He is not nicknamed the 'General' for nothing. Like a veteran soldier would, Chikelue Iloenyosi fought doggedly to reclaim his mandate after initially losing his bid, in an election, to become the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA) chairman. Now, firmly back on the stool, he has shown early signs that he is on a mission to launch the state's football into the orbit with initiatives and innovations that is now stimulating the interest of all stakeholders. In this interview with JUST LIBERATION NEWS.COM, Iloenyosi takes stock of his performance so far in office, his current job with the country's national team, the Super Eagles, the NFF's scorecard during the same period and the future he envisages for the round leather game in the country, say in the next three years. Excerpts....
SIR, YOUR NICKNAME 'GENERAL' REVERBERATES AROUND YOU EVERYWHERE YOU GO? WHAT'S IT'S ORIGIN, AND HOW COME IT'S MORE PROMINENT THAN YOUR ORIGINAL NAME?
Well, I should say the name 'General' was bequeathed on me naturally. I recall that I started being addressed by it when I was very little. It was not something I had the power to influence or change because it was spontaneous -- a natural response of people to the way I conducted myself. I was told that when I was young, I was quite adept at organizing things and courageous enough to take charge of situations.
This in itself, I should say, was a bloodline thing. Half of my family members were either in one branch of the armed forces or the other. I had uncles, aunties, extended members of the Iloenyosi family who were in either the police or in the army. So, the name 'General' became a natural off-shoot of that affinity to the military.
I am proud of that heritage and I carry it with honour even to this day because it has defined my personality in many ways.
YOU STRUGGLED TO REGAIN YOUR MANDATE AFTER THE ANSFA ELECTION IRREGULARITIES INITIALLY ROBBED YOU. HOW DO FEEL TODAY?
First of all, let me give God all the glory. The Anambra State Football Association elections was keenly contested. Of course, in an election in which the stakes were so high, it was not possible to rule out some irregularities. But thank God, fairness and justice prevailed in the end and I was returned as the duly elected chairman of the association.
I see my emergence as an asset for Anambra State football considering that it is the first time that an ex-footballer who played to the highest level now manages the affairs of the sport in the state.
For sure, I think it will count for something in many ways for the state. I will therefore urge everyone, including those who contested and lost, to join hands with me so that we can together achieve the dream of building our football to the level it naturally should be
Elections are over, and I would sincerely urge us all to close ranks for the betterment of the game in the state in particular, and the country in general.
I will also like to use this medium to thank the state governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo for the support he has accorded us so far.
SURELY YOU INTEND TO USE YOUR CURRENT POSITION AS A STEPPING STONE TO REACH EITHER THE NFF EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERSHIP OR THE PRESIDENCY IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE?
In life, everything is step by step. Right now, I am the chairman of the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA). I am committed to delivering on my pre-election promises and making a great impact overall.
However, as a progressive human being, I have dreams of aspiring to greater positions in the country's football hierarchy in future. Let me not be unduly over-ambitious. I intend to take everything step by step. By the grace of God, I will do the needful when the time comes to aspire to those positions you have mentioned.
YOU HAD QUITE A SUCCESSFUL CAREER, PLAYING HOME AND ABROAD. DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE?
It was a tough, but glorious experience. I started from the scratch. I first hit the stage of professional football, playing for NIPOST FC, Enugu, then on to Calabar Rovers, Udoji United, Enugu Rangers, El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, and Iwuanyanyu Nationale of Owerri.
After that, I moved to Turkey and played for Fernabahce Spor Kulubu, Borussia Berlin in Germany, Caykur Rizaspor, Ittihad FC, Asteras Tripoli (Libya) and Al-Ittihad Club.
I was also in the Flying Eagles team that reached the quarter-final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup staged by Nigeria in 1999. After that, I got a call-up to the senior team, the Super Eagles in year 2000 and earned 20 caps.
I was also in the U-23 Eagles squad that featured in the football event of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. I later tried my hands in coaching and as at today, I am a UEFA certified coach. On the personal level, I won several individual and team honours during my playing days. Overall, I should say I had a very fulfilling career.
NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW YOU ARE A TWIN. YOU HAVE A TWIN SISTER WHO LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE YOU. HOW DOES IT FEEL?
Yeah. Being a twin is one thing that surprises a lot of people. More interesting is the fact that were my other half not a lady, it would have been pretty difficult to tell us apart because of the striking resemblance.
However, unlike other twins who are always at each other's necks, ours is very unique in that we share an unbreakable bond. From our childhood days up to now, my relationship with my twin sister remains 100%. So, I thank God for us. My prayer is that God will continue to bless us. Amen.
MOST RECENTLY, YOU SERVED AS A SUPPORT STAFF TO THE SUPER EAGLES. DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE?
It has been an interesting experience, working with the Super Eagles as a support staff. In the period I have been there, seeing them play different competitive, warm up games, I have learned a few new things that will surely help in adding value to how I run the affairs of the sport in my native Anambra. I have no doubt the experience that I have acquired so far will come in quite handy in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.
HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE IBRAHIM GUSAU-LED NFF BOARD AFTER ONE YEAR OF PILOTING THE AFFAIRS OF NIGERIAN FOOTBALL?
The Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF is on the right track. They have been quite forthcoming in repositioning the sport and reigniting hope in the future. You can see that there has been a marked improvement in the performance of both our male and female national teams. It's just a tip of the iceberg. Better days lie ahead. You can also see the improvements in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) and the recent sponsorship package from major telecommunications provider, MTN. I think if the current momentum is sustained, Nigerian football will be on its way to reclaiming it's lost glory on the global soccer arena in say, the next three years.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE PRESENT PRIORITIES REGARDING HOW YOU INTEND TO IMPROVE THE FORTUNES OF FOOTBALL IN ANAMBRA STATE?
We have been quite busy. Our desire to build a solid foundation for the state's football development has led to us raising strong age-grade teams starting from both the U-13 and U-15 levels. We have also brought in scouts from within and outside the state to look at some of these young talents for the purpose of nurturing them and giving them adequate exposure.
We have also put in place initiatives geared towards periodically paying homage to, and honouring our ex-players dead or alive.
Recently, we organised a one-of-a-kind All-Stars game that brought our past and present heroes together. It was a glorious spectacle, seeing great names reconnecting and fraternizing together again in an atmosphere of conviviality that brought back memories of the glory days of jam-packed stadiums and exquisite football that kept fans on the edges of their seats.
We have also been working hard to seeing that fans get to see more grade A games being played at the Awka City Stadium which is fast becoming a melting pot of football action, hosting different NPFL, NNL, NLO games, side by side with several scouting programmes.
Our recent FA Cup hosted at the same stadium was adjudged by many as something of a worthy spectacle. We hope to build on these successes, going forward.
WHAT IN YOUR OPINION MUST NIGERIA DO WIN THE FIFA WORLD CUP, FOR INSTANCE?
In life, nothing is impossible. It is a matter of having the will. There's no doubt that Nigeria has the potential to pick football's greatest prize, but there is a lot of things that must be in place for that to happen.
First, we must ensure that the right persons are entrusted with the task of running football in this country. The league must be fully developed in order to attract investors. Then, our football infrastructure needs to be upgraded and steps must be taken at all times to ensure proper maintenance of such facilities.
Then, for the team itself, we must insist on the right playing personnel devoid of any sentiments. Right now, the Super Eagles possess one of the most potent attacks in world football. If steps can be taken to strengthen the midfield and defence, I think we have a chance of going far in any competition we attend, be it the African Cup of Nations or the World Cup.
I have a dream that some day, in the not too distant future, Nigeria can win the World Cup.
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