By Barnabas Manyam (In Yola, Adamawa state)
A sports enthusiasts and sponsor of Adamawa United football Club, Chief Emmanuel Zira, has cried out over the N28 million indebtedness the Adamawa State Government is owing him which he said was used for sponsoring the Adamawa United and Adamawa Queens football clubs.
Zira who has been sponsoring the two clubs since the time of former Governor Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow for which initial N10M was approved by the Governor to be released to him but up till now, the money is yet to be paid.
Chief Emmanuel Zira had rescued Adamawa United football club and Adamawa Queens on several occasions but he said it appears that his efforts have not been appreciated.
Sources at the club said Chief Emmanuel Zira has petitioned to the State House of Assembly, but after an ad-hoc investigative panel looked into the matter, he was exonerated and a team of auditors were drafted to under study the activities of Adamawa United Football Club under him but he was again exonerated of any wrong doing.
Zira has been crying to the State Government for his money to be released to him but it has met several hiccups in the office of the Governor.
Many people said Adamawa United have gone down from the league since the sports enthusiasts was removed abruptly and there no one else to sponsor them for internal or away matches as Government beaurucracy always delay the release of funds to enable the Club perform its activities.
Speaking in an interview with NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Newspaper, he said Adamawa United is now like an orphan since it has been abandoned and completely relegated from the league.
The Adamawa United football club which was doing well under him is said to have remained in limbo since his unceremonious removal due to hiccups in sports administration in the State.
Zira, therefore, appealed to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to look into his plight by releasing his money so that he would function normally.
He pointed out that Adamawa United can perform the needed magic if the state Government can listen to experienced sports enthusiasts or administrators like him to brighten the image of the club. NNL.
