The Nigerian boxing community has voiced deep frustration over the ongoing delay in bringing back the remains of Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who died over 50 days ago after a fight in Ghana’s Bukom Arena.
This outcry comes shortly after a seven-person committee submitted its final report on the incident to Ghana’s Minister of Sport and Recreation, Kofi Adams. However, no specific timeline has been announced for the return of Olanrewaju’s body to his family.
Professional boxer Taiwo Esepo expressed his disappointment, stating, “It feels like the sports authorities in Ghana have little regard for Nigerian boxers, as if we’re invisible to them.”
He added, “A Nigerian boxer fought abroad, and despite the tragedy, there’s been no visible effort to support his family. Why don’t our officials take action? This could happen to any Nigerian fighter, and the silence is distressing.”
Olanrewaju, also known as ‘Success’, collapsed during his bout with Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at the Trust Sports Emporium Boxing Arena in Bukom on March 29. He was pronounced dead later at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
UBO Champion Idowu Rasheed, who once faced Olanrewaju in the ring, shared his emotional reaction to the ongoing situation.
“He was an opponent of mine, so his passing hit me hard. I even thought about quitting boxing but continued because it’s my means of survival,” Rasheed said. “It’s painful that his body hasn’t been released. His family deserves the chance to see him and hold a proper burial.”
Remi Aboderin, secretary general of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC), confirmed that a meeting was held recently but did not offer any definite update regarding the repatriation of the boxer’s remains.
Commonwealth Games medalist Abdul-Afeez Osoba also voiced concern over the prolonged wait.
“Though I wasn’t close to him, it’s hard to understand why the delay is so long,” Osoba commented.
“I hope the NBBofC is actively liaising with Ghanaian authorities. From a religious viewpoint, especially as a Muslim, the body should have been buried quickly. This delay is deeply upsetting for his loved ones.”