WHILE welcoming all our teeming readers to the year 2025, I have a message for Sports men and women especially those from Warri axis, taking a cue from the story of John Mikel Obi, former Nigeria Real International, (Real because he played so many matches and won laurels with his club) and Music icon, 2 face Baba.
The other story is from the relationship between Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.
The two events happened in the year 2024 and I am bringing this out because of the messages I heard throughout the festive period. It is a simple message(s) from all the Pastors to change our ways and embrace good behaviour.
My New Year message to all Sports men and women in Delta is to be their brother’s keeper.
The story has it that Mikel Obi snubbed 2face Baba, a music icon during a chance meeting in London. Mikel later revealed why he took the action against the Jos born music star.
According to Mikel,” We grew up together in Jos and you achieved fame before me. I reached out to you several times but you never responded. Then, the same God who blessed you answered my prayers and fame found me too”.
Mikel according to the story confirmed that he was shocked to see 2face Baba approaching him in London after years of silence.
“Now that I ve made it, suddenly, you recognise me. Life has taught me that no one wants to associate with failure. That’s why I stay on my lane for peace and only keep connections with those who stood by me before fame.”
Another story in my sermon to sports men and women from Delta is that of Brazilian midfield maestro, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.
Early in 2024, Ronaldinho was arrested in Paraguay for using a fake passport. First, he was locked up in a prison and later kept in a guest house. The report has it that Messi paid £1.3M to bail out his friend out of jail. The legend of Ronaldinho is one that goes greater than just football. The Brazilian icon brought a level of flair and excitement to the game and one of the most elegant players to step onto the football pitch.
Lionel Messi‘s emergence was effectively the beginning of the end of the Samba specialist’s time in Barcelona but the pair maintained a strong relationship on and off the pitch, with Ronaldinho assisting a then teenage Messi’s first ever goal for the club. Even in his retirement, the 44 year old close bond with the Argentine paid dividends when he was at the lowest point of his life.
According to Ronaldinho, when Messi bailed him out of prison, he was in a rough sport, completely broke.
“After paying for the bail, I went to show my gratitude and Messi gave me a signed Barcelona shirt, with signatories from him and some other players. He told me to sell it if I am willing.
He told me” you can sell it. They will buy it from you. The next day, a site called showing interest in the shirt but I refused. I told them, this is a gift from a friend and I am not going to sell it.”
“But to my surprise, I received money from the site without selling the shirt not knowing that they had contacted Messi and told him, I refused to sell the shirt. Messi then sent another shirt to them and asked them to send the money to me. Tears filled my eyes and I will never forget what Messi did for me especially after being betrayed by so many.” Said Ronaldinho.
The festive period was mostly the period when communities play their end of year local football competitions. I took time to attend some and I had the opportunity to meet some ex footballers. Some told me how they have been struggling to find their daily meal. Some told me they do menial jobs like moulding blocks and working in construction sites to be able to feed their family. It was an opportunity for me to ask about the family of those who have passed on their friends who are still very active. The revelation will shock you reminiscent of the one between 2face Baba and Mikel Obi. I was told of a particular player who rose to limelight through his exploits with Warri Wolves then but has refused to pick calls from his friends.
I remember vividly how the player (name withheld for now) emerged from nowhere until he moved to Portugal and from there to London and Turkey.
Some fans including yours sincerely had begged late Coach Solomon Ogbeide to sign him but was not been able to break into the main team. Thus, Warri Wolves was finding things difficult and late Ogbeide was to be sacked. I went to former NFF President’ House, Pinnick Amaju, there they were deliberating on whether to sack Ogbeide or not. I pleaded with Mr. Amaju to leave Ogbeide because the problem of the club then was not Ogbeide but spiritual.
Players create chances but failed to convert any. Amaju in his wisdom listened and asked us to go. We went into a prayer with a Pastor around Igbudu area of Warri. The next day, Ogbeide featured this unknown young lad and behold, he scored three good goals, a hatrick against Elkanemi Warriors of Maiduguri. The rest is history but the story is that he has forgotten his roots and no longer picks calls from his friends.
The said player who has lost his position with the Super Eagles for years now is not the only one doing this. They are many and my plea is for them to be their brother’s keeper like Lionel Messi.
They should emulate the likes of Taiwo Awoniyi who assisted Kwara Sports Writers (SWAN) to build their Secretariat. They should emulate Victor Osimhen who bought hundreds of tricycles for his fans and friends in Lagos. What shall it profit these Deltans if they gain the whole world and allow their fans and friends to die in abject poverty?
