An ex international Chief Segun Odegbami has called on Nigerians to immortalize their sports heroes to appreciate heroism and inspire the present generation.
Chief Odegbami was speaking on the BCOS TV sports programme SBS Show in remembrance of Nigeria’s late soccer legend Muda Lawal who died 29 years ago in Ibadan.
Late Muda Lawal and Chief Odegbami were among the history making set of the IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan who won Nigeria’s first continental title, the African Cup of Winners in 1976.
The duo were also active members of the nation’s senior male football team, then called the Green Eagles, who won the country’s first AFCON title in 1980.
Baring his mind to SBS Show’s anchor Boluwaji Ogunmola, the living legend noted with regrets that Late Muda Lawal and other heroes were not properly immortalized.
“Nigerians have many heroes not only in sports but also in various fields. However, we don’t appreciate our heroes. It’s saddening that there is nothing on ground in Ibadan, where Muda Lawal lived, toiled and died, to show his contributions to the development of sports in the city”, the former footballer known in his hey days as Mathematical Segun Odegbami said on the sports programme produced by Adewale Tijani.
The retired footballer who also delved into politics called on Nigerians leaders to immortalize the nation’s heroes to preserve their memories and legacies.
He then advised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to blaze the trail for other governors by putting structures in place to honour Late Muda Lawal and other Nigerian heroes.
“I enjoin the handsome governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde to do what other governors have not done by putting structures on ground in honour of Muda Lawal and other heroes”, Odegbami said.
The living soccer legend, fondly called Big Seg, further advised that legacies and families of the departed sports heroes should be taken care of and not allowed to suffer.