Dr. Imoh Imoh Ita is a certified personal trainer from the International sports science Association. He holds a doctorate degree in Public administration and development studies respectively. He is a lecturer and vice Dean of students Affairs at the Akwa Ibom State University. He is into fitness Mega cardio. High velocity and intensity. Fast burner. Total body strength training with band and weight training etc. He is also a businessman.
In this interview with our correspondent Divine Sam in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Dr. Imoh Ita talk briefly on sport development and other issues mingling within 2023 general elections, the ASSU strike and the calibres of leaders Nigerians should produce in the forthcoming General election. This, except…
Ques: The current administration in Akwa Ibom State seemingly not discovering much talent in sporting activities, what might be the case?
Ans: Sport is a very strong unified factor globally, and if you want to get the best of sport you have to start very early, otherwise called “catch them young” and like you said the current administration have not really paid attention to other sport endeavours except soccer and the involvement of the government, well I must say to the last extent that there are so many sporting activities to support the state development. State development should not be centered on infrastructure alone but also aspects of human development which is sport should be Annex. Annex in a sense that we have a lot of potentials, the likes of Samuel Peter, Troost Ekong and so many other ones. If sport is annex from the grassroot by providing basic infrastructure, like in primary school track and field exposing them to equipment, from here called for talent hunt from scratch you will see that before getting into high institution they are already choosing their part but it is a long term investment to gain an eternal glory. Therefore sport should be look into, not only football but other item of sports should be encourage by the state and individuals and as you said, the state Government can do a lot by going to the grassroots by providing some necessary infrastructure to help catch them young to actualize and to identify their area of strength aside from the state government, individuals and sports lovers should also contribute.
Like me now, I tried to expose my children to all manner of sports, if someone is introduced to a thing from infant stage there is that tendency to become a master of it in the future because to a point you will begin to see the area a child is strong and begin to build him or her from that aspect. Like some sporting events are highly neglected like basketball, and basketball outside the country is a money speedy venture and if the school children are exposed to it on time we can produce the likes of magic Johnson, micheal Jordan, tiger woods, serina Williams, Lawrence Ikwa ibom etc
and others, these guys have brought glory to their countries, off course you know some Nigerians actually left Nigeria to go and play basketball in other countries. Nigeria is a football Nation, let’s not role that out we can diversify to other sport but we can’t role it out that Nigeria is a football Nation even Africa as a whole.
Ques: Dr. You have so much passion for sport, which among this sports categories are you in love with?
Ans: my interest and passion for sport, started in the primary school, as at my primary school I used to represent my school at the stadium, but fortunately I had a father who didn’t have passion for sport and all what he wanted was for me to go to school, but that did not killed the spirit, I remember back then in my secondary school I was one of the best athletes, but of the sporting activities it was soccer I love so much and if I have a guide when I was young I would have been a world renowned star but my Dad was like go to school and that is why I have all these books around me, but I don’t want to train my children in that way, I will allow them develop in any area of their strengths. Currently, I am into calisthenics what you can use your body to do it and I tried to educates some upcoming stars.
Ques: Nigerians fans riot after suffering defeat to the black stars of Ghana in the world Cup qualifiers, how will you describe such situation?
Ans: that was extremely shameful, uncivilised, unacceptable, I totally condemned such an illicit act by the Nigerian fans. In soccer and sports generally there is a lot of discipline and self-controlled, Nigerian can be blacklisted by FIFA for that singular act, I heard people died that was quite shameful. The greater part of football is preparation, even though there is luck. The reaction from Nigerian fans was too barbaric, not acceptable anywhere.
Que: Dr. You are lecturing in the University that is own by the state government, in your own opinion, tell us the quality of Governor that will feet the leadership of the state University?
Ans: A self discipline Governor, must have the lecturer’s interest, must have value for education and be willing to fund quality academic activities.
What is your take on insecurity issues in Nigeria ahead of 2023 general elections?
Ans: Seriously, this are very delegates issues to talk about. Issues of insecurity in Nigeria should be stress to saboteuring, sellout. People inside the system are the one giving out appropriate information, a thief cannot come to your domain and steal if there is no information and for whatever reason they are trying to gain ground there is something fishy somewhere. Initially they say it was herdsmen, now is terrorist and bandit seriously something is wrong. The question is, has there ever been any arrest and conviction of any of these people? What is their intelligence level, somebody will bomb here, bomb there, bomb the airport and there’s no intelligence information then we are finish in Nigeria. Even at the scene of the incident they can not monitor the culprit? My brother we are finish in Nigeria.
Ques: what kind of Nigeria are you hoping to see after 2023 general elections?
Ans: this is a very tough question, Nigerian is very unpredictable,years to years nothing is changing all you hear is the same story. And as we usually defined politics as a dirty game, or a game of interest. Politics in Nigeria is all about how you get it, where you get it what to get it, I can say that a lot of people going in there are there for their personal interest, self aggrandisement, self status, I am this I am that and not for the interest of the masses. Quote me anywhere, if we must start with the interest of the people, start with yourself and release those things that belongs to the people. Senator want to go for 6th terms, house of representative want to remain there forever, what about house of Assembly all of them are representing their families and their personal pockets, their constituencies and senatorial District are lamenting. Ask them of their achievements in their immediate communities you will see is zero, but meanwhile they are building dynasty for themselves but the funniest thing is that once they vacates offices the run back to where they came from. Take for instance when Buhari came into power and the promises but look at how Nigeria is today. Nigeria is the far we go the worst it becomes. Everything about Nigeria is tribalism, nepotism, ethnicity biased and all sorts of division from religious angles.
Que. Currently many Nigerian students in the public universities are at home due to ASUU strike. Nevertheless, politicians seeking for elected positions are picking nomination forms from the respective political parties with sum running millions of Naira, will agree that Nigerian academic system is raising to standard?
Ans: I totally disagree my brother, been a lecturer I can boldly tell you Nigerian academic system is nose-down everyday and there will come a time one will not need to go to classes and they will just tear the certificates for you. Nigerian academic system is dying everyday, and it is coming from the top, top in a sense that the policy makers are not standing up to their responsibilities and they allowed government play politics with Nigeria education. The income imbalance is too high, look at how much the police are earning yet they are protecting lives and properties, look at how much primary school teachers are earning who groom the leaders from the cradle and look at how much one person is earning from the National Assembly, so income iniquality should be settled in Nigeria the disparity is just took much. Mind you, all of us are going to the same market, politicians and professionals.
Ques: Okay, with the current situation in country, what calibres of leaders should Nigerian produce in the forthcoming General elections?
Ans: if Nigerian are serious, they should elect people of integrity, people with pedigree, antecedents, track records. You are, saying there shouldn’t be cultism and you were once a cult or you are still a cultist how do you solve the problem? If you indulged in electoral malpractice to get to where you are, you think you can stop? No it will continue, because you are a beneficiary, Nigerians does not need those who are power drunk to lead again. Nigerians does not need those who had issues in leadership, but because of their money they think is possible for them to come back, is not about money is about your qualities. Having flit of cars and houses doesn’t make you a leader you are different in paraphernalia meanwhile your subjects are all over you lamenting.
Ques: what should the Federal Government do to satisfy the ASUU demands?
Ans: The federal government should provide the necessary financial aid to the federal University infrastructure and should not politicise education, health and legal judiciary. These three things should not be politicise by the federal government or else. This should not fall under interest, what I’m I gaining, there should be high level of hierarchy, fairness and meritocracy. Federal government should take responsibility of funding universities, when you gain good wages it will brings excitement to be focus in service delivery.
Ques: what can you do outside academics?
Ans: what I do outside academic are just two things, I do business and I do fitness. All though right now, I have not started monitising my fitness. I tried to help people loose weight, I build muscles, and I do things outside the normal things that are not on fitness. Business wise, i do business too. I buy and I sell. I engage in profitable and investment, I equally sale sports equipment.
Ques: Your message to sport community in Nigeria as a progressive Nation:
Ans: As a progressive Nation, Nigeria should invest in sports. There is a lot of economic growth in sport. Then Nigeria should learn to have self control, because what happened the other day was a National embarrassment, they should abide on discipline at different levels so we wouldn’t bring that kind of shame And calamity to the Nation. What happened there can easily leads to inter County clashes. So everybody should be sport conscious.
Ques: your message to the Nigerian youths ahead of 2023:
Ans: Nigerian youths should be law abiding, they should play with fairness, should not sacrifice their future for money. If the other party wins, they should consolidate themselves and congratulates the winner. Let there be equity for all in the forthcoming General election.
Thank you very Dr. Imoh Imoh Ita for giving us your time, it was nice talking to you.
Thank you Divine Sam for your intelligence discussion, you can always beacon on me anytime you want.
See Pictures of Dr. Imoh Imoh Ita below;
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