One of Nigeria’s most flamboyant boxers, Jeremiah Okorodudu is critically ill and has appealed to the government and sports loving Nigerians to pray for him and support him financially as he undergoes operation in Lagos.
Okorodudu who represented Nigeria excellently at the Los Angeles ‘84 Olympic Games besides winning medals at the Commonwealth Games and All African games at different times have been diagnosed of foot cancer at the Dans Hospital, Irawo, Ikorodu, Lagos and the leg would be amputated tomorrow, according to his wife, Mrs Atinuke Okorodudu Thursday morning.
Okorodudu’s predicament began with a partial stroke attack few months after losing his job as an Assistant National Boxing Coach with the ministry of Youth and Sports.
With noticeable pains and tears, the Delta-born Okorodudu said he has an unpaid bill of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) since being admitted at Dans Hospital and also not certain of getting N800,000 (Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) needed for the amputation.
“I’m in severe pains as my right leg toe has pulled off and I can hardly lift the right leg and arm at the moment. Please tell Nigerians not to watch me die in this terrible condition. Former Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Daire initially promised to revisit my abrupt job termination issue after supporting me with a token. I am yet to hear from him over two years now. Fellow Olympian, Mary Onyani – Omagbemi who the Minister mandated to be monitoring my situation has not got in touch with me. I am in serious pains and I need help urgently”, whispered Okorodudu in low tones amid tears while thanking his wife for being by him all along.
Mrs Atinuke Okorodudu revealed that her business had long crumbled since her husband’s health challenge and also joined in appealing for financial support ahead of the right foot amputation of Jerry Okorodudu tomorrow. She concluded that the Olympian’s family could be reached at Dans hospital, Irawo, Ikorodu, Lagos or on Telephone No. 08180458407.
