On Wednesday August 12,it will be 26 years since our very humble , midfield maestro ,Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji ,slumped and died right inside the National Stadium while representing Nigeria in a world cup qualifier against Angola.
Okwaraji had a PHD in Law and a Masters Degree in International Law also. These academic heights never stopped him from showing exemplary humility as a player. He was always the first to arrive camp from his base in Europe unlike what obtains today that some players are begged to come and represent their fatherland. Okwaraji was known to foot his return tickets whenever Nigeria had a match unlike these days players insisted on return flight tickets from NFA before agreeing to wear the green white green jersey.
Okwaraji was damn too patriotic!!
Okwaraji used to carry some hefty bombs called shots in his boots!
Remember the goal he scored agaisnt Cameroon in 1989- a ruthless,balistic shot that knocked out the hand gloves off the hands the Cameroonian goalkeeper Joseph Antoine Bell- less than 21 seconds into the match. That shot was too hot.
And the penalty he scored agaisnt Algerian goalkeeper, Drid Naser Drid that nearly tore off the net in 1989 too.
So what did Okwaraji get after losing his life on the field of play on that fateful August 12 th, 1989? A weather -beaten statue erected at the entrance of the national stadium complex in Lagos and the N1Million support from Gov Fashola Raji in 2011 to the late player's widowed mother( Okwaraji was unmarried when he died).
Governor Rochas Okorocha approved a road to be constructed across a mini stadium named after Okwaraji in his home town,Umudioka,Orlu in Imo state,completely eliminating any hope of immortalising the gifted player. This is the governor of Okwaraji s state who wants us to take him serious but who has no respect for someone who sacrificed his life for Nigeria!
In commemoration of the death of Racheed Yekini in 2012, Vitorial Setubal of Portugal, the last club Rachidi played for named one entrance gate in honour of their late Nigerian striker,Racheed- something our football ruling body has never done for any Nigerian player or sports star.
I dey wait to see wetin the Amaju Pinnick led football ruling body will do to remember the exploits of Okwaraji,the hero who served this nation with his heart and might- 26 years after his death!!
What about Mudasiru Lawal??
Yisa Sofoluwe??
Racheed Yekini?? The first Nigerian to score in a world cup!!
Ernest Okonkwo the ace commentator
And so many many others.
Yet in our national anthem we recite......'' the labours of our heroes past...'''
My people, our heroes, till date,still labour in vain!!!

August 12th

tobimillar:
On Wednesday August 12,it will be 26 years since our very humble , midfield maestro ,Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji ,slumped and died right inside the National Stadium while representing Nigeria in a world cup qualifier against Angola.
Okwaraji had a PHD in Law and a Masters Degree in International Law also. These academic heights never stopped him from showing exemplary humility as a player. He was always the first to arrive camp from his base in Europe unlike what obtains today that some players are begged to come and represent their fatherland. Okwaraji was known to foot his return tickets whenever Nigeria had a match unlike these days players insisted on return flight tickets from NFA before agreeing to wear the green white green jersey.
Okwaraji was damn too patriotic!!
Okwaraji used to carry some hefty bombs called shots in his boots!
Remember the goal he scored agaisnt Cameroon in 1989- a ruthless,balistic shot that knocked out the hand gloves off the hands the Cameroonian goalkeeper Joseph Antoine Bell- less than 21 seconds into the match. That shot was too hot.
And the penalty he scored agaisnt Algerian goalkeeper, Drid Naser Drid that nearly tore off the net in 1989 too.
So what did Okwaraji get after losing his life on the field of play on that fateful August 12 th, 1989? A weather -beaten statue erected at the entrance of the national stadium complex in Lagos and the N1Million support from Gov Fashola Raji in 2011 to the late player's widowed mother( Okwaraji was unmarried when he died).
Governor Rochas Okorocha approved a road to be constructed across a mini stadium named after Okwaraji in his home town,Umudioka,Orlu in Imo state,completely eliminating any hope of immortalising the gifted player. This is the governor of Okwaraji s state who wants us to take him serious but who has no respect for someone who sacrificed his life for Nigeria!
In commemoration of the death of Racheed Yekini in 2012, Vitorial Setubal of Portugal, the last club Rachidi played for named one entrance gate in honour of their late Nigerian striker,Racheed- something our football ruling body has never done for any Nigerian player or sports star.
I dey wait to see wetin the Amaju Pinnick led football ruling body will do to remember the exploits of Okwaraji,the hero who served this nation with his heart and might- 26 years after his death!!
What about Mudasiru Lawal??
Yisa Sofoluwe??
Racheed Yekini?? The first Nigerian to score in a world cup!!
Ernest Okonkwo the ace commentator
And so many many others.
Yet in our national anthem we recite......'' the labours of our heroes past...'''
My people, our heroes, till date,still labour in vain!!!

bolded:

This is the remains of the once beautiful Sam Okwaraji stadium, Orlu, built by one-time Imo state governor to immortalize the late Sam Okaraji.

The present governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, damaged the stadium immediately after he came to office.

He later built these ugly blue roofs, perhaps to shelter him and people from rain whenever he visits for political campaign.

Friends of Rochas Okorocha everywhere, please tell him to repair this stadium without further delay.
The law of Karma works.