…“All cabinet members are aware but refuse to intervene because I kick against corruption” – WBC Ali
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A Nigerian former World Boxing Champion (WBC ), Bashiru Lawrence Ali, (aka Bash Ali), has raised alarm of alleged corruption, revealing that the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Hon. John Enoh, has demanded for 1 million US Dollars from him.
Boxer Ali, who is organising a world boxing championship fighting project to be hosted in Nigeria, raised the alarm in an open letter he personally signed and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, dated 24th, April 2024.
In a statement he personally made available to our reporter via his private WhatsApp, Ali alleged that calling meeting of members of his Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee (LOC), as constituted and inaugurated by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), has stalled, for saying “No” to corruption.
In his petition bearing official letter-heading of Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development of Bash Ali Boxing Project, Local Organising Committee and Quest for Guinness Book of World Record, Ali stated that, if the WBC is organised devoid of corruption, it would generate a lot of money for the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The latter reads in parts: “Open letter, Bola Tinubu (GCFR), President of Nigeria, Presidential Villa, Abuja, Corrupt Minister John Enoh’s Demand For Another US$1M.”
Bash Ali also stated that, “My President, Sir, Sport is one of the biggest industries in the world and, if well organized in Nigeria devoid of corruption, will favorably compete with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company in generating big time money for the government and help to create employment for the people.
“But unfortunately, minister Enoh and his cohorts are only interested in making money for themselves and not for our country, Nigeria. My President, Sir, I am the most patriotic Nigerian in the world.
“Every Guinness World Record Boxing Championship Fight has held in the United States of America (USA). So, mine would be the first outside, and the most lucrative in the history of Pay Per view Television revenue. Instead of hosting it in the USA or in any other country, I insisted it must be in my country, Nigeria.
“I left my comfort zone in Oakland, California, USA, 17 years ago as one of the richest boxers in the world; and today, my country, Nigeria, has turned me to the poorest simply because I say NO to CORRUPTION and, despite being financially broke I still turned down several JUICY offers, including a 75M Euros to fight outside of Nigeria.
“I love my country and I will never give up on Nigeria, especially now that you have brought the renewed HOPE AGENDA.
“My President, Sir, corrupt Minister of Sports, John Enoh, has turned your ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ to renewed hopelessness agenda by demanding from me another US$1M USD before he calls for a meeting with the members of the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee (LOC) as constituted and inaugurated by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN). And because I say NO to his demands, he started to frustrate and give me his Renewed Hopelessness Agenda.
“My President, Sir, I did not leave my comfort zone in the USA to come to fight my country, Nigeria, in a court battle. I came to Nigeria to host the biggest boxing show in the world and SHOCK the world by rewriting boxing history and bring honor, glory and financial growth to Nigeria. So, help me make this laudable dream a reality, please,” he stated.
He, therefore, outlined 4 prayers to Mr. President Tinubu, saying that presidency should take over the hosting of this historic fight; settle the suit against the FGN out of court; permit him the luxury of once again presenting to president, the historic fight souvenirs and, lastly, that his allegations against Minister Enoh be properly investigated and that appropriate action be taken against him.
“My President, Sir, let me conclude by making you laugh. I made a mistake by making some T-Shirts with the minister’s image and mine with the inscription, ‘Join the minister and I to knockout corruption in Sports,’” he stated.
According to him, on getting it (T-Shirt), “Minister Enoh said NA T-SHIRT WE GO CHOP?’ Welcome to the Renewed Hopelessness by Minister Enoh…lol,” it retorted.
Bash Ali also sent copies of the letter of his petition on corruption allegation against minister Enoh to Nigeria’s Senate, House of Reps, and to SA to President on Policy & Coordination, respectively, for their information and anticipated action.
He also stated that, since 2023, Enoh had developed a well organized form of delay by sitting on his matter and pretending to be working by purposely sending his file to wrong department and telling him to “be patient.”
“President, Sir, for 8 months I am told to be patient, but if by today I pay minister Enoh a US1m, the meeting of my members of LOC will be possible and my file will be sent to the proper place. We cannot continue driving backward our great country Nigeria; we cannot,” he repeated.
He also stated that, “The letter and text messages exchanged between minister Enoh and I are available on demand. Reading it will make you sad, and sad.
“My President, most of members of your cabinet know about these but have refused to intervene or bring the matter to your attention and all my acknowledgement letters to you and, your First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as the presidency have been blocked all because I say NO to Corruption,” he lamented.
According to him, FGN had between 2006 and 2019 inaugurated several LOCs for the actualization of the project with representation from NASS and private sector, adding that all they needed from the sports ministry is midwives and even make some money in the process, but lamented that all Enoh wants is personal gains.
All efforts to get Minister Enoh’s further clarification were fruitless due to bottlenecks.