Fulham of England midfielder, Alex Iwobi has come out with details of how he gained motivation to engage in acts of charity from watching his dad attend to people who are in need, Sports247 reports.
The Super Eagles dazzler, who was born in Lagos but grew up in London and was enrolled as a primary four pupil at Arsenal FC’s Hale End Academy in 2004, regularly gives back to the community every Christmas through a self-help store named after him.
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Although little is known globally about the retail outfit called AleXpress based in Canning Town area of East Lobdon, the Nigerian international believes he has been able to touch many less privileged people by providing them with free food they may not be able to afford elsewhere.
Iwobi, who played for Everton after leaving Arsenal in 2019, then joined Fulham in 2023, recently became the first Nigerian to get over 300 matches under his boots in the English Premier League and he also runs a mental health support foundation called Project 17.
He has now attributed his generous heart to examples shown by his father and disclosed, “My dad’s the sort of guy that when the people are coming to collect dustbins, he’s leaving bottles of water. Little things like that stick with me.
“It’s only right that I’m able to help the community the same way my parents do. We take it for granted what people go through. It’s hard. To see it first hand how much a turkey means to someone was amazing. This really means a lot to them.”
Iwobi also thanked the highly religious and spiritual style of the average Nigerian for aiding his charitable heart, especially when he and other players in the national team go into prayer sessions that not only motivate them for each match but also boost their emotions towards less privileged people.
“When I’m playing in Nigeria, we’re literally praying before training, on the bus praying before matches. As long as people can embrace and showcase who they are, no one should be afraid to do that, and it’s amazing to see in this day and age everyone’s comfortable doing that now..
“I like to be celebrated for the little things I do, but to be celebrated in such a big continent like Africa, it’s a privilege to be recognized for what I do,” said Iwobi, who was in action for Fulham against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
The 29-year-old dazzler was replaced in the 89th minute, as The Cottagers romped to a 3-0 spanking of last placed Wolves, from whose bench Tolu Arokodare entered the fray as a 64th minute substitute.
Arokodare could not replicate his scoring form of the past midweek, when he made up for his earlier error that led to Chelsea’s first goal, as he later hit one home during his side’s 4-3 home loss in the Carabao Cup.
While Arokodare continues struggling with the embattled Wolves, Samuel Chukwueze returned from injury and featured as a 77th minute substitute for Fulham, who also had Calvin Bassey on for 90 minutes in the 3-0 win that took them up to 14th on the EPL table
