Worrisome Silence of Kojo Williams

One of the leading lights of sports administration in Nigeria Kojo Williams, must truly be very upset with what is going on in the sports scene, to the extent that he has completely disassociated himself and refused to be persuaded to comment on it at all.

Perhaps, one of the most colourful characters who ever led the Nigerian FA, Kojo was very much respected by journalists and was known in the larger society as a fun-loving, bigspending party animal who also loved to dress well.The media found in him an acquaintance, a major ally and an interviewer’s delight.

But all of these appeared to change when he became a staunch worshipper with the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Like his commitment to everything else, Kojo threw himself into the administration of the church. His commitment was noticed by the top echelon as he became an important partner supporting all of the mission’s major programmes like the monthly Holy Ghost Congress. As his involvement in church activities got deeper, he distanced himself from sports. He would sooner go for a session in church than watch a soccer match. Although he had returned to his catholic church, Kojo till date has remained steadfast in his spiritual growth. Kojo who was one of those Nigerians who had a place of prominence at global sporting events like the World Cup, the Wimbledon and the Olympics suddenly dropped out completely.

To make it more dramatic and worrisome, his withdrawal was not gradual. It happened abruptly. Although it’s been a couple of years since Kojo kept his distance from sports, many thought he would be lured back by availability of opening at FIFA. Perhaps Kojo would have been one candidate all sports loving Nigerians could rally round his candidature, but alas he has decided to keep quiet.