A befitting feather on late MKO Abiola’s cap

Some news headlines have a way of playing costly tricks on the readers. On Thursday, I woke up to a news headline that the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, had renamed the Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO Abiola) Stadium in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Instantly, my heart skipped a beat because I thought the […]

Some news headlines have a way of playing costly tricks on the readers. On Thursday, I woke up to a news headline that the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, had renamed the Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO Abiola) Stadium in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Instantly, my heart skipped a beat because I thought the governor had decided to rename the once abandoned sporting edifice after himself or a political godfather.

However, after reading the full story, I discovered that the governor had only enhanced the honour earlier bestowed on the late business mogul and politician when the state-owned sports facility was named after him. Henceforth, instead of the MKO Abiola Stadium that we all are used to, it will now be called MKO Abiola Sporting Complex.

The governor, who disclosed this recently in Abeokuta as the state prepares to host the delayed 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF), explained what led to the name change. According to him, the sports facility had recently undergone massive transformation from a basic stadium to a complete sports complex that will now accommodate multiple sporting events.

Governor Abiodun was quoted as saying, “It is no longer just a pitch and a track. It now has a brand new world-class pitch, a new international standard track, modern scoreboards, digital floodlights, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a warm-up pool, tennis courts, basketball and handball courts. All these developments rightly make it a sporting complex.”

• National Assembly must be intentional in e-parliament adoption – Clerk
• One-party State: If this is what Nigerians want, so be it – Ganduje

“We are going to do the official renaming of that stadium from MKO Abiola Stadium to MKO Abiola Sporting Complex, and I think that is justifiable.”

This is no doubt a laudable development, but like earlier stated, when I first read the headline, my initial reaction was similar to what I read happened long ago when a British newspaper reported that Arsenal would play without Dicks. When a former Arsenal player named Dicks was injured, a newspaper initially reported, “Arsenal to play without Dicks,” but the coach was upset, so the headline was changed to “Arsenal to play with Dicks out.”

That headline change was said to have increased the number of women who attended the match because they obviously didn’t wait to read the full story. The headline was what informed their decision to troop to the match venue. In the end, they were all disappointed because no ‘Dicks’ were out. Funny enough, I also fell for the headline that announced the renaming of MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

Having said that, I commend the governor for upgrading the MKO Abiola Stadium to a sports complex. The bold decision will no doubt impact positively on sports development in the state. The sports complex, which now accommodates different sporting facilities of international standard, will not only cater for the needs of the forthcoming Gateway Games but future competitions that would be hosted in the state.

Most importantly, despite the upgrade, the facility is still named after MKO Abiola. Retaining the name of the sports complex is worthy of commendation because Abiola contributed immensely to sports development in Nigeria. Before his death in 1998 under highly controversial circumstances, the Ogun State-born businessman, politician and philanthropist had demonstrated uncommon passion for sports, especially football. He owned and single-handedly sponsored the popular Abiola Babes Football Club, which made waves on the Nigerian and African football scene.

The club, which became a beautiful bride, attracted some of the best players in Nigeria and other African countries who couldn’t resist the whiff of Abiola’s money. I remember how the Kpakor brothers, Terfa and Moses, and the ‘Human Express’ Dominic Iorfa left BCC Lions to join Abiola Babes after the 1985 Challenge Cup final, which the Lions of Gboko narrowly lost 1-2 to their more experienced opponents.

Still playing in the lower division of the Nigerian league, BCC Lions, inspired by the trio, gave Abiola Babes – a star-studded side – a run for their money. With the help of these three players and many other talented players the industrialist moved to Abeokuta, Abiola Babes won their second Challenge Cup trophy in 1987.

Apart from Abiola Babes FC, the philanthropist supported other sports in Nigeria. No wonder he emerged as the undisputed Pillar of Sports in Africa because his support transcended Nigeria to other African countries.

Despite his busy schedule, Abiola made it a point of duty to follow his football club to away matches, especially during international competitions. Sadly, even before his death in 1998, Abiola dissolved the club, citing unbearable frustration in the hands of football authorities.

However, within the period that the football club lasted, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland (supreme military commander) distinguished himself as a passionate supporter of football. He made the club a role model to be emulated. Abiola and another millionaire from the South-East, the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, actually set the pace for private club ownership in Nigeria.

Therefore, nobody raised eyebrows when the Ogun State Government decided to name the stadium in Abeokuta after him. Similarly, when the Abuja National Stadium was renamed as MKO Abiola National Stadium Abuja, there were no dissenting voices because those who knew the man and his selflessness unanimously accepted that he deserved even more honour.

Conclusively, Governor Abiodun’s decision to upgrade the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta to a sporting complex in honour of the illustrious son of the state should inspire other leaders to leave enduring legacies that would be cherished and respected even after they are gone. The name, Abiola is uplifted again because of the selfless services he once rendered to the country, most especially in the area of sports, where he etched his name in gold.