By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos – Some boxing enthusiasts on Tuesday, eulogised Late Samuel Ogbemudia for his enormous contribution to sports development in the country, especially in boxing.
Ogbemudia, a former governor of old Bendel State, died on March 10, aged 84.
He was a onetime chairman of the Nigeria Boxing Federation in the late 70’s to 1984.
Jerry Okorodudu, a former athlete and a boxing coach, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that Ogbemudia’s contributions to boxing and sports generally would never be forgotten.
Okorodidu said that the country produced great boxers who performed creditably when Ogbemudia chaired the federation.
“Ogbemudias death is a big loss to the country`s
sporting realm, he was a good man who was so passionate about sports development in the old Bendel state and Nigeria.
“He ensured that all sportsmen and women in the state were either given scholarship or employed to work in the state.
“He was also a good administrator, he also built a boxing school in Afusa in Edo State,” he said.
Also, Obisa Nwankpa, a former national lightweight title holder, said that Ogbemudia brought light to boxing and other sports.
Nwankpa said that he represented the country in various international competitions due to Ogbemudia`s commitment to boxing.
“There is a whole lot I can say about the late Ogbemudia, most especially about boxing in Nigeria.
“He sponsored boxing competitions regularly and people like myself, Faitai Ayinla and Anthony Andek among others, benefitted from these competitions.
“I also remembered when he brought the Late Muhammed Ali`s coach, Ackimo to Nigeria in the eighties to train some coaches and boxers in the country, “he said.