Super Eagles’ immediate past media officer, Toyin Ibitoye has revealed how being very close to Nigerian athletics legends, Sunday Bada and Bisi Afolabi helped him get a better understanding of life as an unpredictable journey, megasportsarena.com reports.
He recalled that Bada and Afolabi never came across as students who would grow from their humble beginnings at Saint Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin into the global stars that they eventually became, hence the lesson he learnt never to underrate anyone based on lowly status.
He went on to affirm that knowing how Bada and Afolabi emerged from near obscurity into the international spotlight helped him build-up on the passion he had for analyzing sports during his days in secondary school.
The erudite former spokesman of the Eagles added that he was opportune to rub shoulders with Bada and Afolabi before they went on to become star athletes for the country, and he is now using that experience to encourage any current student who is aspiring for greatness in sports, with an assurance that they too can become great in any endeavour they aim to engage in.
He used the examples of Bada, who he disclosed was the head boy and his senior by three years, and Afolabi, who he said was his junior by two years at the same institution, but recalled that they both did not appear like they would become super stars in latter years.
While lamenting that Bada is now late, Ibitoye recalled how the head boy grew from nothing into something, making his marks with the Nigeria Police and track and field national team, with which he won many global laurels, while Afolabi also went on to become an Olympic Games’ silver medalist in the women’s quartermile event.
He reckoned that getting involved in school competitions, like a students’ scrabble event he was invited to grace at Ikotun area of Lagos on November 13th, was a good route towards laying a good foundation for greatness and success in sports, but stressed that it depends on the students’ ability to maintain the right attitude and commitment in keeping their visions alive.
Although the competition held just few hours before the Eagles lined out in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone at Samuel Ogbemudiua Stadium, Benin City, Ibitoye said he opted instead to stay back in Lagos in order to attend the event that held in the school hall.
He used the occasion to provide a rundown of his career progression as a football enthusiast and analyst during his days at school, which crystalised into him commencing a career in journalism from his days as a member of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from University of Ilorin, where his passion for analyzing sports hit a crescendo and snowballed into broadcasting.
Ibitoye, who turned up for the occasion with his loving wife, enjoined all students in attendance to make the best of each opportunity they get to take a step forward in life, as he warned them that nothing good comes easy; though he also assured them that they can make their desired progress through hard work and prayers to God for guidance and support.
The highly respected Ibitoye also cited the example of Wellington Jighere, who continues to gain global acclaim as a top scrabble player from Nigeria, then concluded with a reel of prayers and prophetic declarations for the students, as he expressed a strong belief that his visit to the school would yield strong dividends in years to come.
Ibitoye declared at length: “Opportunities are hard to come by, and one opportunity lost may never be regained. That’s why we have to take each opportunity whenever we get one. Don’t let your opportunity slip by. That means you have to put in every effort to make the best of every opportunity you get in life.
“I had the opportunity of seeing two people very close to me grow from nothing into something. One of my seniors, though now late, never appeared like someone who could get something big, let alone talk about becoming a champion for Nigeria in athletics.
“Same was for one of my juniors, who went on to become a top female quartermiler and even won a silver medal at the Olympics. While we were in school, no one thought any of them would become great sports stars. That is the same feeling we may be having about some of you here.
“That’s why I want you to take this game of scrabble very seriously; because it is part of sports that can take you very far in the world. I know a young Nigerian who became a world champion in scrabble and he got the opportunity of meeting our former president, Goodluck Jonathan.
“Though it might be regarded as a small sport by many people, scrabble has become as relevant as any other sport. Through scrabble, that young man got the opportunity of a lifetime. He went all over the world, he became a world champion and he met the president. You can do the same if you take each opportunity you get seriously.
“I also want to encourage you with my humble story – from Kogi State to University of Ilorin. I started sending stories to Multi Sports newspaper in Lagos as a youth corps member. Then I began to appear on television as a sports broadcaster; and one of my friends remembered how I used to analyse football while we were in school. Someone then said ‘No Wonder.’
“As Super Eagles’ media officer, I remember all the people I met in the various places that I had the opportunity to visit across the world, and I give God the glory for making it possible. That is one thing you all must also learn to do. The Psalmist says except God keeps the house, the watchman watches in vain. That means nothing is possible without God.
“I remember how it was during the draw for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. It was in 2017, and I cannot forget the experience of a lifetime that I got. I remember being in line for meals along with personalities like Brazil’s coach, Tite and the veteran from Portugal. I felt like I was in a dream, but it was all real. It was another opportunity made possible by God.
“We must not stop believing in him. That’s why the Bible says we must work and pray. Once you play your part, God will do the rest for you. Through your trust in God and ability to work hard, your dreams will come true. Work hard and live a righteous life; many doors will open for you.
“Things may be tough at a point, but don’t you give up. Tell yourself, I will not give up and my dreams shall come true. Tell yourself, I am determined to succeed and I will be great through the grace of God. Always repeat this declaration: Whatever it is that I face in life I will not give up.
“That is another big way through which you can achieve greatness. Don’t give up. Keep trying and working hard, until you get what you want. That is the summary of this discussion. Make use of every opportunity you get, put your trust in God, work hard and don’t give up.”
