…demands recognition for old football fans
The Air Peace Diplomacy Wall of Fame held Friday evening at the Grand Ballroom, Eko Hotels, was a night of top class fun, entertainment and glamour, just as it was also an event, that evoked fond memories of the glorious days of the past and retired Nigerian football stars and athletes.
The event sponsored by Air Peace and in collaboration with Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, saw 57 dead and living legends of Nigerian sports including Modupe Oshikoya, Davidson Andeh, Charlton Ehizuelen, Baba Otu Mohammed, Haruna Ilerika, Christian Chukwu, Emmanuel Okala, Muda Lawal, Segun Odegbami Adokie Amaesiemaka and several others received awards and cash prizes, courtesy of the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema.
Speaking with journalists at the event, National Chairman of Nigeria and Africa’s foremost football fans group, the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Ambassador (Rev). Samuel Ikpea, who led the world famous band of the NFSC to the epochal event, commended Air Peace, NIIA and of course, the facilitator of the event, Chief Segun Odegbami, for deeming it proper to celebrate the life and times of the Nigeria athletes to the boycotted 1976 Montreal Olympic Games and the history-making 1980 African Cup of Nations winning team.
“I thank and commend Air Peace and all the organisers of this event, for putting smiles back on the faces of these our sporting heroes and heroines. Really, it’s never too late to celebrate our stars,” Ikpea remarked.
The amiable and softly-spoken NFSC boss, expressed his misgivings concerning the age-long seeming apathy to celebrating and recognising past heroes of Nigeria sports, a jinx, which he noted has now been gladly broken by Air Peace.
“The jinx seem to have be broken now. Moving forward, it’s time corporate organisations, well placed individuals and the government follow cue, and give due recognition and supports to other stakeholders, like football fans.
“I’m making a personal and selfless appeal that the members of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, who have always played the impactful roles as the 12th player on and off the pitches, whenever our various national teams are playing should also be considered for recognition.
“We have several members in the NFSC, who have been following and supporting Nigerian teams across the world for several decades and spending their personal hard-earned money and times, even at the risks to their lives and fortunes in the support of their fatherland.
“Some of these unsung patriots are dead and some still alive. We pray that other organisations and individuals, would follow the good steps of the CEO of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema in this regards,” Ikpea appealed in an emotion laden tone.
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