What Sam Okwaraji Told His Club Before Death: Open Letter To Tinubu On The $4 Billion Insurance
OpenLife Nigeria reproduces issues, facts and demands for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on late soccer icon, Sam Okwaraji, who died on the field of play for his dear country, Nigeria. Born on May 19, 1964, this presentation of facts to Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s attention is coming just about two weeks after the 59th post humous birthday of the football legend.
To encourage dedication to national service and encourage upcoming sports enthusiasts, government is expected to re visit the circumstances surrounding Sam Okwaraji’s death in view of his commitment to add value to sports in his fatherland. Samuel Okwaraji :
The Lingering Story
He slumped and never got up.
He became fatherless at age 5. Mother saved up her little income to send him to Italy to study because of his exceptional brilliance. At age 23, he had both BSc and MSc in Law and at 25 he was going for his Doctorate in law. Outside his love for education, he loved football and decided to play professionally. He started his career in Ukraine at age 21 before going on to play for 3 other clubs. In 1988, he was called to play for the Nigerian National Team.
Then, his problems started.
His Club were not in support of his traveling to play for his country, Nigeria and he had this to say. “I am a lawyer you know and you signed me to play football for certain conditions but I don’t think it included reselling my service to my country. You or your club cannot stop me from playing for my country. Let me tell you, I am going to represent my country whether you like it or not.”
He continued representing Nigeria against the wishes of his club. He flew himself to and fro matches for Nigeria and refused match bonuses because he felt it was an honor. His Club still didn’t like it but he persisted. During a match “Nigeria vs Angola” in Lagos on 12th August 1989, it happened. At the 77th minute,
“He slumped and never got up.” By the time he got to the hospital, he was dead. Autopsy showed he had a heart defect.
Now The Problem Proper.
In Europe he had life insurance of over “$4 Billion” but there was a condition. He has to die in Europe to get the insurance, according to The Mail Newspaper. His family lost that money because he died playing for Nigeria in Lagos. What did Nigeria do for his family.
• 10,000 NAIRA Health Insurance. • Abandoned National Stadium was named after him. • The then Imo State Governor named a stadium after him. The stadium is an eye sore. •
The National Assembly in 2017 promised to take care of his family but till date….Nothing!
He has an 81 years old mother that saved everything she had to train him but lost him to Nigeria. The National Anthem says…”The Labour Of Our Heroes Past Shall NEVER Be In Vain…” It looks like his would be in vain as the promises the president made 63 years ago has not been met. He was said to have died of “Cardiac Arrest.”
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