Frankie Omokhua, Enugu
The Nnaji Family Foundation’s unwavering stance to propagate ethical sports development has opened a new era for discussion.
When the Nnaji Family Foundation was established in 2022, organized sports in Enugu State, particularly basketball were largely moribund. Years of neglect and minimal government support had left young athletes without structured opportunities, mentorship or safe environments to develop their talents.
Recognizing this vacuum, the Foundation stepped in, not merely to build facilities, but, to restore purpose, discipline and integrity to youth sports.
In a chat with Sportsday at the weekend, the Country Director of the Nnaji Family Foundation, Felicia Ezeako, outlined areas of interest in the academy, as she opened up on the controversy sorrounding the arrest of a former athlete of the academy for theft.
*The Mission Statement*
From inception, the mission has gone far beyond competition. We are committed to nurturing well-rounded young people through sports, education, technology, and character development. Our facilities were created as safe space, places where children could grow without fear of exploitation, intimidation, or moral compromise.
*Confronting Exploitation and Resistance to Reform*
As our work began to yield positive outcomes, it inevitably attracted resistance. Certain individuals within the sports ecosystem, some who claim to be “stakeholders” operate on exploitative models that prioritize personal gain over the welfare of athletes. These practices include manipulating young players for financial benefit, withholding international passports and discouraging accountability.
When the Nnaji Family Foundation identified and disengaged from these harmful influences, backlash followed. What we face today is not principled criticism, but, a coordinated smear campaign by those whose negative influence we refused to tolerate.
*The Incident of December 6: Facts, Not Fiction*
On December 6, at the request of Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT), our facility hosted a friendly basketball match. Without any prior communication with our organization, Daniel Uche Ohotu, an athlete previously expelled and banned from our facility for misconduct, joined the ESUT team and entered our premises.
After the match, within our basketball court, Ohotu stole one of our basketballs, produced a sharp object, and deliberately pierced the ball to deflate it, concealing it in his bag. This act was witnessed by junior athletes, children as young as eight years old who were visibly frightened and disturbed. They immediately reported the incident to their coach.
Our coaches retrieved the stolen, vandalized ball and escorted Ohotu to the reception area while attempting to contact me. During this interval, he deceived our security personnel and absconded from the facility.
At this point, the matter ceased to be an internal disciplinary issue and became a security and criminal concern. The incident was duly reported to the police, and was later apprehended with the assistance of ESUT students. Disturbingly, as he was escorted out, Ohotu made mocking hand gestures to our young athletes, signaling that he believed himself untouchable (“ọ̀dà éshì”).
The following day, his mother contacted me, not to express remorse or concern but to verbally harass, threaten and challenge the organization, dismissing the matter entirely and daring us to “do our worst.”
*Why We Chose Due Process Over Silence*
Ohotu was granted bail after his uncle met the conditions. I personally advised the family to secure legal representation, knowing the case would proceed to court. Shockingly, no family member appeared in court on his behalf, and his uncle privately admitted exhaustion from repeatedly intervening in Ohotu’s encounters due to misconduct.
Our decision to allow the law to take its course was neither impulsive nor vindictive. As an organization deeply invested in youth development, we are guided by the words of Janet Reno, former U.S. Attorney General which says, “The only effective way to reduce and prevent crime is to balance tough enforcement measures with targeted, effective intervention initiatives.” This philosophy defines our relationship with every athlete under our care.
*Key Reasons For Our Actions*
Our actions were informed by serious, cumulative concerns which include:
1. Security Breach: Ohotu by-passed security checks with a concealed sharp object, posing a clear safety risk.
2. Endangerment of Minors: Children not adults witnessed and reported the theft. Had they confronted him directly, the outcome could have been dangerous.
3. Parental Enabling: His guardians excused his behavior, unlike other cases where parents supported discipline to foster reform. Exemplified by one of Ohotu’s friend who stole several balls from our organization and when he was dismissed he picked gun from the security house and approached our workers meeting. His parents called to express their displeasure over his behavior and chose to allow him stay in the police custody to enable him reflect and change.
4. Moral Instruction: It was essential to demonstrate to our junior athletes that theft is not “pop culture” but a serious offense with consequences.
5. Repeat Offenses: Ohotu had a documented history of stealing from our facility and another organization, including prior police remand-without reform.
6. Unauthorized Access: He previously entered our closed facility during holidays and assisted former staff in removing items without approval, for which he was merely reprimanded.
7. Associated Risks: A close associate of Ohotu previously caught stealing at our facility later brandished a firearm during dismissal proceedings. We cannot ignore patterns of delinquency.
8. Chronic Theft Issues: Our facility has suffered repeated thefts – solar lights, phones and cash, forcing us to replace stolen property at significant cost.
9. Corrupt Stakeholder Influence: Some individuals claiming stakeholder status profit from selling athletes for commissions, discouraging discipline to maintain control.
10. Bad-Faith Campaigning: None of these “stakeholders” sought dialogue; instead, they weaponized the incident to malign the Foundation after being excluded.
11. Good-Faith Resolution Attempt: Prior to any smear campaign, we proposed a restorative solution to Ohotu’s parents – a court appeal that would lead to quiet dismissal after some days of reform. This offer was ignored.
12. Global Precedent: Sports bodies worldwide-including the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, NBA, NCAA, UEFA and Europol -regularly cooperate with law enforcement to address crimes such as theft, fraud, and match-fixing. Accountability is a cornerstone of safe sports environments.
*What This Was, And What It Wasn’t*
This matter was never about the monetary value of a basketball. It was about safety, deterrence, moral instruction and the protection of children entrusted to our care. Allowing such conduct to pass unchallenged would have sent a destructive message to every young athlete watching.
*Our Values Remain Non-Negotiable*
The Nnaji Family Foundation exists to protect, guide and uplift young people. Our actions, however uncomfortable to those invested in disorder are grounded in principle, not popularity. Sports must remain a force for discipline, integrity, and positive citizenship. We will not sacrifice these values to appease exploitative interests or tolerate behavior that endangers children.
We remain steadfast in our mission to inspire youth, uphold integrity and ensure that sports serve as a platform for growth, safety and lasting positive impact.
