Over the years, I have realized that whatever you do, you will either bring insults or praises to yourself, your parents, your hometown, your nation, and your race. The celebration and adulation Victor Osimhen presently receives and a possible record-breaking sign-on fee from a new club is an example of this fact. If you misbehave or commit a crime in your hometown, people will quickly relate tales of ancient behavioral landmarks left by your parents or forebears. Once you step out of the shores of your hometown, state, or nation, you become an ambassador even if you are not appointed. Your actions and even inactions either open or close the door of opportunities for those after you.

This can be said to be the case for African players like George Weah who is the current President of Liberia and the only African player yet to win Soccer’s highest individual honor, and Samuel Eto who is the President of the Cameroonian Football Federation. They both excelled exceedingly in the Italian league. Another player with African heritage in recent memory who had better chances of writing his name in gold is Mario Balotelli. In his prime, some soccer pundits believed the only players better than him were Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But unlike Messi and Ronaldo, he lacked one of the most important attributes for success in any field of endeavor – Discipline.

Some soccer pundits are again drawing statistical comparisons between Osimhen, Messi, and Ronaldo regarding the number of games it took him to score 100 goals just like they did with Balotelli. Whoever knows Osimhen reading this should tell him greatness beckons, but mediocrity also beckons. The distinguishing factor is Discipline. I believe discipline is a silver bullet. It is that attribute that can enable us to achieve the impossible. One attribute that is a constant in all disciplines for greatness is Discipline. From Denzel Washington in Hollywood to Lewis Hamilton in Formula One – Discipline is the key factor. Discipline separates the extraordinary from the ordinary. As we celebrate Victor Osimhen and other Nigerians from Edo State like Superstar singer-songwriter Rema making their family, state, nation, and the Black race proud, know this – Discipline in your field of expertise would separate you and yours for celebration.

Ata Ukuta – Editor, Towncryyers