01/04/2024
Honored to meet Mr Michael!
After about two hours of morning exercise today, I made straight for the National Library situated less than half a kilometer from my residence. Having earlier made some online enquiries about the use of the library, and somehow still wanting to be sure by paying a visit personally, I took the post morning exercise opportunity to check out the library.
There, not much to my surprise, I found out a meaningful difference between the online information I got and the offline information.
And it was to the effect that the library is also open on weekends -for a few hours less than what's obtainable on weekdays. The online information had given that usage is strictly for weekdays. That difference makes a lot of sense to me.
Now, in the course of the enquiries, the Papa who was on duty, and who would later let me know that he's the CSO of the Federal Government Facility, got me captivated with his stories -stories based on life experiences. For instance, he gave me two real life experiences on the importance of writing attendance and the danger of not writing attendance where visitors are required to do so. He cited them when he was briefing me about some basic codes of conduct at the library which I should take seriously when I begin to use the facility.
But then, when he realized that I cycle a lot as a hobby and as a means of warming the heart, he quickly told me he was also a sportsman. He said he was a boxer. And to my surprise, he further narrated how he represented Nigeria at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow before losing out at the quarter finals stage. I would never have imagined that I was talking to a national icon. This is perhaps one of the reasons why no one should ever be looked down on or treated with disdain... not only because you don't know who is who but because ordinarily we are all humans, deserving dignity of treatment.
Well, a little more into the conversation, he made me know that a street was actually named after him in Isele Uku, Delta State, in recognition of his contribution to the development of Sports. The street is Michael Okafo Street.
At Spes Mandatum, our concern here is the 'base' conditions of many of our national icons in their old age. We, by concept, share the vision of legitimate hope for all. For instance, the legitimate hope of a national icon who at a time represented his country in that far away dead cold city must have been a far cry from what Mr Michael is having now. Indeed, worrisome realities like this naturally make Spes Mandatum wonder if there should or should not be a national fund for the welfare of such retired national sports icons as Mr Michael??
Dear friend, reader, please let us know your honest thoughts about putting in place such a measure for their welfare especially in old age!
Anyway, towards the end of our conversation, Mr Michael told me he celebrated his 84th birthday in February this year. That was great and amazing, considering how distinctly he still talked, and how strong he still is. In fact, he gave me, by way of demonstration, some punching moves. At this point, I jokingly told him that one of the reasons I exercise is to see if my bones could remain strong to carry to such an age as his. He laughed and encouraged me to keep it up.
After about an hour with him, I left him on a happy note, personally feeling enriched by his story, his experience and his patriotism. Above all, I felt honored being freely close to such an icon and chatting with him.
Dear friend, reader, when next you visit or come around the national library, please pay some tribute to Mr Michael. God bless you.
Ike Agwoye,
For Spes Mandatum.
