Air Peace, NIIA honour Chukwu, Odegbami, Okala, Others, Athletes, with ‘Wall of Fame’

Some of the former Nigeria Montreal Olympics athletes and the Green Eagles squad that won Nigeria’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 honoured at the weekend by Air Peace Airline in conjunction with the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) with Wall of Fame have applauded the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema for recognising them.

The 45 Nigerian athletes who were not allowed to realise their Olympic dreams in Montreal, Canada 47 years ago together with the 1980 Green Eagles team have been recognised in a timeless manner by Air Peace Airline and NIIA.

A monument was made to immortalise the Montreal Olympics athletes and the Green Eagles squad that won Nigeria’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980, with a timeless ‘Wall of Fame.’

The NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame stands about four metres tall in the premises of NIIA on Victoria Island, Lagos, with the names of the sports heroes and heroines boldly inscribed in fitting gold lettering against a black background.

Many of the athletes, who are now in their 70s, graced the ceremony, while those who are deceased, like footballer Muda Lawal, or were unavailable were represented by members of their family.

Segun Odegbami, who was one of the footballers, in the 1976 Olympics and 1980 AFCON squads, respectively was the brains behind the initiative to honour his colleagues, and he spoke of how the wounds of the past have been healed.

Odegbami said “One of the reasons we need to honour our sporting heroes with gestures like this is to showcase the effect and impact of their actions to the world, let the world know they deserve to be honoured.

“Today is a historic day that will be remembered for a very long time. Even some of the athletes who had not forgiven the country for years have now healed because of this great honour.”

On his part, Captain of the Green Eagles, Christian Chukwu, his counterparts, Emmanuel Okala, Felix Owolabi and Kadiri Ikhana expressed their delight with the effort to etch their names in gold.

 Chukwu and Okala acknowledged that the development has rekindled their hopes in the country, adding “This is something really commendable, coming from the private sector, especially Air Peace and Allen Onyema.”

They appealed that the young athletes would be encouraged to give their best in the service to the country.

Owolabi said “there’s no better way to honour those who have contributed to the development of sports in the country than the efforts by Air Peace and NIIA.”

Ikhana said “I’m really proud to be recognised for my contribution to sports development in Nigeria with this Wall of Fame.”

The Air Peace CEO Chief, Allen Onyema, whose company played a leading role in the event, commended the athletes for their selflessness.

Onyema said “These heroes deserve great honour for returning to Nigeria without causing any problems, without seeking asylum in Canada after the country had been withdrawn.

 “These are the heroes and heroines that should always be celebrated for their sacrifices.

 “Most of them never attended another Olympic Games after the Montreal withdrawal and we should always honour them.”