“I do not doubt the fact that I have a loving mother in Madam Abeke Odegbami who is presently aged 97. I will say it here that my passion for playing football made her to always beat me up mercilessly when I was young in Abeokuta. You see, in those days, she would expect me to carry out household chores but I would opt to go out to play football. Most times, during my primary school days, I would stay back and play football. So, while going home and knowing what awaited me at home, I would start to cry on my way home. This was the kind of relationship we had till I left the primary school. When I got to the Secondary school, the confrontation reduced because we used to close officially by 5pm. With this timing, she found it not too easy to confirm whether I played around or not. I would have played football to my satisfaction before going home. But on occasions when I had to attend to chores, I would sneak out to play and she would still beat me. Later during my secondary school days, I started becoming popular and this led to my prominence as a footballer. By the time God brought forth my glory as a footballer, I became my mother’s number one son. Today, she is one of those campaigning for parents to allow their children to develop God-given talents. May God continue to preserve her for me in sound health.” – Chief Segun Odegbami, MON, former Nigerian international football star…
Packaged by Olayinka Agboola
