Sports

Family of Late Kola Omoniyi Expresses Gratitude to Lagos SWAN, Appeals for Compensation From Afro Sport

Published

9 months ago

January 9, 2025

The family of the late Kolawole Aderemi Omoniyi, a distinguished Nigerian cameraman, has extended their heartfelt appreciation to the Lagos Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and the wider sports community for their steadfast support following their tragic loss.

Kolawole Omoniyi, who was on official duty covering an AFCON qualifying match between Nigeria and Libya in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, tragically lost his life in an attack by a suspected IPOB group in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria.

Despite a rapid response by a Nigerian Army rescue team, triggered by a Save Our Soul (SOS) request from Lagos SWAN to the Defence Headquarters and other security agencies, Omoniyi succumbed to his injuries.

In the wake of this devastating incident, Lagos SWAN, under the leadership of Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, provided invaluable support to the Omoniyi family during the funeral, including a generous donation to help cover funeral expenses and assistance in immortalizing the late cameraman through the construction of a befitting tomb. The family expressed profound gratitude for these acts of kindness.

In a letter signed by Babajide Adisa Omoniyi, on behalf of the family, they stated:

“The family of Late Kolawole Aderemi Omoniyi wishes to express our deepest thanks to the entire Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, for your love, prayers, and unwavering support during this incredibly difficult time. We are deeply touched by your generosity and the care you’ve shown our family.”

“Your donation has alleviated a great burden, and we are sincerely grateful for the financial assistance that has helped us during this time of grief. Your kind words of condolence have also been a source of great comfort to us as we mourn the loss of our beloved father.”

“We also wish to extend our thanks to the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, and the Chief of Defence Staff for their prompt response and active role both during and after the tragic incident.”*

The Omoniyi family also expressed their appreciation to the Lagos SWAN for honoring their late father by attending the funeral service, a gesture that provided great solace during this painful time.

Family Appeals for Compensation from Afro Sport

The family has, however, appealed to Afro Sport, the organization that contracted Kolawole Omoniyi and his team for the coverage of the AFCON match, to provide compensation, particularly to his widow. While Afro Sport offered a sum of N1 million for burial arrangements, the family believes that a more substantial compensation is deserved, given the circumstances of Omoniyi’s tragic death.

“We kindly request that Afro Sport consider our plea and provide the necessary support to help us navigate this difficult time,” said Babajide Adisa Omoniyi, on behalf of the family.

Meanwhile, Lagos SWAN has also expressed its deep appreciation to all those involved in recovering and exhuming Kolawole Omoniyi’s body from the shallow grave and returning him to his family.

According to the chairman of Lagos SWAN, Ambassador Oladunni, special appreciation goes to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, GOC 82 Division headed by Maj. Gen. H.T. Dada who authorized and supervised the rescued mission, and Col. A.K. Muhammed (Commander 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Anambra, who led the rescued mission. Brig. Gen. U.A. Lawal, Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, Imo State, who also supported the operations with armoured personnel carriers and other equipment and the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State.

Sports

Ballon d’Or: Why Neymar Didn’t Win Award – Gerard

Published

7 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

Barcelona legend, Gerard Piqué has said that Brazil legend, Neymar could have won the Ballon d’Or had he remained at the Catalan side a little longer.

Neymar left Barça for PSG in 2017, becoming the costliest player in the world.

Pique said that the move stopped the Brazilian from winning the Ballon d’Or.

He said that the superstar footballer actually deserved to win the France Football award in his career.

Speaking on the PodPah podcast, Pique, who was Neymar’s teammate for many years at Barcelona, said he tried to convince the Brazilian not to make the move but the former PSG star did not listen to him.

“I’m convinced he deserved a Ballon d’Or. I think going to PSG hurt him. We tried to convince him not to go, we did everything possible.

“Everyone thought he was going to stay, even me, but it seemed that it was already decided. In the end, he had an incredible career,” he said.

The Brazilian was at Camp Nou until 2017 when he decided to move to PSG who were willing to activate his €222 million release clause.

He left for Al-Hilal in 2023 and returned to Brazil with Santos in 2025.

Sports

Lionel Messi Names 10 Best Young Players Currently

Published

7 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

Argentina and Barcelona legend, Lionel Messi, has named the 10 players he sees as future stars.

The legendary attacker has players from Chelsea and Liverpool in his list.

As part of an Adidas campaign, the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner was asked to name the players he deems the next big stars in the game.

The Inter Miami goal king partnering with Adidas Football for the ‘Messi+10: Season 2’ campaign named his 10 best rising stars.

He named Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, Kendry Paez, also of Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder, Brajan Gruda.

Others are Nico Paz (Como), Rodrigo Mora (Porto), Mika Godts (Ajax Amsterdam), and Kader Meite (Stade Rennes).

He named two female players, Barcelona’s Clara Serrajordi and Olympique Lyon’s Lily Yohannes.

Messi made a similar selection in 2024 to include Lamine Yamal, Antonio Nusa and Kenan Yildiz.

Sports

2026 World Cup: Why ‘England Can’t Win Trophy’ – Paul Scholes

Published

7 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

Former England international, Paul Scholes, has said that the country stands no chance of winning the 2026 World Cup to be hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

England became the first European country to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday after beating Latvia 5 goals to nothing.

Scholes said Thomas Tuchel’s team has ‘no chance’ of winning the tournament unless the German gaffer brings his ‘three best players’ back into the squad.

Tuchel will now be hoping to lead England to their first major trophy in men’s football since 1966.

The former Chelsea manager was appointed as Sir Gareth Southgate’s successor last year.

England made it to two European Championship finals and two World Cup semi-finals under Southgate but failed to lift those trophies.

But former Manchester United midfielder, Scholes believes that England has ‘no chance’ unless Tuchel brings his ‘three best players’ back into the fold.

Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish were left out of the team for their last matches.

“I was a little bit surprised. Those three players, they have to be in his squad and they will be in his squad for the World Cup,” Scholes said on The Overlap.

“If you look at the squad now, you would say they have virtually no chance of winning the World Cup. Even with those three players it’s still a big ask but it gives you more of a chance of winning the cup.

“Jude Bellingham has missed a little bit of football but he’s fit now so I would have brought him back in.

“Thomas Tuchel hasn’t got many games left now until the World Cup actually starts, it’s only the November break and then the March one and then we’re there so we need to get these players playing.”

While announcing his squad for the last international break, Tuchel insisted he had ‘no problem’ with the omitted players, especially Bellingham.