From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Former Green Eagles legend, Dr. Olusegun Odegbami (MON), has made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government, Edo State Government, the Nigeria Football Federation, the National Sports Commission, and well-meaning Nigerians to urgently come to the aid of ailing football icon, Kadiri Ikhana (MON).
In a statement obtained by our correspondent, Odegbami described Ikhana as “an ex-soldier, footballer, and member of the victorious 1980 African Cup of Nations team,” adding that he was also a key figure in the Bendel Insurance FC squad that dominated the Nigerian football scene in the late 1970s.
“Kadiri Ikhana is one of the most successful coaches in the history of domestic football in Nigeria. Sadly, he is now lying critically ill in Auchi,” Odegbami wrote.
According to him, a former Chairman of the South-South Police Service Commission, Hon. Austin Braimoh, brought Ikhana’s condition to his attention and encouraged him to speak directly with the ailing former coach.
“I spoke with ‘Kawawa,’ as I fondly call Kadiri. He had been referred and moved to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State for urgent medical investigation and blood transfusion to save his life. Hon. Braimoh has been shouldering the bills so far to keep him alive,” he said.
Odegbami added that in a faint voice, Ikhana pleaded with him to ask Nigerians to pray for him. “That’s what I’m doing now. I’m asking Nigerians—please pray for our hero,” he wrote.
While reflecting on Ikhana’s condition, Odegbami also revealed that news broke as he was concluding his statement that former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, had both passed away on the same day, July 13.
“May the Creator of the Universe accept their souls in His eternal home,” he wrote.
He urged Nigerians not to forget their sporting heroes, especially those like Ikhana, who gave their best to bring glory to the country.