Salute to great Nigerian patriots in sport

Segun Odegbami

Life is, generally, not easy for most Nigerians now. It has not been for several years. It is worse if you are a retired athlete. To be an ageing retired athlete is the worst condition imaginable in Nigeria. The country is littered with our pathetic stories of a generally excruciatingly painful, difficult and frustrating life.

Some good Nigerians have been applying soothing balm to the pains of retired athletes. There are also sportspersons whose exploits have been inspiring, providing relief and hope not just for athletes, but for the entire country.

Of course, we know and acknowledge the previous interventions of Femi Otedola, Babatunde Fashola, Mike Adenuga, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and a few others, but permit me to salute a few more today. In the midst of all the current challenges of life and of living in Nigeria, they are touching lives, alleviating physical and mental stresses without demanding any gratification in return.

This day, I want to lift them up with my humble voice to the Creator of the Universe, in supplication and gratitude. Allen Onyema

I shall not be tired of singing his praises. By the time you are reading this on Saturday morning, I shall be having a first taste of my new status as Airpeace Ambassador. I shall be taking a free flight out of Lagos to Abuja, testing the efficacy and efficiency of the process, and sharing the experience later with all Nigerians.

Since July 28, 2023, the lives of all the beneficiaries of his benevolence have not been the same. My ears are filled with the ceaseless expression of gratitude by the 40 surviving athletes and the relatives of those that have passed on, all recepients of the generosity of a great Nigerian patriot and philanthropist.

On behalf of all the