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60th Inter-house Sports: Okoku, Odiye donate sports equipment to St Finbarr’s College, Give scholarship in monetary form

 

 

 

Former Super Eagles star, Godwin Odiye and Paul Okoku have donated sport equipment to Saint Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos State, on the occasion of their 60th inter-house sports on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the school premises in Yaba.

The distinguished Nigerian ex internationals, who passed out from Saint Finbarrs College, also handed out an undisclosed sum of money in scholarship to the school through the Old Boys Association of the acclaimed secondary school.

At the colourful St Finbarr’s College 60th Inter-house sports competition, where the sports equipment donated by Okoku and Odiye were presented to a packed cheering crowd in the school ‘s sports complex, the school authority, parents, students, well wishers and disguised former students of the illustrious secondary, spoke glowingly of the humanitarian efforts of the US-based former students .

Okoku, a distinguished member of the Saint Finbarr’s College Old Boys Association and the vice captain of the 1983 Flying Eagles which became the first Nigerian team to participate in a FIFA-organised competition, alongside a legendary former defender,Odiye, donated the equipment to their alma mater, as a way of giving back to the college to promote sport among the students.

The sport equipment include adidas  jerseys, football boots, branded track suits, hoses and shin guards for the school football team.

The equipment and jerseys were presented by Friday Okoku to the school administrator, Rev Father Babalola Emmanuel, who was elated with the humanitarian gesture of Odiye and Okoku.

“We are grateful for this great gesture of you two and pray that you will see God’s goodness”.

Okoku and Odiye drew commendation from the President of the Saint Finbarr’s College Old Boys Association and veteran Nigerian actor, Patrick Doyle, for the gesture, during the presentation of the equipment at the sporting event, to the cheers of parents, teachers, school officials and students.

“Paul Okoku was the vice captain of the Junior Eagles called the Flying Eagles. That tem was the first team in Nigeria to play a FIFA-orgamised competiton. He went on to play for the Super Eagles before he went to America to study and he is still resident there till this day,” Doyle told the delighted crowd.

“The other is the legendary Godwin Odiye. Godwin Odiye is one of the greatest defenders on the continent and an old boy of this school. So on their behalf, he has sent his brother here to do the presentation. We have a good number of football boots, track suits for the the school, branded track suits for the football team, all the way from the United States.

“Adidas jerseys for the football team, who have shin guards, hoses and hand gloves for the goalkeeper. Ladies and gentlemen, I urge you once again, to applaud our proud old boys, Paul Okoku and Godwin Odiye. These jerseys are going to be worn in the final of the Heritage Cup and we are going to left the cup wearing these jerseys donated by these gentle men who were in this school many years ago.”

The thespian also appreciated the sense of giving back to the college displayed by Okoku and Odiye.

“These gesture that they have done shows that of a truth and in deed, they are appreciative of what this school did to them and for them. I am particularly proud of Paul and Godwin Odiye because these are sporting legends and they have found it first to give back to St. Finbarr’s. I just boasted that we would be wearing the jersey they donated at the next final of the football competition in Lagos State,” Doyle stated.

Also lauding the donation, Head Teacher of the school, Biyibi Victor, said the sport equipment will go a long way to motivated the school team.

“About a month ago, they (Okoku and Odiye) called me and told me that they would love to do that presentation. I said it would be took hidden if they come on an ordinary day. So I said they should come on the day of the inter-house sport; let the whole world know what they are donating to us, so that the publicity will shine on them, to show what they are giving back to their alma mater, which is a good thing to emulate,” he said.

The head teacher also said the donation will boost sport in the school and further enhance its rich sports history.

“It (donation) will go a long way to motivated the boys, being that these are old boys giving back to the school. And you know sport kits are very expensive now, so for them to do this is a very laudable experience for the boys and three boys will benefit from it because as a school, we don’t push sport aside, we put sport and academics side-by-side, just because the founder, Reverend Father Slattery was also a sport man and he loved combining academics and sports,” Victor stated.

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BREAKING: Finally, Popular Islamic Cleric Names Those Behind Terrorism In Nigeria

In light of the recent surge in security-related attacks and acts of violence throughout Nigeria, which have garnered significant attention from international communities, including the United States, it is evident that these events have deepened divisions within the country.

Investigations have revealed the identities of those responsible for orchestrating these acts, shedding light on the motivations and affiliations behind their actions. CLICK LINK TO CONTINUE READING.

 

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Mikel Arteta Tight-Lipped On Declan Rice Fitness After Arsenal Midfielder Hobbled Off In Brentford Win

Declan Rice limping off the pitch during Arsenal’s match against Brentford

Arsenal fans held their breath midweek when Declan Rice unexpectedly hobbled off during the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Brentford. And if anyone was expecting a clear update from Mikel Arteta, they certainly didn’t get one.

Ahead of Arsenal’s crucial trip to Villa Park, the Spanish manager remained intentionally cryptic — and for good reason. Arsenal’s injury list is growing, and every hour seems to matter.


Arteta Says: “Let’s See” — Patience Required On Rice

Rice has become the engine, heartbeat, and battery pack of Arsenal’s midfield since arriving from West Ham. His presence is so crucial that even a minor niggle triggers panic across North London.

Although Rice himself told reporters he felt “fine” after the match, Arteta isn’t rushing any verdict.

According to the manager:

“We have another training session in the afternoon. Every hour is going to be very important to see the availability of the players.”

Translation: Nobody knows anything yet — even him.


Arsenal’s Defensive Crisis Deepens

And Rice isn’t the only concern.

Arteta also confirmed that Cristhian Mosquera is facing an uphill battle for the Villa clash. With Saliba and Gabriel already sidelined, losing Mosquera too would leave Arsenal’s defensive unit looking like a Jenga tower leaning on hope and prayers.

Arteta put it bluntly:

“That’s the more complicated one… we need to corroborate with all the testing today.”

Meanwhile, hopes remain higher for William Saliba and Leandro Trossard, with the manager saying their situations are “a matter of days.”


January Window Already Open In Arteta’s Mind

Despite spending over £250 million in the last transfer window, Arteta hinted Arsenal may need to dip back into the market — especially with injuries hitting key departments.

“We always have to be prepared… we need to be open for it.”

In football language, that usually means one thing: Phone lines will be busy in January.


Fixture Congestion? Arteta Shrugs It Off

Playing midweek at Brentford and facing Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime is hardly ideal, but Arteta kept his cool.

“We are ready for tomorrow’s game, that’s for sure.”

Whether his squad physically is… that’s another story.


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World Cup No.7? Stunning Prediction as Cristiano Ronaldo Is Backed to Make History Again

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating in a Portugal jersey

Cristiano Ronaldo is 40, still scoring, still breaking records — and now tipped to do the unthinkable: play at a seventh FIFA World Cup.

With the 2030 tournament set to be co-hosted by Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, former Portugal striker Nuno Gomes believes the idea of Ronaldo saying his final goodbye at home could be too tempting for the all-time great to resist.


Ronaldo at 40: Still rewriting the record books

The Al-Nassr superstar continues to defy age, maintaining elite form in the Saudi Pro League and keeping himself available for Portugal. He currently boasts:

  • 226 international caps

  • 143 goals for Portugal

  • A lifetime chase for 1,000 career goals

Ronaldo has previously indicated the next World Cup would be his last — but as history shows, the GOAT often changes the script.


“Maybe even he doesn’t know yet” – Nuno Gomes

Speaking to talkSPORT, Nuno Gomes said Ronaldo’s longevity makes predictions tricky:

“Only him, or maybe not even him, knows the answer. He’s still fit to play. He’s still scoring goals. And in football, that’s the most important thing.”

Gomes admits Ronaldo is no longer the explosive teenager who dazzled at 18, but insists the forward remains efficient, dangerous, and an example for younger players.

He added that Portugal boss Roberto Martinez will also play a major role in determining Ronaldo’s future appearances.

Still, the romantic idea of a final farewell in Portugal at the 2030 World Cup might be the perfect ending:

“In four years we are hosting some games. Maybe it could be an opportunity to say goodbye at home.”


Euro 2028? Don’t rule him out

Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown also believes Ronaldo’s hunger will keep him going:

“If he can bring something to the squad, why not pick him? He’s still there for the younger players and wants them to do well.”

Brown insists Ronaldo won’t retire from international football until he retires completely — and that his belief, energy, and competitiveness remain unmatched.


So… will Ronaldo play the 2030 World Cup?

If his body holds up — and knowing the way Ronaldo trains — it’s far from impossible.
A seventh World Cup would make even more history and allow him to finally say goodbye in front of home fans.

And with CR7, you can never say never.

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