Izuchukwu OkosiFormer Anambra State governor and Presidential aspirant, Peter Obi has joined well meaning Nigerians to spare a thought for Nottingham Forest and Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi following his ruptured intestine after colliding with the goalpost in his club’s Premier League game against Leicester City on Sunday.
The incident culminated in an urgent surgery carried out on the Nigerian on Monday as he was in an induced coma in the aftermath of the incident.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAwoniyi who has played in 25 of the club’s 35 Premier League games this season came off the substitutes bench in the game and was bearing down on goal in an attempt to convert a cross from Anthony Elanga.
In a social media post on Wednesday, Obi wrote:
“I read with deep concern the unfortunate incident involving our own Taiwo Awoniyi
@taiwoawoniyi18, a resilient son of the soil, who, while giving his best on the field for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, suffered a severe injury in the line of duty.
“It is both painful and telling that, even after colliding with the goalpost and sustaining what has now been revealed as a ruptured intestine, he pressed on, a testament to the Nigerian spirit: strong, unyielding, and ever-committed.
“Let us not take this lightly. We must appreciate and celebrate such young men who continue to lift our flag high, even at great personal risk.
Crucially, Obi called on concerned Nigerians including those in the football industry to offer prayers for the recovery of the former Union Beinn striker.
“I call on the authorities, the football community, and indeed all of us as citizens to keep Taiwo in our thoughts and prayers.
“As he lies in an induced coma after emergency surgery, let us stand in solidarity with him and his family.
“May he recover fully and return stronger. And may we build a country where such sacrifice is not in vain, where patriotism is matched with proper care, recognition, and support. I wish him complete healing.
“May God Almighty bless Taiwo Awoniyi. God bless the Super Eagles. God bless Nigeria. -PO,” Obi concluded.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
