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Why will a guy that was born and raised in the City of Enugu invest his money made outside Nigeria in a Nigeria that is run by criminals? A Coal Camp guy for that matter needs to be more street smart. Doesn’t he believe what he may have been reading about that useless, corrupt entity called a country? I think that his investing his hard earned money in a country run by the likes of Obasanjo, Atiku, IBB, Abacha, Abubakar, Gowon, Orji Kalu, etc, with the help of the banking system, was a flaw in judgement on his part. I feel for him though. I hope it does not affect his game during the African Nations Cup Championships.
quote:Okocha speaks about cash loss crisis Last posted: Thursday 15 January 2004 14:55 WANDERERS star Jay-Jay Okocha is believed to have lost a fortune in a Nigerian bank crisis.
Reports coming out of Nigeria quote the Wanderers captain as being "in real trouble, in a real mess." It has been claimed that Okocha had lost up to £4 million which he had invested in several Nigerian banks.
Today, the 29-year-old Nigerian-born midfielder admitted there were problems in his home country but played down the severity of his losses.
The Reebok favourite said that the situation may not be as dire as reported. He said: "I am in the process of trying to take care of it but it will not stop me from playing for Nigeria in the African Nations Cup."
He added: "I am in good spirits and am determined to do my best."
It is expected he will play for Bolton against Portsmouth on Saturday and possibly against Aston Villa on Wednesday before flying to Tunisia for the tournament which opens on January 24.
The news of Okocha's financial troubles were reported on Wednesday in the Nigerian daily newspaper Vanguard .
At his home in Bromley Cross last night, Okocha declined to talk further, adding it was his "day off from work" when he spent time with his family.
Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside said he was unaware of the star's troubles.
Quotes attributed to Okocha in the Lagos-based newspaper said: "I have almost all my money in a bank in Nigeria. Now the bank has a problem -- I'm in real trouble, in a real mess.
"I really don't know what to do. That's why I'm staying back at the club to see if I can make a little money playing matches."
"It is really disturbing. I wish that something could be done for me."
He added: "My mind is with Nigeria. I love my country. I'm captain of the team and I know my responsibilities. But honestly I'm troubled. Right now the loss is hurting badly. I'm just praying that something positive happens."
Onochie Anibeze, the sports editor of the the Vanguard who wrote the original story said: "I have known Jay-Jay a long time and this is big news in Nigeria. We are all hoping he can get his money back but there have been problems with some of the banks in Nigeria.
"If he can get his money back, I think he will play for Nigeria. Everyone wants to see him play, he's the lifeblood of the team and would be really missed if he didn't go to the tournament.
"People aren't happy because, as the captain, he has responsibilities. He is a big player for us."
Okocha was supposed to travel to Tunisia to play in the African Nations Cup at the weekend but stayed to play vital games for his club.
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2447 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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This really a sad news, I completely agree with Ednut in this case, for the life of I can't understand what will possed an Igbo boy like Okocha to put all his eggs in a leaky basket like Nigeria. Okocha built his house in Lagos and his fleet of cars in Lagos, May be this will teach him a lesson not to trust all those fraudster like Obasanjo.
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