Barrister Sam Okwaraji; Legend of Nigerian Football.

   "I am a lawyer you know, and I signed to play football for your club on certain conditions. But I don't think it included reselling my services to my country. You and the club cannot stop me from playing for my country. Let me tell you, I am going to represent my country in Italy whether you like it or not and I would very much like you to be there".
These were words spoken by the late midfield maestro Samuel Okwaraji to the manager of his club, SSV - ULUM 1848 in the presence of the then Nigerian Football Association Supremo, Group Captain John Obakpolor. After that, he allegedly took the Chairman outside and apologised to him for what had happened inside the Manager's office and gave him assurance that he will be in Nigeria for the game. A promise he fulfilled. What a professional!
   Before then, the club had requested the NFA to pay the sum of $45,000 as match bonus and compensation for expected loss of revenue from gate takings during the period of his absence away on national duty (he was that important to the club). The NFA Chairman managed to get a bargain of $15,000 but that did not go down well with Sam. An incident that gave rise to the statement above.
   A lawyer by training, with a Masters degree in International Law from the University of Rome, Sam Okwaraji was obviously an intelligent person and excessively gifted footballer. The Orlu, Imo State born midfielder anchored the Green Eagles midfield with grace and guile, with his flowing locks of hair. He was a great passer of the ball and a brilliant dribbler. Highly technical and tactical. He scored one of the fastest goals in Nations Cup history against Cameroun. The multi lingual footballer was said to have paid his way to national team engagements while other players waited for tickets from the national football body. He was deeply passionate and patriotic. He spoke constantly about helping Nigeria to the settle in comfortably in the international stage.
   During the World Cup qualifier against Angola on the 12th August 1989, he slumped on the left side of the field and died. Cause of death was later identified to be congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. His death occurring few days to the completion of his Ph.D Thesis, according to reports. Since his death, the Nigerian football house hadn't contacted his immediate family until yesterday when the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, in continuing with his transformative actions, called his mother. Beautiful gesture. Brief deviation; i am not in support of calls from some quarters that government should be taking care of ex national team players. I think it's wrong. Playing for the national team is not part of civil service. At the level of national team it is purely voluntary. Even in the private sector, an employee is expected to plan for his retirement. I believe that is why Pension Commission was set up where there is regulation regulation and monitoring of funds deposited by employers on behalf of her staff. That way, post retirement is taken care of. If a businessman however, decides to squander his savings and leave nothing post retirement, it is entirely up to him. Footballers debate that the game is business. I agree with them. But you cannot give the football-is-a-business narrative when it suits you and frown when used against you. That said, I frown at football administration in Nigeria over the Sam Okwaraji case because he is like a soldier who died in war front. Who buried him? Government? Football governing body? It's really a pity. Since he died of heart failure, he could be said to have literally played out his heart for Nigeria.
   Twenty six years on, nothing to cement his place in the Nigerian football landscape. A lot can be done. Barrister Sam Okwaraji died on the field playing for Nigeria. He should be immortalised. I heard there is a bust of him in front of the National Stadium Lagos. I never knew. That is quite strange considering the fact that I played football in that stadium for years. It must either be hidden by elephant grasses or its simply not conspicuous.
  As you rest on Dede Samuel Okwaraji, just know tha we are trying to bring Nigerian football to the level you dreamt it to be. Today, our footballers don't care about the nation. They are very far from the example you set. Your specie is extinct, but we remain hopeful. Continue to rest in the bossom of the Lord. You are gone, but never forgotten. Sleep on, baller.

Photo credit: Not mine.
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