28th January, 2011
The death of former president of Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, NBBofC, Prince Olaide Adeboye has been described as a great loss to Nigerian sports.
Reacting to the sudden death of the late Adeboye, Secretary of NBBofC, Remi Aboderin told Boxing in Focus that his death was received with shock, adding that the Nigerian boxing fraternity would miss him dearly.
“Our late president died around 4a.m on Wednesday. What I heard was that he had a brief illness few days ago, which resulted in complication that led to his death. His body has been deposited at a hospital mortuary in Ikeja. It was painful,â€Â he said.
“Our president, Dr. Godwin Kanu and the vice president, Walter Batowe are in constant touch with the family of the late Prince Adeboye. All I can say now is that the family has put the burial arrangement on hold until after due consultations. The board of the NBBofC would meet on Sunday to further deliberate on what we will do.
“There is no doubt that we will miss Prince Adeboye dearly because he contributed immensely to the development of professional boxing in the country. He was loved by all stakeholders of the game in Nigeria and abroad. He had left a vacuum, which would be difficult to fill. The board of the NBBofC will take active part in the burial of our late former president,†said Aboderin.
Boxing in Focus recalls that the late Prince Adeboye was a serving member of the Governing Council of the World Boxing Council, WBC and was instrumental to Nigeria’s top ranking in international boxing.
His ideals and values of boxing took Nigeria to world boxing height as the country’s boxers had opportunities to stake claims for world titles.
He was one of those who inspired and gave Samuel Peter the encouragement to become the first ever African world heavyweight boxer.
His effort in the sport saw the emergence of Fatai Onikeke and Segun Ajose as Commonwealth champions.