By Dickson Omobola
Sports communication expert, Dr Unwana Akpan, has called for greater investment in indigenous football development, saying it is crucial to nurturing players’ skills from an early age.
Akpan, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, Akoka, also criticised those trolling former Super Eagles captain, Jay-Jay Okocha, saying he was one of Nigeria’s greatest football entertainers whose style inspired generations of players.
Speaking to Vanguard, Akpan said Okocha’s flair was rooted in Nigeria’s indigenous football culture, where creativity and entertainment were as highly valued as winning.
His words: “You see what Okocha did? That is indigenous football. When he was playing, and you looked at players around Aba, Benin and Asaba, those guys were not just playing to score goals; they were playing to entertain.
