Martins To Splash N400m On Charity

Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins says he is planning to spend over N400 million (over $2.5 million) to help the poor in his country through his Obafemi Martins Aid Foundation.

“I have a budget of about N400 million for my charity. I always said that if I make it in life, I wish to help the less privileged in our society,” the Rubin Kazan of Russia striker told MTNFootball.com

“Since I moved to Europe about 10 years ago, I have always helped my friends and family and even people on the streets, but now I wish to do even more.”

Nigeria is an oil-rich country but the majority of its citizens live below the poverty line with basic needs like food, shelter and medical care in very short supply.

“Nigerians deserve to live a better life, but the government alone cannot do everything. It is left for organisations and individuals who are in a position to also help those in need,” offered Martins, who has also featured for Newcastle in England and Italian club Inter Milan.

“I’m mostly in Lagos and so can see for myself what the Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has done to cushion the sufferings of the people. He has done this sometimes at great expense and sacrifice.

“For instance, my father’s house in Orile Iganmu was demolished so as to make way for a massive expressway for the neighbourhood. It was painful but when you see what he has done, you cannot but support him.”

The Obafemi Martins Aid Foundation is dedicated to the memory of the striker’s mother and brother, who are now both deceased.

“My mother was a very big influence on me and my career. She was an Alhaja (prayerful Muslim woman leader) and I remember she will come round to pray for me when I struggled with injuries and wasn’t scoring goals,” Martins revealed.

“I also miss my brother Ladi, he was my best friend.”

‘Obagoal’ kicked off his charity work during the recent holidays with a visit to a motherless children’s home in Lagos, where he donated food items to the 100 inmates.

Several of Nigeria’s top stars like Nwankwo Kanu, Joseph Yobo, John Utaka and Rabiu Afolabi have founded foundations to help with the health, education and the general well being of the country’s poor.