Following the controversy surrounding the Nigeria U-23 departure to Brazil for the Rio Olympic Games, Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung made a blunder while briefing the press on the situation.
The minister, who was trying to distance the sports ministry from the predicament facing the Dream Team VI, refereed to the U.S as “The United States of Nigeria”.
Dalung said,” Our U-23 team are suffering in the United States of Nigeria. “Who took them there? What are there for?
“Because they are U-23 and they went to US and they are having problems, does that become our business?”
These are the clowns that are ministers under @MBuhari, hear Solomon Dalung disgracing Nigeria as usual pic.twitter.com/nr8scZSK4o
— TheNews.NG (@TheNewsDotNG) August 4, 2016
This didn’t go down well with Nigerians, who took to twitter to lash out on the minister, with some going ahead to blame President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Dalung in his cabinet.
Meanwhile, Samson Siasia and his boys took off from the United States early Thursday and are set to arrive Brazil later in the evening in preparation for their opening game against Japan by 2am on Friday morning.
See their reactions below:
Dalung should be managing Ojota park and not Nigeria sport. He looked exhausted like he’s coming from cultist gyrations. Shame.
— Biodun #LetsGist (@Amourab) August 4, 2016
Dear God, why do you have to punish us with people like Buhari and Solomon Dalung? Please fix this!
— sunny bridge (@sunnywinehousse) August 4, 2016
???? These are the clowns that are ministers under Buhari, hear Solomon Dalung disgracing Nigeria as usual pic.twitter.com/2yGE1QfgoF
— Jaymi (@mrJaymi) August 4, 2016
When you hear that Dalung will have U23 team of United State of Nigeria will play their match via Skype pic.twitter.com/TYYezAs90J
— Biodun #LetsGist (@Amourab) August 4, 2016
The World is making fun of us. Well done president Buhari. Well done Solomon Dalung
— Klavan (@fernante_mote) August 4, 2016
That is how Buhari and Dalung Changed the federal Republic of Nigeria to United States of Nigeria without our consent.. #Incompetency100%
— The Juggernaut Esq (@KcUzoka) August 4, 2016
Dalung with his red beret looking like a cultist
— Obinna Ogboso (@obinna_ogboso) August 4, 2016
If you are from United States of Nigeria with Solomon Dalung, please stand up!
— I Am Enyene!!! (@ThaVincent) August 4, 2016
I just changed my ringing time to that United State of Nigeria by Solomon Dalung. Aba boys over to you, I need the short ASAP
— Biodun #LetsGist (@Amourab) August 4, 2016
The starch in his khaki has adverse effects on his reasoning”@Osi_Suave: How is Solomon Dalung a Federal Minister?.”
— Wole Jeje. (@washbaba11) August 4, 2016
At least Buhari should get this right. Sack this Dalung guy before Monday. This is rubbish.
— Daddy P (@Punthief) August 4, 2016
its Tax payers money that is used to pay that ignoramus called Solomon Dalung…that imbecile that looks like Gateman for bank. ?..
Omg! ???— JOSH (@Joshariez) August 4, 2016
“United States of Nigeria”… Honourable Sports Ministers!
Dalung is a national embarrassment.— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) August 4, 2016
Just saw the Solomon Dalung’s video now. That’s below the belt mehn…. Big Shame
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) August 4, 2016
The face you make when you watch that dalung video. pic.twitter.com/y61Ij2mOX9
—LOPEZ IYKE (@lopexiyke) August 4, 2016
Instead of focusing on starting a ?? petition against Solomon Dalung we are celebrating Aisha Buhari ‘s TRIUMPHANT entry into Washington DC
— EseOsagie (@penndpaper) August4, 2016
After waiting for 6months for our able ministers to be announced….. PMB gave us Dalung. United states of Nigeria #Laughinginspanish
— Mercy Ohajuru (@mercyohajuru) August4, 2016
When U see a minister wearing red beret like boys scout, then U know something is wrong.
Dalung is a disgrace to Olympic & sport.— «Man of the People»™ (@Don_KK) August 4, 2016
I cant even begin to talk about Solomon Dalung… Apart from being an incompetent sports minister… I heard he is a lawyer too.. ???
— JOSH (@Joshariez) August 4, 2016
I’m Not shocked at Dalung saying United States of Nigeria after all our consulate in New York doesn’t have electricity.
— Omini (@OminiAho) August 4, 2016
This is the worst football administration I have witnessed. Solomon Dalung should have resigned by now for this national embarrassment
— Oke (@stalyf) August 4, 2016
Who knows, Maybe they have been planning to rename Nigeria. Dalung mistakingly let the cat outa d bag…United States of Nigeria
— samson chyka (@myredzonez) August 4, 2016
Dalung is one of the ministers Buhari made us wait 6 months to appoint. Sigh!
— OPEMIPO ☺️ (@Buki_Jaggz) August 4, 2016
Our Red beret Minister of Youths & sports development, Dalung said USA is United States of Nigeria. Damn! There’s Jst no boredom in Nigeria
— Felix Bissong (@_Xandel) August 4, 2016
Hilarious video: Dalung reacts to stranded U-23 team in Atlanta, calls it ‘United States of Nigeria’: Nigeria… https://t.co/26AAKDHC9m
— Linda Ikeji (@lindaikeji) August 4, 2016
Solomon Dalung has no business as minister of youth & sports. Please, ditch the “Youth” in the portfolio. @MBuhari @NGRPresident @AsoRock
— Visit #TWOREPORT (@telemaspeaks) August 4, 2016
Dalung my son. let this your marijuana smoking not remove this my daily enjoymentiiooo. United states of Nigeria ? pic.twitter.com/hpN5ZnT7iD
— McAnthony (@softpulse1) August 4, 2016
“There’s no cause for alarm & no need to panic. Our target is to win 10 medals in Rio.” ~ Solomon Dalung (July 2016) pic.twitter.com/yV8hHCKCXx
—EiE Nigeria (@EiENigeria) August 4, 2016
These are the clowns that are ministers under @MBuhari, hear Solomon Dalung disgracing Nigeria as usual pic.twitter.com/nr8scZSK4o
— TheNews.NG (@TheNewsDotNG) August 4, 2016
It took Buhari 6 months of searching for the best to appoint Dalung, Shittu, Mama Taraba, Amaechi, Dambazzau, Onu, Audu Ogbe
— iBelieve (@fransysok) August 4, 2016
Dalung’s just a donkey, he can’t escape the sack for this embarrassment. He just can’t… https://t.co/9L5xtDK0xZ
— Olumide Mynder (@rednym) August 4, 2016
* United States of Nigeria *
Press: Why so?
Dalung: I put some Respeck on it pic.twitter.com/ixpaTU1mmz
—A Nigga Has No Name (@cajenwaeke) August 4, 2016
After waiting for about 6 months to announce his ministers, @MBuhari ended up putting square pegs in round holes, i.e. Fashola, Dalung, Lai!
— SADIQ SHITTU (@SardhiqeDaniels) August 4, 2016
The blame is on Buhari…not Dalung! He spent 6 months just to appoint clowns like Solomon Dalung into his cabinet ?
— Sidney (@sidramatic1) August4, 2016
In a govt that has Adeosun managing our economy, Dambazzau in charge of internal security and Audu Ogbeh reviving Agric; Dalung is at home.
— The Son of Man (@olufemisp) August 4, 2016
Until we really change how ministers are picked, we’ll continue to have clowns like dalung
— Y.O. (@yojora) August 4, 2016
Excerpt from Solomon Dalung’s video interview. Imagine a whole Sports minister!
Little wonder he locked his twitter. pic.twitter.com/9Z3RSXXd5z— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) August 4, 2016
In as much a I hate comparisons, but this Solomon Dalung guy is no different from that NSCDC man that said “My oga at the Top”
— Denzel (@KingDenzzy) August 4, 2016
@TheYomiKazeem very annoying…no one seems to be blaming d man dat appointed Dalung…d most incompetent staff in history…#dalungout
— VeeRock (@veerockdbeat) August 4, 2016
#Breaking a whole minister makes the biggest BLUNDER of the millennium…Solomon Dalung ‘mistakenly’ calls “United State of NIGERIA”.
— Hypebuzz Vibes (@Hypebuzzvibes) August 4, 2016
Someone just fell down and died while laughing at the “United States of Nigeria” comment made by the red beret Dalung
— Nuatin️™ (@AreYourOrLah) August 4, 2016
You’re just mean. Damn! Anyways Dalung is the minister of youth and sports. https://t.co/Ilkbj7AZq4
— Nerdy (@Nerdy_Dopey) August4, 2016
Me, when I heard Dalung saying United States of Nigeria pic.twitter.com/Jxe0ggpDlf
— Muslims Identity (@i_amtemmy) August 4, 2016
What if the president makes Bolaji Abdullahi the min of sport, Lai Mohd Ambassador to Saudi and Dalung Ambassador to Venezuela
— Olukayode bakre (@kayodebakre8) August 4, 2016
Besides Dalung’s dressing, what Dalung is really known for is his meeting with militants,town hall meeting in plateau & Olympic scandal..
— Y.O. (@yojora) August 4, 2016
Once kemi Adeosun simple maths failure, now Dalung United States of Nigeria. See the shame @APCNigeria and @MBuhari has brought unto us.
— Famakinde Olumide. A (@Olu_mind) August 4, 2016
You want to know how Buhari think, look at his ministers & aides.
From Femi to Garba, Dalung to Dambazzau, Onu to Mama Taraba— iBelieve (@fransysok) August 4, 2016
When the head is rotten, the body cannot be good.
That explains the case with Buhari and Dalung. Incompetent President and Minister.
— A Big Nwa (@Oddy4real) August 4, 2016
It took Buhari 6 months of searching for the best to appoint Dalung, Shittu, Mama Taraba, Amaechi, Dambazzau, Onu, Audu Ogbe
— iBelieve (@fransysok) August 4, 2016
But that’s true oo, it took Buhari 6 months to appoint his Ministers and what did he gve us Solomon Dalung and Minister of Darkness. CHANGE
— Christian Djazz (@Iamdjazz) August 4, 2016
Sports Minister Solomon Dalung Calls USA ‘United States of Nigeria’ @EmekaEnyadike @Joe_Maluleke pic.twitter.com/laKnbnRxY7
— Clyde Tlou (@clydegoal) August 4, 2016