The Civil Society Network for Good Governance has defended the Ministry of Sports Development, under the leadership of Minister Senator John Owan Enoh, over the purchase of a brand-new Toyota Prado LC300 3.5L Twin Turbo Auto leather seat valued at N142.7 million.
The organisation said, contrary to the claims of financial irresponsibility, the purchase of operational vehicles for key ministry officials was fully budgeted for in the ministry’s 2024 approved budget, stating that due process was followed at every step, with no involvement of the minister in the bidding or procurement process.
Reports claimed that the luxury vehicle payment was made on July 8, 2024, to QLS Global Services Limited, the company responsible for supplying the vehicle. It was reported that an additional N7,137,137.36 was paid to the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) as a five per cent tax on the vehicle purchase.
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, was also said to have benefited from similar largesse.
But in a statement on Thursday, President of the Civil Society Network for Good Governance, Barr. Adefila Kamal, noted that the minister has been transparent in his operations and fully committed to developing Nigerian sports.
He said the purchase of the vehicles was necessary for the smooth functioning of the ministry, which, he argued, upon its separation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in 2023, faced significant logistical challenges, including a lack of operational vehicles for key officers.
“Senator Enoh, for months, relied on an old, malfunctioning vehicle, while the Permanent Secretary used her personal car for official duties. The vehicles purchased are not luxury acquisitions, as the article falsely suggested, but essential tools for the ministry’s efficient functioning,” Kamal stated.
Maintaining that attempts to drag the NFF into the narrative are completely baseless, Kamal clarified that the NFF operates independently, with its own budget and procurement processes, and there is no overlap with the Ministry of Sports Development in this regard.
He expressed concern that despite the minister’s openness and his efforts to reform Nigerian sports, certain groups and individuals continue to spread misinformation.
These attacks, according to him, are not only attempts to discredit Senator Enoh but are also part of a broader effort to undermine the Tinubu administration, which has made notable strides in various sectors, including sports development.
He said: “It is crucial to acknowledge the Honourable Minister’s commitment to transparency, especially in light of Nigeria’s underperformance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Senator Enoh was the first to publicly admit the country’s failure, describing the Olympic outing as a “disaster” and pledging immediate reforms to avert future disappointments. Unlike those who seek to discredit the government, the minister faced the issue head-on, admitting that Nigeria’s Olympic performance was the result of systemic issues within the sports sector that could not be fixed overnight.
“The minister inherited a ministry that had not even begun preparations for the Olympics when he took office in August 2023, less than a year before the games. Despite the short time frame, he and his team worked to provide financial support and streamline resources to federations with the best chances of qualifying for the Olympics. However, the issues went deeper than just preparation, as the federations themselves had prioritised qualification over proper athlete development.
“Rather than shying away from the challenge, Senator Enoh has laid out a clear plan for reforming Nigerian sports. He has called for a thorough review of how individuals are selected to lead the sports federations, ensuring that only capable and committed individuals take charge. The upcoming federation elections are a critical opportunity to reset the leadership and bring in fresh energy to revitalise the country’s sports sector.
“We urge the public to see these baseless allegations for what they are: a distraction from the positive reforms that are already underway.”
