11th March, 2018
Lanre Babalola
Popular Nigerian footballer Chief Segun Odegbami, MON, has lost his mother, Madam Abeke Odegbami.
In his condolence message to the Nigerian international on Sunday, Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly tweeted: ”My condolences to my friend, Mathematical Segun Odegbami over the passing away of his beloved Mother. May her soul Rest In Peace. Amin.”
Segun Odegbami had last month on the occasion of the 97th birthday of his mother extolled her qualities, describing her as a discplinarian.
He stated: “I do not doubt the fact that I have a loving mother in Madam Abeke Odegbami who is presently aged 97. I will say it here that my passion for playing football made her to always beat me up mercilessly when I was young in Abeokuta. You see, in those days, she would expect me to carry out household chores but I would opt to go out to play football. Most times, during my primary school days, I would stay back and play football. So, while going home and knowing what awaited me at home, I would start to cry on my way home. This was the kind of relationship we had till I left the primary school.
”When I got to the Secondary school, the confrontation reduced because we used to close officially by 5pm. With this timing, she found it not too easy to confirm whether I played around or not. I would have played football to my satisfaction before going home. But on occasions when I had to attend to chores, I would sneak out to play and she would still beat me.
”Later during my secondary school days, I started becoming popular and this led to my prominence as a footballer. By the time God brought forth my glory as a footballer, I became my mother’s number one son. Today, she is one of those campaigning for parents to allow their children to develop God-given talents. May God continue to preserve her for me in sound health.”