…Burial Rites May Start in Two Weeks’ time.
The corpse of the Nigeria’s Olympic Boxer, Jeremiah Okorodudu who died in a Lagos Hospital yesterday Wednesday was released to the family late on Wednesday night we can authoritatively disclose to you now.
The release was sequel to the payment of a balance of the debt money of N0.6m paid by a group known as FAMILY UNITED BY SPORTS (FUBS) coordinated by a Sports Journalist Godwin Enakhena but unfortunately the payment of the money which was made direct to the hospital’s GT Bank Account was administratively delayed and concluded about an hour after Okorodudu breathe his last.
Okorodudu’s corpse was withdrawn from the private hospital same Wednesday where he died in Surulere, Lagos and moved to a private mortuary in a satellite Lagos town.
Impeccable sources said although the family is having some challenges in the burial arrangements, a Service of Songs to herald his final journey home may come up in the next two weeks.
It will be recalled that we reported that Okorodudu died on Wednesday at a Lagos Hospital while awaiting amputation surgery and the hospital authorities vowed not to release his corpse until outstanding N0.6m debt is cleared as only N0.9m was paid as at Wednesday morning.
Every move to get help from his home State, Delta State and even Edo State where he grew up, proved abortive because of administrative bottle necks as they were waiting for letters to be written before support could be offered.
A grievous reporting mistake was committed when it was reported that former Deputy Senate President, Senator Omo-Agege who lost election as Delta Gubernatorial Candidate, sent in N100,000:00 on Tuesday night to shore up the money to N600,000:00 which was deposited to the Hospital account Wednesday morning. It was his brother Azania Omo-Agege who is the Vice President of the African Boxing Confederation and also Vice President of Nigerian Boxing Federation who actually paid the N0.1m. Patmos Media Line has sent him apologies for the error.
Among top people who gave funds through the Godwin Enakhena FUBS Group are Athlete, Yusuf Ali; Jonathan Akpoborie and Tayo Adesoji who each gave 100,000 Naira. Hon, Igali and an unknown person gave 50,000 Naira each among other donors.
It was gathered that in view of the fact that Jerry is dead, some Journalists close to the family have decided that people should not disturb his wife Adenike Okorodudu who is very distressed with calls. Anyone who still wants to assist the family is asked to send donations to Access Bank 1691216282 with account name as Adenike Okorodudu.
It was learnt that the surgery to amputate his leg would have been carried out by noon of Thursday, 22nd June if the funds were available. A Medical Doctor who pleaded to be anonymous said Jerry would have survived if the postponed schedule to amputate his leg were carried out last Saturday.
Okorodudu aged 64 (born 24th May 1959) has been down at Dan’s Hospital, 46 Thomas Laniyan, Irawo Busstop, Ikorodu in Lagos Nigeria for two years now with partial stroke and diabetics that brought foot ulcer awaiting amputation before he was taken to the Surulere Private hospital.
Jerry as called in boxing circles was a Bronze Medalist at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia from 30th September to 9th October and was controversially edged out at the quarterfinals of the 1984 Olympic Games at Vigil Hills on split decision of 3-2 by North Korean Sun Sho Shp which the Nigerian camp vehemently protested.
That 1984 Olympics was where Nigerian Boxer, Peter Konyegwachie won Silver in the Featherweight category and the Nigerian 4 x 400 Relay Men won Bronze.
Jerry was a Gold Medalist at the National Sports Festival, Oluyole ’79 which was my first professional outing with the Radio Organizations of Nigeria where I was the youngest Commentator under the leadership of both legendary Commentator, Ishola Folorunsho and Earnest Okonkwo and I was Stringer to Walter Batowei who led the Boxing coverage crew.
Jerry had 83 Amateur fights and 40 Professional boxing bouts but BOXING RECORD a publication on world pugilists’ states that Jerry had 21 international Pro bouts with 135 rounds and fought between 1986 and 1992.
Two memorable bouts will refresh boxing enthusiasts in Nigeria which was with Joe Lasisi. The first one at the National Stadium on 28th July 1985 Jerry had to retire with a broken right arm in the 2nd round. I was there and reported it for the Nation’s Model Station Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation OGBC. In the second bout between both boxers weighing 172 Ibs each on 16th December 1988 also at the National Stadium, Lagos Okorodudu claimed he was thumbed by Joe Lasisi but the score card read 68-65; 67-66 and 66-67 in favor of Lasisi.
Jerry told the media he was inspired to go into boxing from secondary school at Benin City in Nigeria through the brilliance of the man “that flies like a Butterfly and stings like a Bee”, Muhammed Ali who he never met.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
The Author, Eniola Olatunji (Formerly Yomi Kassim) has been in the media for over four and a half decades with vast experience in Radio Sports Commentaries and Newspaper reporting. He worked as Presenter/Producer on many radio stations and Reporter/Editor in some Newspapers,
