by Cheta Nwanze

….we must point out that NEPA’s inability to supply power during a critical time such as the World Cup is symptomatic of the lack of what I will call emotional intelligence on the part of officials in this, err, geographical expression.

At 4 pm on June 21, 1994, staff at the Ugbowo office of the NEPA in Benin City were treated to a rude shock. Tens of boys from the BDPA Estate a few kilometres away, had come to “rise” them from their office. You see, BDPA’s transformer had not been working for a wee while, and there was this small matter of a match between Nigeria and Bulgaria, to kick of our first ever World Cup campaign. The boys weren’t amused at the prospect of missing such a monumental game (we won 3-0), and something had to be done. Their action brought about the repair of that transformer, and they watched the game, and celebrated those goals by Rashidi Yekini (RIP), Dan Amokachi and Emma Amuneke quite happily. Forward the hands of the clock 20 years (Nigeria will play another East European nation, Bosnia, 20 years to the day since our World Cup début), and another set of angry boys, this time in Port Harcourt, have attacked NEPA again. For the same reason.

However, we must point out that NEPA’s inability to supply power during a critical time such as the World Cup is symptomatic of the lack of what I will call emotional intelligence on the part of officials in this, err, geographical expression. People are unhappy in their day-to-day lives, something comes along that will serve as an escape channel, and rather than seize on it, you ignore, or worse, find a way to foul it up. And you expect people not to react? It’s kind of like failing to prevent a petrol scarcity during the World Cup, and expecting people not to seize on this nice manna from heaven excuse. “Oga, I no fit come office o. Fuel no dey.” Oops! Someone is failing to prevent a petrol scarcity. Our poor economy!

Bits and Bobs
As the days fall off the calendar regarding the Chibok babes, assorted Prezes and former Prezes are becoming embroiled in a pissing contest over who wants to help them more. Like it will bring them back home…
In other news, the Confab delegates couldn’t give a damn apparently. They’ve gotten their alerts, so why are we disturbing them?
Meanwhile, assorted newspaper editors are taking to beer parlours to write stories without details about probably non-existent emirs helping #BokoHaram members. It’s World Cup season, so writing in beer parlours is allowed. Wives, take note.
Still on the World Cup, and Solace Chukwu presents a tactical breakdown of what to expect this evening. You can catch Iran 1-0 Nigeria on SuperSport starting from 2000 WAT.