By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

Football, the world’s most popular sport, operates under a complex rulebook that extends beyond goals, offside calls, and fouls.

While millions of fans passionately debate refereeing decisions, certain lesser-known rules continue to surprise even seasoned supporters and professional players.

A recent incident involving Julián Álvarez in the UEFA Champions League highlighted the importance of understanding these intricate regulations.

Here are some lesser-known rules that often go unnoticed:

Double Touch on a Penalty Kick

A player taking a penalty cannot touch the ball twice before another player makes contact.

If the taker accidentally hits the ball onto their standing foot before scoring, the goal is disallowed. This exact scenario cost Julián Álvarez a crucial penalty.

Dropped Ball Must Be Uncontested

In the past, dropped ball situations were often fiercely contested. However, under revised laws, referees now return possession to the team that last controlled the ball before play was stopped, ensuring a fair and conflict-free restart.

Offside from a Goal Kick

Unlike standard offside rules, a player receiving the ball directly from a goal kick cannot be penalized for offside, regardless of their positioning. This exemption also applies to throw-ins and corner kicks.

Penalty Kick Must Move Forward

A penalty kick must travel forward upon being struck. If the ball is played backward—intentionally or by mistake—the kick is immediately ruled invalid, and the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.

Deliberate Handball to Pass to the Goalkeeper

A player cannot deliberately pass the ball to their goalkeeper using their hands, even from a legal situation such as a throw-in.

If the keeper picks up a thrown-in ball from a teammate, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.

While these rules may not come into play often, their enforcement can instantly alter the course of a match.

As seen with Álvarez’s penalty blunder, understanding even the most obscure regulations can mean the difference between victory and heartbreak.

By Ade Iyamoye

In Nigeria, power is more than authority; it is a prize, a privilege, and, for many, an obsession.1

The relentless pursuit of leadership positions, whether in politics, business, or even religious circles, reveals a deep-seated cultural reality: power is not just sought after. It is fought for—at any cost.

From local government offices to the presidency, from corporate boardrooms to community leadership, the battle for power is fierce. Election seasons turn into battlegrounds.

Friendships are sacrificed, loyalties are bought, and principles are abandoned, all in a desperate bid to secure a position.

Political aspirants promise heaven and earth, spinning grand visions of progress and transformation. But once they grasp power, the urgency to serve often fades. It is replaced by a tight grip on control and an unwillingness to let go.

Power at All Costs

For many Nigerians, power is not just a responsibility; it is a means to wealth, influence, and untouchable status.

The desperation to secure a position has created a culture where rigging, manipulation, betrayal, and even violence become acceptable tools in the struggle for dominance.

Political offices, for instance, are seen not as platforms for service but as personal empires to be built and protected.

Leaders often surround themselves with loyalists who shield them from accountability, ensuring that their reign is prolonged, even at the expense of the people they were elected to serve. Holding onto power, rather than delivering on promises, becomes the ultimate goal.

In workplaces, the same struggle plays out. Employees vie for promotions with cutthroat tactics, some going as far as sabotaging colleagues.

In religious institutions, leadership tussles are common, with factions forming around who controls donations, influence, and decision-making.

Even in student unions, the race for leadership mirrors national politics, complete with allegations of corruption and power struggles.

When Power is Won

Once power is secured, a different attitude emerges. The humility and urgency of the campaign phase give way to arrogance, detachment, and, in many cases, a blatant disregard for the people.

Public officials who once promised an open-door policy become inaccessible, traveling with heavy security convoys and addressing citizens only through official statements.

In many cases, leaders become consumed with self-preservation rather than public service.

They shift focus from problem-solving to maintaining their grip on power. They change constitutions, silence opposition, and distribute favors to loyalists who will defend their rule.

The hunger for power does not fade. It only evolves into a desperate attempt to retain it indefinitely.

Those who once fought to “change the system” often become the very embodiment of the problems they claimed to fix.

Breaking the Cycle

The obsession with power in Nigeria is deeply rooted in a system that rewards position more than performance.

Until leadership is truly seen as a responsibility rather than an entitlement, the cycle will continue.

A shift in mindset is needed—one that prioritizes service over self-interest, impact over influence, and legacy over longevity in office.

For Nigeria to progress, power must be earned through competence, exercised with humility, and relinquished with grace.

The real test of leadership is not in how fiercely one fights to gain power but in how well one uses it and how willingly one lets go when the time comes.

In a world where security threats are constantly evolving and societal complexities continue to rise, the demand for innovative and inclusive policing strategies has never been more urgent. National security challenges, social disruptions, and other multi-facetted hindrances in Nigeria require solutions that are both proactive and transformative.

In the field of political science, peace and security studies, and humanitarian studies, scholars have alluded to the nexus between these key concepts and national development in all areas, particularly economic growth. In the words of Ban Ki-Moon, former Secretary General of the UN, “Security and Development are two sides of the same coin. Economic stability fosters peace, and National Security creates the environment for economic prosperity.”

John F. kennedy also posited that “Economic strength and National security are inextricably linked; one cannot thrive without the other.”

Recognizing this need, the Nigeria Police Force, the lead security agency constitutionally saddled with the responsibility of maintaining the internal security of the country, is championing an all-inclusive policing approach that prioritizes full community engagement, inter-agency collaboration, and advanced technology utilization, to promote sectoral equilibrium in effective policing. This aligns seamlessly with the leadership vision of the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, who is committed to building a professional, service-driven, rule-of-law-compliant, and people-friendly police force in Nigeria. IGP Egbetokun doesn’t not limit his vision for all-inclusive policing to Nigeria alone. He has also extended same vision to the west African sub-region and African continent in his capacity as the Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO). His aim is to ensure that policing not only reinforces internal security but also contributes to national economic recovery, social cohesion, and political stability in line with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration in Nigeria.

Under IGP Egbetokun’s strategic leadership, the Nigeria Police Force has embarked on several bold policy initiatives aimed at strengthening internal security and accelerating national development. It is crystal clear that Nigeria Police efforts in managing herders/famers crises, communal disputes, settling labour disputes across all strata, and promoting social norms and values in Nigeria are far reaching and paying off, in the security architecture and economic growth in Nigeria.

In addition, the individual and institutional capability building strategies of the police force have occasioned a paradigm shift towards enhanced policing via training and retraining of officers in areas of professional conduct and science-driven policing.

One wonders how the IGP has continually snowballed his ideas in this regard to hosting conference and retreat for strategic managers and leadership of the Force, and refresher courses for other senior officers and rank and files, respectively to improve their effectiveness and efficiency in all areas of Policing. These efforts built upon the mindset of the IGP to host the 4th Annual Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers which held in Imo State in October 2023 with the theme; Fostering economic prosperity, social integration, and political development through enhanced internal security mechanisms. Continuing this trajectory, the IGP recently hosted the 5th Annual Conference and Retreat for senior Police Officer, held from February 24th to 26th, 2025, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with the theme; Improving Nigeria’s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity through Inclusive Policing

This landmark event, CARSPO 2025, brought together over 170 high-ranking security professionals, including senior Police Officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above, representatives from sister security agencies and distinguished international guests, such as CG Felix Namuhoranye of the Rwanda National Police and IGP Douglas Kanja Kirocho of the Kenyan Police. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in intensive deliberations on pressing issues in modern policing, intelligence sharing, and capacity building for law enforcement agencies. The conference culminated in a series of actionable resolutions designed to enhance the effectiveness and professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force. Some of the key takeaways include strengthening international collaboration with our counterparts from other African countries to combat cross-border crimes; implementing a comprehensive mental health policy backed by research to support officers facing psychological challenges; revamping the Counseling Unit with qualified professionals to address mental health concerns within the force; expanding inclusive recruitment and training programs to ensure a more diverse and well-equipped police force; introducing flexible policy reforms that adapt to emerging security challenges; establishing anti-crime clubs in schools to foster early crime prevention and youth engagement; encouraging officers to embrace risk management strategies that promote safety and resilience in policing; and enhancing specialization and professional development through continuous training tailored to modern security demands.

At the conclusion of the conference, IGP Egbetokun presented certificates of attendance to all participants, including guest speaker CG Felix Namuhoranye of the Rwanda National Police, in recognition of their contributions to the success of the event. IGP Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D.,NPM reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s firm commitment to leveraging inclusive policing, cutting-edge technology, and international partnerships to improve Nigeria’s internal security and economic well-being. The resolutions adopted at the conference will serve as a roadmap for strengthening law enforcement, fostering public trust, and creating a safer Nigeria.

As the Nigeria Police Force continues to refine and implement forward-thinking policing strategies, Nigeria can look ahead to a future where security is not just a government responsibility but a collective effort that bridges the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Through innovative policies, strategic collaborations, and a commitment to professionalism, the Nigeria Police Force is poised to reshape the country’s security landscape and drive sustainable national development.

The regime of IGP Egbetokun marks the first to have foreign IGPs and security diplomats across the world attend and participate fully in the conference and retreat and engagements of the Nigeria Police Force.His determination in bringing global collaboration, integration, and togetherness in fostering improved security in Nigeria and the African continent as a whole can never be overemphasized. The saying, “putting the right peg in the right hole” is ascertained by the appointment of IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, a scholar, philosopher, perfectionist and holder of a Ph.D in Peace and Security Studies, a great blessing to policing structure and national values in Nigeria.

Prince Muyiwa Adejobi, a Public Relations and law enforcement experts, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Princemoye@gmail.com 

5th March, 2025.