CRISTIANO RONALDO...COMETH THE HOUR, COMETH THE MAN WHO YOU CAN NEVER WRITE OFF.

He roared and they were rather astounded at such show of emotion. Wow! Are you kidding me? I would have shouted down the whole of Switzerland if I was only just included in the FIFPRO XI not to talk of beating LIONEL MESSI and MANUEL NEUER to the greatest individual award any footballer can be given. Please! In 2012, no one would have given CR7 the slightest chance to reclaim an award he had lost four years in a row to biggest rival, Leo. In any era, the Argentine would have been a bone in the neck. For Ronaldo to come back from relative obscurity to reclaim Soccer's most coveted individual prize is an achievement in its own. After a stellar 2014 filled with goals and trophies, it wasn't still a certainty that he was the obvious choice. Not when we have the likes of Clark Whitney who tweets his hate from @mr_bundesliga account bringing out stats that effectively portray his clear disdain for the Portuguese football legend. Manuel Neuer rebranded the gk position, won the World Cup and what have you. Beautiful stuff but when you consider what CR7 achieved, it would have been totally unfair to ignore him for an award he so rightly deserves. He won it and Clark and co couldn't hide their disgust and disappointment. Well, haters can only hate.

To better things, CR7 ensured that he remains the reference point, the best player in the World but it hasn't come at an easy price. For one who was much maligned since his last award in 08 (prior to last year), one would have concluded that he would never hold aloft the golden ball. But he prove beyond all reasonable doubt that dry bones can rise again. A measure of his relentlessness and never say die spirit which has robbed off on all those who wanted to give up, of course. His mother fell into his arms, in tears, because she knows how much work he has put in to be rewarded with such a huge honour. Even if Thierry Henry looked motionless and bemused when Ronaldo let out 'siiiiiiiii' which means 'yes' upon collecting the golden ball, I know he still appreciates the fact that being there is no mean feat. Afterall, he was there gazing when Zidane and Ronalidnho were picked ahead of him in successive years (03-04). Many have argued that he deserves at least a Ballon d'Or for what he achieved but so do Totti, Raul, Del Piero, Giggs and many others who weren't recognised.

Ronaldo defied the odds, raised the bar beyond the reach of anyone else (including Messi) and forced the hand of those who voted for him. Looking at it critically, I analysed the voting of the last six years and 69-71% of those who voted for Messi from 09-12, turned around to vote for Ronaldo the last two years. If we listen to the likes of Whitney, Ronnie probably bribed them all. Anyways, let's face important issues. CR7 and Rafa Nadal always prove the doubters wrong. They make them look like clowns that they are. Those who criticize them get the unlikeliest of responses when the time is right. Like Nadal, Ronaldo always come back....in your faces and this is not the end of his 'return to the summit; sequel. The advice henceforth is 'learn where others have failed and learn harder where others have failed better to succeed best'.

Thank you



Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS IN NIGERIA...CONSTANTLY INFRINGED AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE. IT IS TIME TO ACT.

The first question that springs up is 'Does the average employee know his right'? The answer is a resounding NO! The Nigerian work environment is a military zone and employees are constantly subjected to the worst treatment. Employers consider themselves tyrants, dictators and gods in very sense and the evil/injustice meted on those who are responsible for the success of their businesses goes unpunished. This has to be looked into and the earlier it is handled, the better for everyone.

It is not often that I delve into matters outside the World of sport, especially on this platform but I have seen and experienced the most distasteful employer-employee relationship and I have decided that it is time to stand up and be counted. At least, a courageous one should bell the cat if others have decided to be cowards and wallow in their sorrows.

You see, the biggest problem we have in Nigeria is not the government like everyone thinks. The major barrier to progress is us. We are our own enemies more often than not. It is the bane of our growth. What we crave we cannot attain because we inhibit ourselves. Reading tweets some days ago, someone was complaining to GIDITRAFFIC about the unfair treatment his boss subjected him to last year. His monthly take home is #50,000 and his boss gave him #20,000 for November wages after two months. That is 40% of what he is entitled to at the end of the month. Upon protestation, which of course is expected, the boss told him to resign if he was not satisfied with the amount given. As we speak, December salary is still being withheld. This is a guy that caters for not only himself but his younger ones. For starters, #50,000 a month is chicken change in this Country of ours. Adding insult to injury, he has to rely on that meagre amount to take care of dependants. This tore my heart into shreds and I decided to speak out as I have also been a victim.

Unemployment has eaten deep into the Nigerian skin to an extent that graduates earn as little as #10,000 monthly. Jobs cannot be rejected because there are only a few ones available. Imagine completing law school and earning as little as #15,000 monthly afterwards. It is a very big issue which has been treated with levity for a long time now. No solution in sight. It is for this singular reason that employers are taking undue advantage of those they consider impoverished enough to work for them. If a Masters degree holder gracefully and happily jumps at the opportunity to work in an Organization that can supposedly afford to pay him/her #60,000 monthly, then the employer devalues the employee. It is what has led to the current state of affairs. As I write this, I am fully aware of the dangers that are associated with it but I don't even want to care a tiny little bit. Some of my former employers are guilty as charged. The only way to bring public attention fully to this unwelcome development is to make our feelings known.


What are the solutions?

We may think we are handicapped but we are not as helpless as it looks, We can always fight for our rights, irrespective of who takes the fall. Simply put, it is necessary to know your rights as an employee and enforce them without crossing the line. It is easy. Just take a little time and find out what employee rights are wherever you work, Most of us are not aware of the 'LEGAL ALERT -employment laws in Nigeria'  http://www.oseroghoassociates.com/articles/88-employment-laws-in-nigeria-in-the-21st-century?print=1&download=0 . The legal alert (employment laws) is a tool the employees can use to fight employees legally. Most of us do not even surf the net to be well informed and armed with weapons of warfare when the need arises. The cruelty and callousness of the average Nigerian employer is a well known issue. It is our perception to it and the actions we should take that are quite unclear. Most of us will never react for fear of losing our jobs. The lot who do not see it as a just cause cannot be blamed because losing a job when there is no hope for another can be very disastrous. As they say, 'A bird in hand is worth millions in the bush'.......even when that bird is sick, frail and at the point of death.

No one will champion the employee cause more than those of us who are greatly affected by this utter disregard. If we are to turn the tables on the seemingly untouchable people, we have to bury our fears and call upon our inner strengths. Only then will justice be done.


Ohireime P Eboreime
@lordbaruda1987