Rashidi Oshoba, Nigeria’s first Olympic torchbearer, has expressed deep frustration over what he described as years of neglect and unfulfilled promises from both the Federal Government and the Lagos State House of Assembly, saying he continues to struggle financially while waiting for compensation he believes he was assured.
Oshoba made the remarks in an interview with Punch Newspapers, where he recounted his meeting with former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 and subsequent engagements with officials of the Lagos State House of Assembly, both of which he said left him with expectations that have not been met.
The veteran sportsman said he has been left to survive through manual labour while trying to support his family, including children currently in tertiary institutions.
He explained that despite his role in Nigeria’s sporting history, he has had to take up bricklaying to sustain his household as he continues to wait for the fulfilment of the alleged promises.
“I don’t want to die before getting my dues. I want to leave a good legacy for my children. I have children in the university and I do bricklaying to feed them,” Oshoba said.
According to him, the financial hardship he faces has persisted for years, even after assurances he said were given during high-level engagements. He maintained that the situation has placed significant pressure on him as a father struggling to support his dependents through school.
Oshoba’s comments have once again drawn attention to the welfare of retired Nigerian athletes, many of whom have publicly lamented neglect and lack of institutional support after representing the country internationally……See More
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