Tinubu Must Hear This: The Bash Ali Quest For National Pride

By

Moji Danisa

Nigeria is a peculiar story. Everybody is a saint. Everybody goes to church or mosque. Everyone cries about corruption. Everyone becomes a writer when someone is busted for a fraudulent act. Just about everyone… I look around and ask myself, if everyone is honorable, where are the criminals? If everyone is virtuous, who is doing all these things?

I’ve pondered these questions several times…in my room, while lying down, when I’m eating, even in the bathroom. Have you all noticed that every time we write something positive about Nigeria, these “holy” Nigerians are the first to condemn a country they wish would one day magically become like China, Thailand, Taiwan… Let’s forget about Europe for now; comparisons should be made on fair grounds.

Anyway, we all eagerly anticipated and actually paid for our subscriptions to watch the Mike Tyson vs. Paul Jake fight. We all found it worthwhile that Mike Tyson, one of the greatest fighters of all time, would step into the ring again. Someone staged and fixed that match, you know. He didn’t beg or break down doors to make it happen. The promoter easily got huge endorsements from stakeholders. It’s sports, but it’s also called the business of sports, crowned by the money-churning show business.

As we celebrated the success of that historic match, we conveniently forgot that we have a world champion who has, for about two decades, been fighting for a Guinness World Record-breaking bout. All he needed was a seal from the Nigerian government. In Nigeria, anything with that seal from the presidency opens all doors, and moreover, the glory would belong to Nigeria and Nigerians.

The Federal Government of Nigeria understood this at all levels and has given support at different times. Our presidents, since Obasanjo, have always shown interest in hosting this historic event in Nigeria. On three occasions – November 9, 2006, January 7, 2014, and May 21, 2019 – the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee was inaugurated. The office of the Chief of Staff to the President represented the presidency, while the offices of the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives represented the legislature. The private sector was expected to fund the event, while the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Sports, would provide an enabling environment for a successful show.

As I have stated earlier, financial involvement was not required from the Federal Government…not even one kobo. Sadly, despite these three inaugurations and the representatives of the Federal Government in the Local Organizing Committee, the historic event has yet to come to fruition because of corruption. The same corruption every single Nigerian cries about. Is corruption a spirit, or is it a Nigerian, really?

Fortunately, the legend, Bash Ali, has not given up. I remember a close friend of mine calling me and telling me to please advise the champ, since he thought we were close because he sees Bash Ali on my wall. He wanted me to suggest that Bash Ali has promoters in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, eager to drop as much as $8 million for the fight. My response was: “Well, we aren’t that close, and I know how obstinate the champ is about hosting that fight in Nigeria. I’ll try to reach him with your suggestions, but what makes you think he will listen to me when he didn’t listen to you, someone who has worked closely with him?” I simply respected myself and never broached the subject. I believe Bash Ali is reading this for the first time today. Who says I don’t like dollars, but when you know the answer before you ask the question, respect yourself.

Heartwarming, though, is the news that President Bola Tinubu has come on board with the renewed hope agenda. Nigeria and the world now understand the project and the burden Bash Ali has carried for two decades. Having witnessed the Mike Tyson fight, they are now looking forward to our own legend, Bash Ali, to rewrite boxing history in Nigeria and earn a place in the Guinness World Record Book as the oldest boxer to ever defend and fight for a world boxing championship.

Beyond money, there is the prestige of a nation—boosting national pride, patriotism, and positivity, putting Nigeria right at the top of world trends and in the World Boxing Hall of Fame. The world is watching. We can do it, you know.