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IASC Above45: ‘I Took After Rashidi Yekini’ – Jokesman Reveals
Barrister Chijioke Iziolu Jokesman has attributed his impressive goalscoring instincts to confidence, discipline, and the influence of late Nigerian striker Rashidi Yekini, following another standout performance in the Island All Stars Above 45 Football Tournament.
Jokesman was on target again for his team, producing another quality finish despite carrying a groin injury that had already affected him in the opening game of the tournament.
Reflecting on the encounter, the veteran attacker described it as an interesting contest, while admitting that his team was missing several key players.
“It was a very interesting game even though most of our players were not around. Our midfield wasn’t together, but we give God the glory for the result,” he told SPORTS247.
Jokesman also stressed the importance of sportsmanship, insisting that football should always be played in the right spirit.
“Most of my goals are classy goals, but it is just a game. Fair play is what we preach in every game,” he added.
The experienced forward revealed that his groin problem from the first match had not completely healed before he featured again.
“In the first game, I had a groin after scoring. I tried to manage it but was substituted. Today, the groin wasn’t fully healed, but I wanted and needed to play,” he explained.
The injury returned after he scored, forcing another substitution. Jokesman believes his absence subsequently affected his team’s attacking threat but remains optimistic about returning fully fit for future competitions.
“I pray that by the next tournament, my leg will be perfectly okay, and you will see what we can do,” he said.
‘I Took After Rashidi Yekini’
Asked about the thinking behind what has been described as one of the best goals of the tournament, Jokesman revealed his confidence in his positioning and finishing ability.
“I knew once my positioning was right, the ball would enter the back of the net. I’m a good striker and confident with my abilities if there are people to feed me with the ball,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with Nigeria’s legendary goalscorer, Jokesman added: “I think I took after Rashidi Yekini. I believe strongly that an attacker must be able to shoot.”
He explained that his ability to strike with both feet remains one of his major strengths.
“My strength is in my shot, and I make use of both feet — left and right. Once the ball is right, I can strike from any angle,” he stated.
At almost 54, Jokesman believes his longevity is a product of discipline and urged younger footballers to maintain healthy lifestyles, train properly, and avoid habits that could undermine their careers.
He advised aspiring strikers to embrace discipline, self-restraint, proper training, and adequate rest, insisting that with the right attitude, “the sky is your limit.”
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested scores of suspects and recovered illicit drugs across the country.
In a statement on Sunday, the agency said it recovered 966,200 tablets of Tramadol 225mg worth over N1.1 billion concealed among thrift trousers in a 21-carton consignment from Pakistan, and 57.80kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, worth over N173 million in street value, hidden inside cartons of disposable hand gloves in a shipment from Singapore at the Lagos airport.
According to the NDLEA, the recovery came weeks after its operatives, customs and other security agencies conducted a joint examination on Thursday.
“In one of the week’s most brazen discoveries, a 20,000-litre fuel tanker marked MKA 960 XC, and notorious for evading arrest in the past, was chased down by NDLEA officers along the Akoko/Lokoja expressway in Ondo State on Friday, 4th September, after its driver refused to stop,” the agency noted.
It explained that the driver later abandoned the vehicle at a church premises in Ugbe Akoko and fled into the bush, noting that a search of the tanker revealed a false compartment concealing 165 bags of cannabis weighing 2,145kg alongside its legitimate fuel cargo destined for Jos, Plateau State.
The NDLEA further disclosed that barely a month after three suspects: Yashim Dauji, Larry Ifeanyi, and Joseph Moji were arrested at Tincan Port in Lagos over the seizure of 842.54kg of cannabis-laced cookies, “another 598.08kg (890 packets) of similarly infused cookies and gummies were on Wednesday 2nd September intercepted in a 40-foot container at the port and linked to the suspects already in custody”.
According to the agency, its operatives recovered 864,000 pills of opioids, especially tramadol, from a residence linked to a fleeing suspect, Patrick KC Frank, whose Honda Civic car rammed an NDLEA patrol vehicle before he escaped.
“In another interdiction operation in Michika area of the state, a major methamphetamine supplier from Lagos to Mubi and Michika axis, Calistus Ebubechukwu, 35, was arrested on Friday 4th September with a total of 2kg of the dangerous substance, while Attahiru Hussaini was intercepted with 750,027,530 pills of tramadol and other opioids concealed in a soap-laden Ford Galaxy bus marked JJM-953XD at Namtari check point in Mubi on Monday 31st August,” the NDLEA said.
While noting that three suspects: Saidu Mustapha, 35; Zaharadeen Salisu, 29; and AbdulSalam Abdullahi, 25, were nabbed with 636kg of cannabis concealed in chicken manure aboard a bus travelling from Owo, Ondo state to Jos, Plateau state along Okene/Lokoja highway in Kogi state, the agency said Kelechi Unachukwu, was arrested with with a cocktail of over 109kg of tramadol, diazepam, pentazocine, phenobarbital, exol-5, nitrazepam, bromazepam and pregabalin in Taraba.
Arrests and recovery of illicit drugs were also made in Kaduna and Ekiti states.
NDLEA chairman Mohamed Marwa commended all the officers for their efforts, urging them to continue the agency’s current balanced approach to drug control.
Mr Marwa added that the agency continues to track down traffickers who believe they can reinvent themselves under new identities or legitimate business fronts.
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