President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, (NBB of C), Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, has appealed to the Oyo State government to immortalize the late ex-Commonwealth lightweight boxing champion, Dele Jonathan.
He made the submission while speaking with Tribunesport on Friday at the commendation service held at the indoor sports hall, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, in honour of the Nigerian boxing legend.
Ladipo expressed dismay that the Olympian who represented Nigeria at the 1966 Commonwealth Games and the 1968 Olympics was not accorded the burial befitting of a sports personality.
“Dele Jonathan, was a great Nigerian, a man who put all of us as a country on the world sporting map; somebody who made all of us happy and gave his best in the service of Nigeria.
“As far as I’m concerned, I think Nigeria need to appreciate Dele Jonathan for what he did especially for Nigeria in the world of boxing.
“We should not forget him. In fact, the government of Oyo State should immortalise Dele Jonathan by naming a place after him to keep his boxing legacy alive.
“Everybody knew Dele Jonathan served this country meritoriously, people in Oyo State knew that Dele Jonathan will be buried today,” lamented Ladipo, who is also the President-General of the Nigeria Football and other sports Supporters Club said.
Meanwhile, in her remarks, the daughter of the Olympian, Christiana Bamidele, decried lack of recognition from the Federal Government on the burial of her dad.
“In fact, my dad did not deserve what we are witnessing today or whatwe have seen so far here. Since my dad died on April 29, no support came from the authorities. I was not around but my brothers who were around wrote letters to the authorities and to so many individuals on the demise of my dad, but Nigerians seem to have forgetten so easily the contributions of my dad to the development of sports especially boxing in the state and Nigeria at large.
“I mean, it is shocking to have this kind of scanty crowd here in this hall to pay last respects to my dad. It’s so disappointing,” a worried Christiana told Tribunesport.
Also at the commendation service were the General Manager of the Oyo State Sports Council, Mr Gboyega Makinde; Secretary General of NBB of C, Mr Remi Aboderin and the Chairman, Oyo State Amateur Boxing Association (OSABA), Chief Baron Akintunde Opaleye, among others.
Meanwhile, the remains of the ‘Lion of Okeho’ would be interned today in his residence at Elewura Challenge, Ibadan, after a funeral service from 10am.
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