George Aluo — When the curtain is drawn in the Nigeria 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup tomorrow in Abuja, one special feature of the competition which won't be forgotten in a hurry is the Vuvuzela noise.

At all the venues, from Abuja to Lagos down to Calabar and Kano fans have fallen for the Vuvuzela as they blow it ceaselessly. Even when the stadium is not filled to capacity, Vuvuzela makes it look like a full house.

Before now, Nigerian soccer fans never go to the stadium with any kind of trumpet or Vuvuzela. They at best join members of Nigerian Football Supporters Club or the fans club of their favorite team to sing any of the popular soccer choruses.

But trust Nigerians for their penchant to copy anything in vogue in other lands. During the FIFA Confederations Cup mid this year, South Africans, painted their stadiums red with Vuvuzela. Few months after, virtually everybody has caught the Vuvuzela fever in Nigeria.

One man that has, however, risen to condemn the importation of the Vuvuzela culture to Nigeria is Dr. Rauf Ladipo, President-General (Worldwide) of Nigeria Football Supporters Club.

Ladipo, apparently not happy that the Vuvuzela noise has eclipsed the dancing and drumming of his men on the stands, said what he called "the Vuvuzela nonsense" must stop.

"I am totally against this Vuvuzela nonsense. It is not our style of supporting the game. The blaring of Vuvuzela is a big distraction even to the players. When you blow Vuvuzela, you can't be said to be supporting any team. To support a team the players must understand your language and what you are saying to urge them on. Vuvuzela is alien to our football culture and we will fight its introduction," Ladipo said.

Ladipo who is the chairman of the Nigeria 2009 mobilisation sub-committee, said his group (Supporters Club) will not abandon its traditional way of urging Nigeria teams on.

"We will continue with our unique way. Our style has endeared us to the world. We can't afford to change it because of Vuvuzela. No way," Ladipo.

Well, while Ladipo is busy opposing the new trend, those who produced the Vuvuzela in the country are busy smiling to the banks.

One thing that is clear is the fact that whoever is behind the Vuvuzela project will make some huge profit after Nigeria 2009, even when the organizers of the competition proper will be counting their losses in millions.