not. Be that as it may, that is not really my position.” So, what really is his position? “Basically, I work with leaders and of course, when you’re in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, where the seat of government is; where the big action is, where the lights are flashing, that’s where you get noticed.
“The project I’m handling in Jos, which was commissioned last week by his Excellency, the Governor Jonah Jang and the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly is worth N5 billion. That of Abuja is a N10 billion project. You cannot get those contracts or get near those people unless you get close to the leaders,” he submitted.
So, it’s not about seeking position, but contributing quota to the overall well-being and development of the nation. “Well, you see, we’ve always been making contributions. You know, making a difference, changing people’s lives. There’s no point going back to all those charities we’ve been involved with and those things we’ve done for humanitarian reasons and as a result of my being an ambassador for the United Nations, UNICEF and all that.
“That’s all in the past. We’re moving forward now; we’re trying to change and affect people’s lives for the better. You can only do this if you have got one of two things - power or money. If you have both, then it’s a blessing. You need power or money to make things happen.”
Talking about these academies, it would do the people a whole lot of good if they had a clearer picture of their outlook and general disposition.
According to him, “the academy in Jos is a privately owned academy by companies, foundations; at no charge or cost to the state government. The one in Abuja is exactly the same, named: Goodluck/Fashanu International Sports Academy. We went, (my wife and I) to America and invited Mike Tyson to chair the boxing aspect, and the Williams’ Sisters to chair the tennis.
“My dear brother, Linford Christie, seven-time Olympics gold medallist, will be coming to chair the athletics side of things. Fashanu, Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, three of the international names in Nigeria, and I would say, the biggest, would oversee football. So, it’s an international project.
The one in Jos is meant for the people of Plateau State, same way that of Abuja is for those in the Federal Capital Territory and the surrounding states. Each one will have a capacity to host one thousand students each. Our aim is to help restore peace to Plateau State where there is anger, bitterness, confusion and killings; we’re out to resolve to restore what has been lost,” he says.
“The Speaker of the House made agreed that this is a very wonderful project and that were out to restore, rebuild and bring people together and I firmly believe that we’ll do just that. The governor, a fortnight ago, reinstated his commitment to seeing that the project was concluded before the end of his tenure in office; so you can see the trappings of what we’re doing. It is not political in any sense, but giving back and doing what we know best, having spent two decades in the world of sports and as a high profile media man,” he reinstated.
He didn’t mention the academy in kwara. “Oh yes, we’re just about taking over the running of the academy in Kwara State. If the government is paying N5m, N10m or N20m monthly to run the academy and they’ve been doing that for the last six years; that’s means it’s not working. Because an academy should be self-financing, that is why you they sell the youths like commodities. They don’t want to stay there for the rest of their lives.
“They want to go there as the first step in their educational pursuit, primary school, secondary school, the university and even higher. Our job is to bring in finance and ensure that the project self-financing. It amounts to taking away the burden from the state government. Kwara State is a very interesting project, the governor has been wonderful. He has done a great job, but I think now it’s time to take the load off his back.”
It was alleged that Fashanu accused Bob Minton and former President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), of stealing money and siphoning it out of Nigeria. It is also believed in some quarters that he has a personal score to settle with IBB. How does he react to this? Okay, you mean the 2007 debt buy back explosion. The accusations had nothing to do with his Excellency, ex-president Ibrahim Babangida. Babangida has been a personal, wonderful daddy to me for many, many years.
“When it was published in the papers that John Fashanu accused IBB of stealing, I felt bad because it was not true at all. Bob Minton was the person responsible for transferring billions of Nigerian money out of the country. It had to with the debt buy-back, we know that because the allegation has been proved and we have documents, if anyone cares to read. And as they are in certain high places now, nobody can refute that. However, to say that IBB was a thief and that he stole money, that is not true, totally incorrect,” he stated.
“The person who wrote the story was just a wonderful Nigerian journalist, who just added a little more of himself. When I read the story, I picked up the phone and humbly, apologised to his wife, the late Maryam, and then, His Excellency, for the misinformation.
He humbly and wonderfully accepted my apologies. I was was humbled in the end because of the way he accepted my apologies.” He continued.
“Then a few months later, I went to spend a day and have lunch with him. So, that was a story that made a wonderful headline - ‘John Fashanu accuses his good daddy, IBB of Stealing’, but it was absolutely incorrect. As for Bob Minton, I stand by what I said. I spent substantial amount of my money to investigate the matter because I had spare money then. Why? Because I wanted to find out the truth.”
Many remember too well his ambition to head the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), now Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). However, many were left bemused at the way and manner with which the whole episode turned out. Could he throw more light on this? “Yes, I came back to Nigeria and tried to become the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA).
“I believed I had something to offer and that I stood a very good chance of turning things round for the better. I spent N14m in the process; I didn’t ask for money from anyone and I knew I had done all that needed to be done and was sure that I stood a good chance to win.
Now, I have never told anyone this before now…so this is an exclusive information you’re privy are about to get from me.’’
“On the eve of the election, I was in my hotel room when I heard a knock on my door. I opened and “some powerful people” stepped in. They asked me to step down and discontinue with my ambition to become the chairman of the NFA. I thought of it and decided pull out. I asked who their choice was and they told me it was Alhaji Galadima. When Galadima became the chairman and he assured me that he would make me Chairman of Nigeria Football League,” he says.
“I tell you, his word is his bond. To this day, I have utmost respect for Galadima. He made me the Chairman of the League in the whole of Nigeria. When I eventually reported for work, they gave me a key to a room that didn’t exist. No car, no funds, no nothing, no ideas, all in a bid to discourage me. I could see there were too many terrible situations. Everything you asked met with refusal. I just decided to pack it up. I paid for my ticket to Nigeria from England, where I was still living then. It didn’t take me long to realise that this wasn’t working.”
Did they know he was still based in England? Could that have been a factor that worked against him? “Oh yes, they knew. Never for once, did I ask for my money to be paid back. They thought I should be living in Nigeria. But there were too many things that were happening that were enough to discourage me, a young man who was just coming in. It was a good experience for me though; I looked at Galadima, shook hands with him and told him this is not for me.
“I’ve been blessed, God has blessed me, I was a child star of football and I’ve travelled round the world three times and I didn’t want to be struggling at my young age with people who did not want to work with me, so I left. That was the end of my experience with the NFA. But what a wonderful experience it was for me, I enjoyed it and I have no regrets whatsoever. If the opportunity comes again, I will vie for the NFF chairmanship because I strongly advocate that ex-footballers should have preferential treatment when it comes running the NFF,” he concludes.
Football sure runs in his veins, doesn’t it? According to him, “I’ve been in football for over two decades, played over 2,000 matches, scored over 500 goals. So, I’m not a new boy, I’m a journey man. I was the first black man to buy a football club in the world – the name of the club is Barry Town in Ireland. The only black man to have, not only; fully and comprehensively bought a football club anywhere in the world but to have also run it for two years. The experience I had on the technical side was unprecedented. But coming back home, they say that’s not good enough- you’re no good.
“So, you end up doing something meaningless but since ideas rule the world, that is why we are doing what we’re doing with our sport academies; not football academies. Why I say that is that: To run a successful project in this country, you need international experience because our academies are reaching out to the international market. That is why I say football agents; all of them in this country are devils. Why? Because they eat your money and they eat your time, promising what they cannot do.’’
“Oh the boy is going to Russia! He’s going to Poland! He’s going to Holland! Four years later, the boy is still at home, sucking his mother’s breasts, he’s doing nothing and now, he’s 27. That cannot go on! That cannot go on in the western world. I’m not comparing the western world with what is happening here,.I’m just telling you the difference. I must tell you I prefer it here in my country. I have a choice, God gave me a choice. I could stay in my five-star palatial house in St. Johns Wood in London or I could come here and stay in my houses in Sun City or Asokoro- this is where my wife is, where my kids are; it’s where I’m relaxed.
“So, I have a choice, I’m lucky, that’s not being arrogant, it’s just a fact and I choose to be home. England was my base and I made it a very comfortable base. But now, I’m back home, and working so that everybody succeeds. I support what President Jonathan, because he’s been doing some wonderful things. I’m a very practical person but not a politician. That does not mean I don’t have a voice. I have a voice and I think I’ve earned my voice,” he enthuses.
The philanthropic and humanitarian role he played in restructuring the Zambian national soccer team after the ill-fated plane crash, which claimed 24 lives of both players and officials of the Chipoloplo; leading to the 1994 Nations Cup in Tunisia cannot be forgotten in a hurry. Would he like to throw light on the unfortunate incident?
“Oh! Wonderful support! Got them together, a new team, a new coach and then, we got to the quarter finals against Nigeria.” The Zambian team, against all odds, got to the final actually, before losing to Nigeria.
“Oh! My God! Final! They also scored first… (Cuts in) “You see, this is what we’re talking about here, humanitarian service. 24 people died in a plane crash. I used my money to bring people to Zambia, went to meet the president. He asked me to help them, assist them. Their national team had been wiped out! I didn’t take money from the Zambian government. I organised matches, travelled all over Zambia. I didn’t know they were going to do so well and get to the final. But if I chose the right team and they got to the final, you’re supposed to say, ‘well done, Fashanu’, he said.”
Perhaps, this why he is seen as someone whose allegiance is divided, right? “Of course not, this was something I did for God. I brought in a new coach. The team did so well and on top of that, some of the boys were in the team that went on to win the Cup of Nations in the 2012 edition. So, I’m proud of them.”
It sounds like the Ambassador still maintains a healthy relationship with the Zambians. He said: “Wonderful, healthy relationship. Recently in our church, about 300 Zambians turned up and the first thing they chorused was: ‘Look at John Fashsnu’. I’m happy that I did something. I didn’t steal money, didn’t take money, but I put my own money in. I didn’t do it because I wanted to be paid. I did it because I’m a humanitarian and I believe that what I did was right. I’m not a pastor, but I try to do what is right and I expect others to do the same to me.”
How is his relationship with Joseph Yobo, now that he is Adaeze’s (his wife) step-father? Well, do they get along? “Oh, Joseph Yobo is a great guy. Having been Super Eagles captain, and one of the highest capped players, and as an in-law...” He is the highest capped now. “Yes, he is a record breaker. He is a great guy and we really get on well. I am very proud.”
Could he comment on the Nigerian captain’s disagreement with the coach, Stephen Keshi? The coach is saying Yobo is no longer fit to play for the Super Eagles? Keshi never said Joseph Yobo is not good enough. What he said was that: ‘At this point in time, he doesn’t fit into the formation’. That is completely different.”
Being an ex-footballer, how would he interpret this statement? “It means he can still play whenever he fits in. But that is what the coach said. We are playing a 4-4-2, so may be that wonderful player doesn’t fit into the formation. He is still a great player.”
Is this similar to the fate he suffered when he came to play for Nigeria back then? “Thank you! Did anyone say I wasn’t a good player? They said you don’t fit in, Ambassador Fash. You are not playing the way we play and all our players are getting confused! When they kick the ball on the floor, you want it in the air. When you run to the right, they run to the left. But you are still a great player, son.”
So, is he refuting allegations that he turned down Nigeria when the nation needed him the most, preferring rather, to feature for the Three Lions of England. “That is not true at all. I paid my way down to Nigeria on several occasions and actually, trained with the senior national team but was never selected because my style was the robust, quick, fast-paced English football. You know, with quick dashes off the blocks, ball in the air, power-packed, shoves here and there… and it just didn’t fit in. The Nigerian style was the slow, build up type Brazilian football.
“The coach, Otto Gloria told me that I was good, but the players were confused with my style. I would be dashing towards the right and they would be running to the left. He advised me to go back and focus on my game in Europe. Even when Clemens Westerhof was in charge, I sent him letters and I know he got them because they were signed for. I was the second highest goal scorer in the Premier League and since Nigeria wasn’t forthcoming, England gave me a shot. Believe me; I had exhausted my options to feature for this great country.”
But the difference is that Yobo has been in the team. “This is different. Maybe as we won the Cup of Nations, Keshi wants to change the formation. Keshi wants to use younger players. He doesn’t want to use the older players – they have been successful, and he wants to introduce new blood.”
A lot of people are of the opinion that Keshi is unable to relate with big players. “Oh, if that was the case, he wouldn’t have won the Cup of Nations.” He did drop some big players, didn’t he? “But we won. That was the most important thing. He dropped players whom he perceived to be giving issues, challenges to the other players. He dropped one or two big players, but equally included other big players. What Keshi has been wonderful at, is merging local players with the international players.
“I tell you, that isn’t an easy challenge. Joseph Yobo is my in-law, and he is a wonderful person and as a football player, his record and performances would speak for him. I haven’t gone into the nitty-gritty, but you must have maximum respect for Joseph Yobo and Stephen Keshi. So, we don’t want a clash of the heads but to get in-between and resolve what challenge they are having. I am sure we would resolve it. As a member of the Presidential Task Force, I am sure we would be called very soon and I believe that they would resolve it themselves.”
Could Fash throw more light on the Presidential Task Force (PTF), and its activities? A lot of people are of the opinion that they are doing more harm than good and that they are only after the welfare of the Super Eagles; to the neglect of the other national football teams. Do they still exist? “Presidential Task Force was formed under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and there was a purpose for it, that is to support and assist the NFA.
“The NFA was having challenges just before the World Cup that involved the Super Eagles, no other team. We went to work and most people commended us, even though we lost and were kicked-out of the World Cup but we brought peace, understanding back to the NFA and the Super Eagles. They needed a bridge between the two organisations. Things were not working. We did that harmoniously. We raised N500m to build the new Glass House which is owned by the NFA. A lot of hard work went into raising money for that, so we achieved two feats.
“Our chairman, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi has just been so busy as Chairman of the Governors’ Forum. At the moment, things are working well. Nobody needs to change the Will if everything is going well. No one said it was a waste of money because we were the ones that raised the money. We have been able to erect a new NFF building – Glass House. It was raised by one organisation called the Presidential Task Force, led by Amaechi. He has done a wonderful job. He is very disciplined and strict. It has worked. We are quiet at the moment because there is no need to make noise,” he explains.
One aspect that generated a lot of controversy was when, many years ago, his brother, Justin, confessed to being gay and after a series of events, took his own life, by hanging himself. Fashanu’s daughter, Alana, who was doing a documentary on gay footballers in England some years ago, came across information suggesting that her dad had not stood by his late brother during the tough period, leading to his unfortunate demise, and was said to be unhappy with her dad. What is his take on all of these? “My daughter is my daughter and I love her. She is currently a model, presenter in the UK. My brother is my brother and I love him. Apart from that, I don’t comment on that.
For a man who comes across a lot people every day, what does he look out for in people? “I assess people’s characters. That is one thing I do with my football academy. You spend seven days in my house in Sun City where I evaluate your character. I have become very good at doing it. Evaluating character is one of the hardest things to do, but one of the most rewarding, because it gives you an idea when you help a footballer who would come as a beggar to your house with no finance at all, no parents and take him to one of the biggest clubs in the world and in six weeks, he wouldn’t take your calls again.
“Because I evaluate people, I know the ones who will do that and those who wouldn’t; which is very important. But because we always have ideas, our house is never empty – if it is not a Senator, it would be an Honourable, or any other important personality. They are always coming because we have ideas. My wife is a barrister. She has been in the bar for 20 years, so she’s no pushover. We work on all projects together. This confirms the old adage that: ‘Two heads being better than one’,” he says.
Does he have any dislikes? “You learn to take the good and the bad. I don’t like women who have harsh tongues. I don’t like violent men.” But you are into martial arts? “I am a martial arts man. I have been for 16 years.” What kind of martial arts? “Many. I studied for 16 years with Jackie Chan. I rose to the level of having three black belts, third degree. I am also a marksman; I trained with guns and I am a shooter, I love shooting since my days back in England.
“I like target shooting; not people (laughter), and I have worked with the Forces before. So, I have many sides to me. Not that I am a comedian. Look, Jesus Christ’s disciples were not all good people. Amongst those 12 disciples, we had murderers, rapists and other bad people; but He worked with them all. I am not saying I am Jesus Christ, but if Jesus Christ can work with them all, who is John Fashanu?” He submitted.
As one who had represented UNICEF for many years, he should be in a position to talk about the alleged case of child-trafficking/slavery involving former Nigerian international, Jonathan Akpoborie; whose vessel, MV Etireno, was alleged to have been involved in the unfortunate act over 12 years ago. The case seemed never to have been fully resolved. “I was UNICEF spokesperson and Ambassador for 15 years. I know about the case as much as I read in the papers. It would be very unfair to comment on the matter. But obviously, I feel for Jonathan Akpoborie. The news was devastating. The matter has to be rounded up and closed before he can move ahead in life. It is going to be a challenge in his life,” he concluded.
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