Henry Nwosu: JOF Chairman harps on need to honour sport stars while alive

By Ayorinde Oluokun

Dr. Olusegun Olugboyegun, the Executive Chairman of JOF Nigeria Limited, has harped on the need to honour Nigerian heroes, especially sport stars when they are alive instead of waiting till they are dead before coming up with glowing tributes to eulogise their achievements.

Speaking against the background of recent passage of legendary Green Eagles (now Super Eagles) captain, Henry Nwosu, Olugboyegun noted that though Nigerians are always very proud of their stars. and when they see them outside the country, they will you grab them, you want to have a quick picture with them, but here in Nigeria, they don’t always celebrate them.

But he noted that the situation always changes when those stars passed on.

“When they are gone, we then begin to say ‘do you remember this person, Chairman Chukwu and you go on and on. All the great things he achieved when he was here. But I think that is not so good, because that does not benefit the man who is gone,” he said.

Indeed, living true to this admonition, Dr Olugboyegun, a visionary and football enthusiast who have been sponsoring JOF under-13 football competitions with Lagos State Grassroots Football Association since 2020, had hosted some ex-super Eagle footballers and Legend Footballers group, Lagos State, comprising past national team players on Wednesday, April 8th, 2025, at the new JOF corporate headquarters in Oregun-Ikeja.

Henry Nwosu was one of the players present at the reception. The other ex-national football players present at the event held against the background of the death of Christian Chukwu are Godwin Okpara, Friday Elaho, Waidi Ipaye, Bright Egbayi, Benson Edema, Monday Kanu, Waidi Akanni, Fatai Amao, Humphrey, and Emmanuel David among others.

The football stars were entertained lavishly and given a special treat.

It was indeed a day of excitement for Henry Nwosu, judging by his comment and smile as well for other old round-leather kings who gave appreciation to their host.

Olugboyegun who noted that Henry Nwosu was one of the youngest among the stars he played with in the Super Eagles noted that more could be done to make former national football stars feel recognized, appreciated, and rewarded while alive.

According to him, “They, the old Nigerian football stars, need to know they were our heroes and feel valued in society for taking the country up there among the comity of nations in the past.”

“Let’s cherish our heroes while they’re with us. Let’s do it right now, tomorrow might be too late. Adieu Henry Nwosu, you have made your mark, and you will forever be remembered for being a dutiful player, ” that’s the message of Dr Olugboyegun.