Ernest Osogbue.
First bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s corporate giants, has unveiled plans to sponsor the Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Football Championship for secondary schools, in memory of late Super Eagles midfielder Sam Okwaraji. The Championship to be organized in collaboration with the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation, aims to raise Football stars who embody the values of the late Super Eagles star.
The football competition which is to be organized on a zonal basis across the country, would culminate in 12 qualified teams from the zones converging in Abuja, the nation’s capital, for the grand finale.
Speaking at the unveiling of the championship logo at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, the Managing Director, First Bank Plc, Olusegun Alebiosu, represented by the Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Olayinka Ejabi, stated that Samuel Okwaraji represented a rare breed in his short time with the Super Eagles, before his untimely demise. His love for Nigeria, patriotic zeal, and belief in education, were values which the bank believe should be ingrained in today’s youth. In line with First Bank’s corporate vision of backing patriotic initiatives which elevate Nigeria, there was no hesitation in aligning with the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation, on the initiative.
Also speaking, the Chairman Samuel Okwaraji Foundation, Senator Osita Izunaso, expressed his appreciation of First Bank, in embracing the activities of the foundation. According to him, Samuel Okwaraji deserves to be celebrated, and would remain alive as long as activities aimed at immortalizing his legacies remain viable.
The wide acceptance of the initiative was demonstrated by the presence of the cream of Nigerian sports administration at the event, which included the Director General, National Sports Commission, NSC, Bukola Olopade, the Director General, National Institute for Sports, NIS, Comrade Philip Shuaibu, the president of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Comrade Isaiah Benjamin, and representatives of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Nigerian Schools Sports Federation, among other stakeholders.
It would be recalled that Super Eagles midfielder, Samuel Okwaraji, collapsed and was later pronounced dead, during a World Cup qualifying match against Angola, on August 12th 1989, at the national stadium in Surulere, Lagos. He is widely cherished and remembered by Nigerians, for his patriotism of never holding the nation to ransom over ticket refunds, camp allowances, or match bonuses. He was simply always happy and proud to represent his country at personal costs. His style, also stood him out, as he played with a smile on his face, and his braided hair and dreadlocks, were the first of its kind in the Super Eagles. He was only 25 years at the time of his passing.
We wish to commend everyone involved in highlighting the legacies of Samuel Okwaraji, especially Senator Osita Izunaso, and First Bank Nigeria Plc. May Samuel Okwaraji’s legacies never die.
