₦airaland Forum

lorretta u: They don't give us flowers

One's gotta admit that phones,hair extensions etc can be a little technical
Flowers are the bomb.
White/red roses(my favorites) can make a girl think of you forever. Yes

Wetin you wan use am do, na efo tete, or ugwu abi na gure? that's another Race's culture not yours, learn to appreciate your culture

Obiagelli: now this is what I call a debate, good job sincere9jerian for clearly winning this. I accept defeat for now.

.....not convinced

Obiagelli: sorry I forgot the " "clueless" ijaw fisherman"

You are simply pathetic Jonathan deserves the real 'thumbs up' and not your pungent remark on Jonathan!

Jenams: Rubbish! Its high time he takes those mad man symbol off his head.

Lol

I can never forget the jerry-curl wearing Jerry Okorodudu of the '80s, he brought glamour and class to the boxing world especially in Africa during the 80s so much that those of us who enjoyed the sport back then cannot keep our eyes off this wonderful boxer. However a fight was scheduled to hold between him and the Ilorin-born Joe Lasisi and after the bout, Jerry Okorodudu never regain his popularity as he was nearly killed in the ring enjoy the interview he granted below;

Former African boxing champion, Jeremiah Okorodudu, tells ’TANA AIYEJINA about his running battle with the NSC, his love for music, his ill-fated fight against Joe Lasisi and lots more in this interview

You have had lingering battle with the National Sports Commission over your reinstatement as a staff of the sports body. What is the situation now?

The legal adviser of the sports ministry, Mrs. Chiwendu, told me that the new minister is interested in my case. She said they will prepare some money for me to come to Abuja, so that the minister will put the matter to an end. I am happy and hope that the minister will fulfill his promise because it has not been easy. I don’t have money to pay my children’s school fees. People see me wearing good clothes; it’s by the grace of my friends and family. That is why I am still living. I can’t represent Nigeria and don’t have anything to show for it. I have tried for this country; I have produced lots of boxers, who have won medals for Nigeria at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. I trained Samuel Peter here (Lagos), David and Emmanuel Izonritie and several others. But today, they look at me with scorn as if I have not done anything for this country. It’s not good for sports development. Government can create an avenue for people who represented the country to work and make money, like sending coaches to zones to breed boxers. That’s a way of empowering us because we are no more active athletes but coaches.

How has your family coped with the breadwinner without a job for several years?

I thank God my wife is working; she is the breadwinner of the family. My children do complain. During celebrations for this year’s Children’s Day, they said they wanted to go to National Theatre, Iganmu. I said, “Kids, I will go to the stadium to see if I can get money for you.” Meanwhile, I asked their mother, “How much do you have?” She said, “N5, 000.” I said, “Please use the money to take the kids to the National Theatre to celebrate like their mates, I will pay back.”

Maybe things would have been better if you had gone to school.

They keep talking about education. It’s not that I didn’t go to school; I attended Technical College Benin City and studied stenography through Samuel Ogbemudia’s scholarship. I know how to type and write shorthand but when last did I type that I would go and start looking for a typing job? The only thing I know now is coaching; I went to America to study boxing. If I die now, they will bring me to the sports hall and say things they don’t know about me, just like it happened to Rashidi Yekini. I just hope the minister gives me back my job so that my family can have something to eat. I will forever remember him if he does that for me.

What effect do you think treating retired sportsmen unfairly will have on the up-and-coming athletes?

It has affected them. I don’t know about other sports but a lot of our boxers have left for other countries to train there and even represent these countries. Who is going to stop them? You cannot stop them because they see the older ones like me. What do we have to show for our hardwork? I went to the Olympics, I did well, in two Commonwealth Games, I won medals, in pre-Olympics, I won a silver and was named African Best Boxer of The Year in 1985 but today, what do I have to show for it? Davidson Andeh was a world champion, who won a gold in world boxing championship for this country as an amateur. He trained me, Charles Nwokolo and a lot of other boxers, but today, he sleeps at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. Also in Benin, Roland Omoruyi, my Olympic captain rides okada (motorbike). It was (Lucky) Igbinedion that once took him off the street but the man has left office and Omoruyi has returned to riding okada. There are a lot of us who have nothing to show for what we did for this country. It is not our fault.

Why did you choose boxing ahead of football and athletics?

Boxing was my dream. I watched Mohammed Ali when I was growing up; I read about him and heard stories about him. So I wanted to be like him. Aside Ali, I wanted to be like Fela because I also wanted to go into music. By the time I left school, my dad wanted me to go to the Univeristy of Benin and I said, “Papa, if I go to UNIBEN, I am going to study music.” The man was very annoyed. He said I should pack and go to my mother’s place. That was how he drove me out of his house. I also told my mother, “I want to box, I want people to know me.” My mother encouraged me and took me to the stadium. That was how I started boxing. I also sang in the church and I combined the two. I was the band leader for the then Bendel State team. In 1993, I released my first album, ‘Jerry without gloves.’ I was nominated for FAME Music Awards as Best New Artist of The Year. Daddy Showkey won it but being nominated showed I tried as well. My father came to the launching and he said, “So you still continued with your music?” I said, “Yes papa,” and he replied, “God bless you.”

What was your first experience in the ring like?

I was beaten up by Folorunsho Jacob, a soldier from Ekenwa Barracks in Benin City. He had represented Nigeria before. I fought him, but the man beat me so much that I could not chew meat; all my face was swollen. And my mother said, “It looks like you are going to stop boxing.” I said. “Mama, I will not.” Then Bendel State boxing coach, Isaac Ikhuoria, said, “You have the heart to box.” He gave me a pair of boxing shoes, pants, vest and bandage. For about two weeks I was home, I couldn’t go to school because of the beating. That was how I came into boxing.

How did you come to limelight?

I won silver at the pre-Olympics in 1984 and I was named African Best Boxer of The Year in 1985. I think the turnaround came in 1984 before the Olympics. I was always in the news telling Nigerians that I would win a medal at the Olympics. I won all my fights till the quarter-final when they stole my fight and gave it to Shin Joon-Sup of Korea. The Olympics was my last event at amateur level before I turned professional. My professional days were sweet. I was winning all through till I fought Joe Lasisi and he broke my wrist.

You were the glamour boy of Nigerian boxing in the 1980s.

I just wanted to create a name and style for myself because I wanted to be like Ali, talk like Ali and box like Ali. That time, they used to call me The Urhobo Lip, like they called Ali The Louisville Lip. They also called me Flamboyant Okorodudu. Much thanks to Lagos sports writers; they made me what I am.

How did you cope with the women?

There were a lot of them. If I was doing what I was supposed to do, my children would have been over 20 by now. But I grew up in a Christian home and it didn’t affect me. I have four children today.

Were you able to manage your money properly?

I will give thanks to late Yinka Craig of NTA. He was a good manager. He taught me things I never knew. He encouraged me to build a house in my village. I don’t stay there now, but my extended family does. I pray I build a new house because I have given it to my family.

You stayed in America for several years. Were you ever a victim of racism there?

Yes, when I got married. There was a bar very close to my house, where I wanted to hold the celebration. I invited Christian Okoye, the American football player, Innocent Egbunike and some other of my Nigerian friends. My wife told me, “Honey, black people don’t come here.” I said, “In my country, there is nothing like black or white. We are all the same.” I didn’t know the woman, who owned the place, had called the police. They came and said, “Who is celebrating?” I told them it was me and I showed them my California boxing license and the officer said, “Hey, you are an Olympian.” And when he saw Okoye and Egbunike, he was shocked. He told the woman that we were sportsmen and that he would pay for everything we took. It was less than $500.

Is it true that the use of charms is common in Nigerian boxing?

It is true especially Lagos boxing. When I told people what happened in the ring when I fought Lasisi, nobody believed until they confessed 10 years later through Hunter Clay inside the stadium. He said he took Lasisi to Isale Eko to get some charms before the fight. He said they didn’t want to kill me but they only wanted to bring down my popularity. He said it would happen to me anytime I fought again. But I leave everything to God. I told him, “I have forgiven you; if I don’t, God won’t forgive me. Go and buy me a drink.” But anytime I see Lasisi and try to talk to him, he shuns me. That’s not right. I knocked Ghana’s Joe Allotey out, beat him so much but we were still best of friends before he died. That is how sports should be.

What actually happened in the ring against Lasisi?

I was not seeing Lasisi; everything was wrong in the ring. I wasn’t boxing like I used to. I hit him and my bone cracked in the fourth round. I managed it and fought till the eighth round. In the sixth round, I told Charles Nwokolo, “I am not seeing this guy (Lasisi).” He said I should stop the fight but I felt I could finish him off with a left hook. Coach Samson Aransiola would always forget to give me my mouthpiece and the water he gave me was hot. Everything was wrong and so in the eighth round, I raised up my hands that I could no longer box and my fans was crying. I defeated Virgil Hill in Germany in pre-Olympics but he defeated Lasisi in a world title fight.

When were your best and worst moments?

My best moment was when I had my first daughter. I was just 22 and I went to the Olympics. A lot of NNB players like Henry Nwosu, Stephen Keshi, Sunday Eboigbe were my friends and they sent presents to me. My daughter was a lucky girl because I went to the Olympics, which for me, was a success. My worst was when I lost at the Olympics. If I had won the Olympics, things would have been better than they are now.

Would you encourage your daughters to become boxers?

I have four girls and none of them will box and I mean it. I don’t advise women to go into boxing. I don’t like women boxing.

What is your advice to up-and-coming boxers in Nigeria?

If they want to box, they must ensure the sports council in the state employs them so that if they can no longer fight, they will empower them. They should also go to school so that if they are sidelined, they can fall back on their education.

http://www.punchng.com/sports/lasisi-used-charms-to-win-our-fight-okorodudu/

If one considers the submission of Ronaldo very well, he is definitely not far from the truth, Messi is in a different class, many times C. Ronaldo sympathizers (no longer fans now) are damn too emotional when it comes to the FIFA Ballon D'Or! Despite all the noise about Ronaldo's sudden burst at goals from August till date, a look at the intimidating records of Messi below when presented with the same opportunity tells a lot:

91 Messi world record (2012)
90
89
88
87
86
85
84
83
82
81
80
79
78
77
76
75
74
73
72
71
70
69
68
67 C. Ronaldo 2013
66

After the Blatter incident, Ronaldo played 8 matches, scored 16 goals including 3 hattricks and 1 brace.Suddenly Ronaldo fans saying this is the best performance ever.

From 15th February 2012 to 25th March 2012 Messi played 8 matches, scored 21 goals including 2 super hattricks,2 hattricks and 1 brace.Nobody bated an eyelid.
This is the class of Messi

Brazil legend Ronaldo has backed Barcelona forward Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or for a fifth straight year.

The Argentine has slipped to third-favourite to win the Fifa accolade with the bookies, behind Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo and Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery.

But the former Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabeu striker suggested Messi can take home the award once again and tipped the Argentine to come back strong from his current injury, which has seen him sidelined for the remainder of 2013.

"I think Messi will win the Ballon d'Or again," Ronaldo is quoted as saying by Marca.

"Messi has spent the last five years playing so many matches and he is the biggest star in world football. Now, this injury isn't serious, but maybe resting will allow him to recharge his batteries."

Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or twice in his career - for his performances in 1997 and in 2002.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1785/fifa-ballon-dor/2013/12/04/4453336/ronaldo-i-think-messi-will-win-ballon-dor

@ OP, Nothing my brother, nothing

This is GOOD NEWS still no escape route for my Funky Mallams to count their cows, rams, camels, sokoto ghudalis, donkeys as humans come 2016!

Kai Africa is one Pathetic place, see buildings......like say we dey 18th Century Anyway good one there to my hommie Jim Iyke

Mr Gazelle, hear what this goat has to tell you.....

[quote author=realsui-generis]Which Rivers State? The one I visit atleast once in a month? Pls what is there? KangarOo road project that will never end? Causing terrible traffic every where in PH? Pls don't say what u don't know ok? U can equally substantiate your point with picture Evidence. And mind you don't go and show us picture of one small street road construction.[/quote]You dey mind the clown

I can never forget that Album ACE and the banger SHINAMANIA that was the era wey 'Music Make Sense'

Concerning the politics of bitterness and gross betrayal introduced into the political mainstream of the Nigerian Politicosphere, definitely, I did not open this thread for nothing.....https://www.nairaland.com/1040728/yoruba-race-problem-too-many

Bishop, una no go kill pesin here ***I am choking, I am choking***

Bishop Magic: By ratification you mean a non opposed nomination i.e. the likes of Remi Tinubu never got a challenger for the nomination.

How convenient!

Remi Tinubu own sef small, what about Tinubu's daughter, Folashade Tinubu Ojo, installation as the new Iyaloja of Lagos and the President General of the Market Men and Women of Nigeria 'just like that' without any open contest These elements (APC e-touts) are delusional

The question to ask now is, what has this coffin-shaped head Governor done with the N257 billion given the State from the Federation Account for the past 10 months? Amaechi is becoming a nuisance lately!

I have always maintained that the level of politics and scheming going in Churches are more than what you see in Aso Rock, Governor Offices, National & State House of Assemblies! Many of the top Pastors in Redeemed have been revealed to be after Pastor Adeboye's life and the reason lies majorly on money and positions in the Church! God pass dem, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye will outlive his enemies, so shall Tomakint outlive his enemies too! If you believe you will outlive ur enemies, click 'Like'

@Tomoarika, will you come back here and finish your fantasy before I.........

twentycent:

I no go forget you

My thought on the 2015 Presidency:......Jonathan only needs to clinch 35% to 40% of the core North votes and the rest is history........

taharqa: Without a Doubt!!..... I spent d larger part of yterday's Evening watching Videos from diff sources on d Agric Transformation led by this man, and was Woo-ed. I particularly watched most that had to do with Rice, esp this year's Dry Season Rice farming (1st time in Nigeria's history, I think Or in a really long time) And some Rice Mills that have opened up in d last 2-3 years (I watched d Video of about 7 of them although they said there was about 14 that have opened- IRS Mills in Kano, Labana Mills in Kebbi, Adani in Enugu, Kuarra Mills in Kwara, and 3 in Ebonyi). I am gathering the Videos and accompanying Articles, so as to open a thread here soon

The man is an ENIGMA! Congrats to him, this is a sure candidate for Governor anytime, any day!

Tambuwal! That name is not tushed enough to be my President, I have a President already who will take me through till 2019! Jonathan till 2019!

youngprofdguru: Sorry. Bro but the topic graphics are OK but it's meaningless...... am sorry No fp for dis

Did I ask you?

[quote author=Ken_Jak]Rubbish.[/quote]You mean Nigerian Tribune (founded and nurtured by the Late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo) is now 'rubbish' that's why you guys (APC e-touts) are damn too pathetic!

[quote author=Sunny_bobo]With a lil tushing up, she could be the most beautiful first lady [/quote]I dey tell you, with money....anything is possible with a wor-worlistic babe

Longeria: Jonathan is a true stateman.

For real