The newly appointed Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has responded to critics who questioned his competence to lead, asserting that being a professional athlete is not a prerequisite for providing effective guidance in the sports domain.
Various stakeholders within the sector expressed astonishment at President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint the 57-year-old last Wednesday. They voiced concerns that Enoh, a farmer and politician, lacked any ties to the world of sports.
Enoh retorted, “I don’t believe that one must actively participate, such as being a footballer, to hold the position of Minister of Sports Development. I believe what’s essential is the capacity to offer leadership, to chart a course, to demonstrate transparency, and to comprehend this sector. Any appointee here will naturally strive to grasp this sector.”
He further emphasized that simply being a footballer does not automatically equate to being an effective leader in sports. “Even if I were a football player, my former schoolmates who are still in touch with me have reminded me of my playing days since my appointment. Yet, true leadership is not solely tied to that aspect. I could be that footballer and still lack the ability to lead. I doubt that’s what you’re seeking.”
Enoh also shared his lack of surprise that the media focused on his farming background. “When some individuals brought to my attention what was being circulated in the media – that I transitioned from being a farmer to the sports minister – I replied, ‘Well, my profile also mentions that I’m a politician, an educator, and a philanthropist.’ So, the media is at liberty to highlight farming and amplify it, right? However, I also pondered, ‘Aren’t they accurate?’ How well does the public truly know me in terms of the sports sector?”
He went on to state, “Therefore, it’s legitimate for them to report what they do. Nonetheless, now that I’ve taken my oath, the media will gradually uncover who I am. I hold the hope that this will serve a positive purpose, that together, we can effect meaningful change in this sector that captivates Nigerians,” added the politician hailing from Cross River state.
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