It is cringeworthy to note, with every sense of disappoinment, the ‘watery statement’ issued by the management of Lobi Stars on the recent interview granted by one of Nigeria’s foremost retired goal poacher and astute administrator, Dominic Iorfa.
For context, the club issued a 7-point ‘watery statement’ urging members of the public to disregard the facts stated by the Ex-International on the woes that bedeviled the team in the 2024/2025 football season.
1: “On Alleged Relegation and Begging”
During Iorfa’s tenure as Vice-Chairman of Lobi Stars, he spearheaded the team to unprecedented heights – led the team to the NPFL Super Six finish in the 2023/2024 season, brought stability to the team through reforms and innovations, hired a grassroots coach that accentuated free-flowing and enjoyable game and more importantly, embarked on massive talent discovery across the nooks and crannies of Benue State. It is saddening to see how the current leadership will fail to take responsibility and accountability for leading the illustrious Nigeria clubside to relegation.
On the term ‘begging’, Iorfa has always insisted that the progress and development of Benue State and by extension, Lobi Stars, is his priority. His doors of engagement remain open for any leader, who wish to build and not destroy. So, it’s laughable to read that Iorfa asked the team to ‘beg’ him before he extends his leadership expertise.
2: “On Dr. Philip Nongu’s Competence”
When the former international addressed him as ‘secretary’, it was not targeted at ridiculing him but to state the obvious. On the issue of ‘competence’, it is unfair to ascribe him as competent when the results say otherwise. Administratively, the current leadership failed the people of Benue State and shouldn’t attempt to paint itself as competent.
3: “On The Bendel Insurance Match”
After the unceremonious dismissal of Iorfa, the Ex International left the team in safe hands to continue in the trajectory of progress and development. Sadly, the sheer incompetence of the management failed to utilize the structures he left on ground, allowing the team to sink into the mulky waters of relegation.
4: “On Undermining from Within”
Like it was rightly stated earlier in this rebuttal, failure of the current management of Lobi Stars to take responsibility for the club’s woes is deeply unacceptable in all ramifications. The Ex International, who is well-respected in the country and beyond, moved on to personal projects. Hence, ascribing the team’s incompetence to Iorfa is, quite frankly, laughable.
5: “On Unpaid Salaries and Evasion of Questions”
Administratively, the Ex International, who served as Vice Chairman, had limits to the discharge of his duties. One would have expected the current management of Lobi Stars to channel their grievances to the Chairman of the Club, who in the club’s organogram is the Deputy Governor of Benue State.
The former international addressed the issues of unpaid salaries without mincing words during the course of the interview.
6: “On Government Support”
Like he rightly addressed during the course of the interview, which are verifiable facts, Iorfa cleared the air on the backlog of owed salaries and the failure of the state government to provide the needed support.
Also, the club management failed to address the concerns raised by Iorfa when the governor reportedly gave them N100 million to recruit players and coaches enroute the club’s relegation. Does that mean that the funds went into the whirlwind?
7: “A Final Word on Legacy”
The renowned astute administrator has proved his mettle as far as football administration is concerned and as such, has every right to boast his achievements during his stint with the club.
For emphasis, he met the team during their dark days in battling for survival, rejuvenated the team to stardom, thus becoming the Pride of Benue.
And of course, he brought in a great tactician from the grassroots, who led the team to enviable heights, scouted and promoted youngsters from the grassroots level to the main team.
Interestingly, there wasn’t any need for the response from the club’s management on Iorfa’s interview, rather, their energy should be channeled at restoring the lost glory of the club.
In conclusion, the current management of Lobi Stars, should as a matter of fact take full responsibility. If a club administrator must lead, let him do so with wisdom, facts and integrity.
~ From a Concerned Football Enthusiast
