Hon. Dr. Oluwasegun Mutairu Musa is one of the top sports’ philanthropists whose contribution to the development of football in Nigeria has been immense. Musa is a corporate titan, seasoned technocrat; unionist and consummate Maritime practitioner. He is vast as he has gathered decades of expertise, spanning through and several sectors of the economy.
Musa is the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wide Scope Group, an internationally recognized group of companies with enviable status in aviation, media, logistics amongst others. The company whose headquarters is in Lagos has set its foothold across five countries with strong presence on three continents of the world.
Musa is a politician par excellence. He was once a gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State when he contested for the number 1 seat of the executive power of the state in 2019. Few months ago, he was made the patron of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club (NFSC) courtesy the national chairman of the Supporters Club, Sam Ikpea. His appointment is said to be long overdue and it’s a testament to how much the supporters’ club recognizes his contribution and support to the welfare of members and that of the various National Teams in general.
Few days ago, Citypeople reporter Jamiu Abubakar met Musa at a public function and quickly engaged him in a chat. There he told us about his love for the round leather game and why he chose to support everything around it. He revealed his many plans for football development at the grassroots as well as what he is doing to support members of the Nigerian Football Supporters’ Club. Below are excerpts:
Congratulations on your new role as the patron of the Nigerian football Supporters’ Club. When exactly were you appointed ?
I became the patron of the Nigerian football Supporters’ Club a few months ago before the AFCON tournament in Cote D’ivoire.
How challenging is it being the patron of the loudest Supporters’ Club in the world?
It’s a huge challenge and selfless service. I see it as a way of giving back to the community and encouraging the sports community.
Your support for Nigerian Football Supporters’ Club during the recently concluded AFCON in. Cote D’ivoire was immense. Why you choose to do sports philanthropy?
I would say I was inspired by the late Chief MKO Abiola, who was the former patron of the supporters’ club. I could remember during his lifetime, he always ensured that even if the Federal Government deprived the club the opportunity to participate fully in the tournament, he would always go all the way out to give his maximum support. You know, the more you support the Supporters’ Club, the more you support the Super Eagles and the football community. Football is one game that brings everybody and if MKO Abiola can do that within his own principle, I think it beholds people like us that see him as a leader to also imbibe and be encouraged in such a philanthropic gesture.
How would you describe the activities of the Supporters’ Club and in what way have you been helpful to them?
The Supporters’ Club has always been a selfless service. It is where you have different backgrounds, coming together to see how they can support themselves without counting costs or returns. A lot of them will leave their families for days or weeks to ensure that they give maximum support. There’s nothing as selfless service as that. Like the last AFCON tournament, when they called me, they were almost stranded because the support they got was minimal. They called me and said they needed a lifeline because the money we were able to raise for them was not enough and they were about to be rejected out of the hotel. I have to quickly rush and raise more money for them. And that is the essence of patronship. Patron is not a position; you just hang on your shoulder or as a feather to your cap. It’s a selfless service that comes with no blowing of horns and trumpets. To be it’s a huge challenge that most of us are used to and we have to continue doing.
What other things are you doing within the sport’s realm?
I’m starting my football club very soon. We are also promoting sporting activities at the grassroots. We are hosting football tournaments for secondary schools and universities. We are starting hopefully by May, or June.
Where are you setting up your football club?
We are starting with Lagos. We would start with Primary schools, Secondary Schools and Universities in Lagos state.
How do you intend to scout for players that would play in the football club?
I have many experienced people around me, both in the Supporters’ Club and even among my friends. I have a lot of them who are willing to support and screen potential players who would play for the club. I will try to encourage them as much as MKO Abiola did to Abiola Babes.
What is the name of the club?
The name is not out yet. We are thinking probably of coining the name with one of my companies or personal name but we are to decide on that.
How do you intend to run the club?
I’m using my club as an avenue to discover talents. I have realized that playing football is a profession on its own. When opportunity is given to the young ones, they can easily grow faster. So my club would be more of a selfless service, not counting cost or returns. We will discover talents; children or adults and we will promote them beyond the shores of this country.
Can you tell us a bit about your upbringing, academic background, professional journey?
I was born about 5 decades ago in Ebute Meta, Lagos. I’m a Lagosian from Badagry. I went through my Primary, Secondary and tertiary education up to Master’s level. I had a background in shipping and petroleum management. I did my postgraduate in international relations and strategic studies as well as transport planning. I have been in the shipping and general transport business for over 30 years. I run a multinational company. I have my office in Nigeria, in the UK, South Africa, Abidjan, Ghana and Nigeria. I cover 3 continents of the world.
Tell us more about your company Widescope Group
The name of my company is Widescope Group. I have been in the industry for over 3 decades. I’m also privileged to be a security consultant and a serving officer. I’m the Deputy State Commandant for VGN. I’m once a governorship candidate in Lagos state. I contested in 2019 with Governor Sanwo-Olu. I run 2 to 3 NGO; for children, for adults and for widow’s and others.
It appears you are saddled with many responsibilities. How are you able to fit into your many roles?
I’m still a young man. So, I have the time and the limited resources that I can distribute to make sure I continue paddling the ship.
Aside from the financial assistance you provide for the Nigerian Football Supporters’ Club, what other things are you doing to make them better?
Like I mentioned earlier on, the Nigerian Football Supporters’ Club is a selfless service platform where people contribute without expecting anything in return. So it’s my role as a patron to make sure I encourage them and make them add value to the club. I’m starting empowerment for them by June to ensure I add value to them. Some of them need jobs. Some of them need to add to whatever they are doing. All these we are putting together with the leadership of the club to ensure that their members are empowered. If they are empowered, they will be able to do more than what they are doing presently.
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