*says enough of propaganda
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) on Tuesday, called on the Oyo State Government to improve the welfare and working condition of players and staff of the 3SC Football Club following its promotion to the nation’s premier league.
SPN in a statement by its Oyo State Secretary, Comrade Ayodeji Adigun said this can be be demonstrated through better and regular payment of their monthly salaries and allowances.
According to the party, “proper and adequate funding of the team under democratic control and management of a committee involving the representatives of players, coaches, other staffs and supporters’ of the team is urgently needed for a sustained repositioning of the club.”
” First and foremost, we of the SPN strongly believe that the credit for the laudable and long awaiting elevation of the 3SC, which will no doubt greatly help to revive the dying historical legacy and fan base of the club, goes to the poor players, coaches and entire members of the team who despite their precarious working conditions including poor and irregular pay were able to manage and fight for the return of the club to the Nigeria Premier League”, it said.
SPN added, “it must be stated that without the rare commitment, and determination exhibited by the players and other members of the team, it would have been very impossible for the team to secure its return into the premiership.,”
The Socialist Party of Nigeria, SPN, congratulates the players, coaches, supporters, and the other members of the 3SC football club popularly known as Shooting Stars for the recent elevation of the football club to the Nigeria premiership league after over 2 years of its relegation to the Second division largely owing to poor funding and misappropriation of even the meagre resources available for the running of the club. ” SPN calls on the Engr Seyi Makinde-led government to improve the welfare and working condition of players and staff including better and regular payment of their monthly salaries and allowances. This we believe is a crucial way to encourage better performance of the club at the premiership. Otherwise, the chances are high that the current elevation secured by the club will sooner or later suffer a reversal”.
The party stressed, ” this is not to downplay the importance of whatever support including all forms of motivation the Oyo State Government under the leadership of Engr Seyi Makinde must have given to the team. As a matter of fact, we acknowledge and welcome the Governor Seyi Makinde promise to reward the players and all other members of the team for the promotion and demand immediate fulfilment of the promises.
” However, beyond the fulfilment of the promise is the need for Engr Seyi Makinde-led government to realise that the best way to celebrate the promotion including the appreciation and commendation of the entire team members is for the regime to genuinely commit itself to genuinely repositioning the club.”
” This should include adequate and proper funding under the control and management of a democratic committee of the elected representatives of the players, staff and supporters with a view to ensuring that the welfare including the working condition of the entire team is given adequate attention.
This to us should be the priority of the Engr Seyi Makinde/PDP-led government following the club promotion, not just being preoccupied with turning the promotion into a tool of propaganda and cheap popularity as the regime and its town criers are currently doing.”
