₦airaland Forum

Former Nigerian international goalkeeper, Best Ogedegbe, has died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, aged 55 years.

The PUNCH had reported in its Monday edition that the Nigeria Football Federation Technical Committee Chairman, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, called on Nigerians to come to the former goalkeeper‘s aid, as doctors battled to save his life at the UCH.

The report had said that the Nigeria 1980 Nations Cup winner went to the hospital to receive treatment on a troubled eye but was admitted at the UCH‘s intensive care unit because the problem was beyond the complaint made by Ogedegbe.

He was part of the Green Eagles that won the 1980 African Nations Cup. He also won the African Cup Winners Cup with the defunct IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan (now 3SC Football Club) in 1976.

Ogedegbe, who was also the goalkeeper trainer with Nigeria‘s Under-23 squad that won silver at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

He also played for Abiola Babes in his hey-day and was a coach with Wikki Tourists Football Club until last season when he joined Dolphin United Football Club as a goalkeeper trainer. He left behind a wife and two children.

The spokesman of UCH, Mr. Kunle Atinwore, confirmed the development, saying Ogedegbe died of a brain tumour. He was reported to be in a coma after a corrective eye surgery at the

hospital.

He promised to provide further details later.

Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo, has asked medical practitioners and other operators of health facilities in Nigeria to save victims of gun-shot wounds and accidents before contacting police.

Mr. Onovo said this in Abuja following recent controversies and “allegations” that police banned the treatment of guns shot and accident victims without police report.

“At no time did the Police restrain medical doctors from attending to the needs of the victims.” Mr.

Onovo said thereby absolving police of the responsibility for the lives of all those that must have died because of the myth.

“All that the Nigeria Police Force asks of them is to first do their duties, and immediately thereafter inform the nearest Police station/formation of the presence of such wounded persons, as the Police may find reason to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the injuries or gunshot.