Renowned U.S.-based international human rights lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe, has pointed out the amazing similarity between the epic Nigerian football matches that freed him when he was taken captive in the presidential villa in 1996 and when he returned to the villa this weekend for an award.

In a feature spoken word presentation at the 110th edition of Tigris, a decade-old monthly jazz, comedy and talent show in Abuja yesterday, Ogebe dramatically narrated on stage:

“SOMEONE IS PLAYING FOR YOUR FREEDOM

- I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW IT

Part 1: The Epic

That historic football match between Nigeria and Brazil in Atlanta 1996 pastor Sarah said they prayed for was for me.

General Sani Abacha was the ruler of Nigeria, Jo. Bonfere was the Chief Coach of the dream team, Nwankwo Kanu fully on ground as the Captain of the team etc.

Brazil was the king of global football and they knew it. So, Nigeria losing to Brazil that night would not be a big deal. Gosh! Brazil dealt with us that night. Till around 77th minutes (about 12 minutes to the end of the game) Brazil was obviously dominating the game.

The score line was Brazil 3, Nigeria 1.

Despite the Brazil squad including star names such as Carlos, Rivaldo, Bebeto and Ronaldo, Nigerians watching the game still think

Nigeria did not deserve such humiliation by Brazil boys, we had been beaten mercilessly.

Nigerians became angry towards the end of the match; many had turned off their Television sets, some were shedding tears, while few hoped and prayed that we would not be further disgraced with yet another

Goal…

But then the unimaginable happened!

At about 78th minutes Victor Ikepba struck from 20 meters to score the second goal, everything changed beyond the 3:2 score line.

Pressure came upon Brazil players and hope came upon the Nigerian players – they became

More motivated and began to fire shots from every angle.

Then another miracle, at the 90th minute, just before the final whistle, Kanu Nwankwo turned and flipped the ball over Dida and it was another goal – the equalizer.

What a wonderful match!

There was a rule then, “the Golden Goal.”

That the first team to score in the extra time wins the game.

Then came the decisive goal from Papilo in just 3 minutes into the extra time… And that

Was how the messy game became a message.

A lot can still be done this year to make it a glorious year, the remaining part of the year is sufficient to define the whole year. Don’t

Lose hope now, never give up, for It is

Too early to give up on your beautiful

Expectations for this year. It is not over until

God says it is over, wipe off the tears.

In the remaining days and weeks of this

Year, try to;

1. Review

2. Restrategize

3. Relaunch.

Resist the pull of fatigue regardless of the past disappointments and delays.

*IT SHALL BE WELL WITH YOU*

Part 2 my story

Me: I can never forget this 96 Olympics for two reasons. I was in prison then on the orders of Abacha. One of my fellow State house prisoners was a former bodyguard to Abacha so he had some influence. He was a Northeast Christian by name Turaki. I learnt that Major Mustapha adopted a lot of northern Christian orphan men and trained them as his fearsome BGs because they were courageous, intelligent and principled. Turaki arranged for a TV to be brought for us. It was kept in the officers’ office and we few State house prisoners were brought out to watch. At every goal I would return to the cell and inform the other prisoners who would scream “it’s a goallll!!!” belatedly and second handedly.

That day there was no officer and no prisoner – we were all Nigerians!

Even the prisoners forgot about the monumental injustice that Nigeria was to them under which they were languishing. We were fed only two times a day but no food on Sundays.

But the second reason I can never forget it is that it brought about my freedom. I learnt that Gen Abacha wanted Nigeria to win so badly that he asked his marabouts what he could do to guarantee their victory. They told Abacha he must do sadaka to atone for his evil deeds. Abacha sent for the list of State House prisoners. We were four. Being the evil man that he was, he released only two. Turaki was not among. As his BG, he knew too many secrets…

That was how God used football to save me. It is only now as I am seeing this post that I understand the depth of the miracle God performed against Brazil in Atlanta to see me out. How unsearchable are his ways. His great love is past finding out!

Jacob said “God was here and I didn’t even know it.”

Those players played for my freedom and they didn’t even know it nor did I.

Part 3: fast forward to yesterday.

Last night I went back to the Aso rock presidenvilla where I had been a prisoner. NIDCOM gave me a Diaspora role model award at Aso Villa Presidential Banquet hall presented by Minister of State Foreign Affairs.

Ironically the foreign affairs ministry was asked to revoke my passport under the last administration.

Incidentally the head of that repressive regime that fought me abroad just passed the week before.

Coincidentally one of the schoolgirls I sponsored abroad became a U.S. citizen also that week.

Amazingly the Nigerian Female Soccer Team the Falcons came back from a similar 2-0 deficit to Morocco to an incredible win – just like the Brazil match that won my freedom in summer 1996 – on the very night of my award, at the presidential villa where I was once a prisoner, on July 26, 2025!”

“God, I saw what you did there…” he closed to enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Ogebe recounted that it was an honour that out of 20 million Nigerians abroad, he was one of 20 selected from all the continents for a national award.

He attributed it to his Tigris connection stating how, after receiving a flight credit gift card for achieving two million miles on an airline, he decided to use it to fly to Nigeria to produce a play something he hadn’t done in decades.

The lawyer/playwright stated that upon landing Abuja and turning on his phone, the first thing he saw was the email notification of the award from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission for “development of the law” and being “a role model” abroad.

On his part, host of the Tigris Show now approaching its 10th year, famous saxophonist Bidemi Treasure, said he was always enthralled to hear Ogebe’s testimonies saying the two go back decades to the early days of Abuja.

“He and his white colleague go to villages where you and I here in Abuja won’t dare to go,” he marveled. “I too recall that 1996 match. I was in Bauchi. We stopped watching the match thinking all hope was lost.”

Ogebe remarked that his children in the U.S. grew up listening to Bidemi Treasure’s music and appreciated his consistency.

•Ogebe was one of only a few from north central Nigeria to win the Diaspora National Merit Award for 2025 given last weekend.