First vice-president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has reflected on the life and time of the soccer governing body’s former secretary-general, late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.
Sports247.ng can report that Akinwunmi was shocked to hear news of Ogunjobi’s death in the early hours of Monday, and lamented what he described as fond memories of the good days they both had together.
Ogunjobi, who captained then IICC Shooting Stars FC (now 3SC) to the final of then African Champions’ Cup in 1984, was sole administrator of the same club when they again reached the final 12 years later.
He also left huge footprints at Gabros International of Nnewi and Julius Berger FC of Lagos, before he was appointed secretary-general of then NFA in February 2002.
He worked with the board headed by Brigadier General Dominic Oneya and with Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, before leaving the post in 2005.
The following year, he was elected Chairman of Chairmen of Nigerian football, earning a seat on the Executive Committee led by Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi.
He was chairman of Technical and Development Committee, during a period in which Nigeria qualified and participated in every competition the country registered for.
During the Lulu presidency (2006-2010), with Ogunjobi as Chairman of Technical and Development Committee, Nigeria won the FIFA U17 World Cup (2007) and the Women Africa Cup of Nations (2006).
Nigeria also won silver medals at the Olympics (Beijing 2008) and FIFA U17 World Cup (Nigeria 2009) and gold at the African Beach Soccer Cup of Nations twice (2007 and 2009).
The country also played in the first ever FIFA World Cup held on African soil at South Africa 2010.
In reaction to hhis death, Akinwunmi, who is also chairman of Western Nigeria Football Forum, of which the late Ogunjobi was a strong pillar, said he found it difficult to believe the news.
The Lagos State Football Association chairman added that he saw in Ogunjobi, who was also a member of the NFF Reforms Committee of which Akinwunmi is chairman, a committed football lover.
He added that Ogunjobi’s passion for success was always capable of positively infecting and impacting anyone close to the former defender and administrator of repute.
Akinwunmi said: “It has taken me 24 hours to truly accept the reality of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi’s passage.
“True, it was confirmed to me by many who should know, including Tunde Shamsudeen (his sort of adopted son) and Ade Somefun (close friend and brother).
“I was even present when the NFF President spoke to his blood brother, but it was not until I woke up to remember my telephone conversation with Mazi Uchegbulam and read Big Seg’s tribute that it finally sunk in.
“He was a humble, charismatic and humorous personality. He was down-to-earth.
“For someone who had seen it all, from being a former international and hugely successful club player and administrator, to being the Chief Operating Officer of the NFF and later as Member of the Board.
“It is still like a bad dream. But we have to accept the reality that Chief Ogunjobi is no longer with us.
“He led very well and supported very well, at different situations. His life was a testimonial of integrity.”
