Penultimate Monday, the bell tolled for Nojeem Maiyegun in faraway Austria. Aged 83, his demise marked the end of a chapter in the nation’s boxing history. His sad passing occurred exactly 60 years after he set the record as the first Nigerian to clinch a (bronze) medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 in the men’s light middleweight (71kg) category… a prize he jointly won with the Polish Jozef Grzesiak after the duo lost in the semi-finals in keeping with the Olympic tradition.
By gunning his way to stardom in Tokyo, Maiyegun ended Nigeria’s medal drought in the Olympics after the country’s first appearance in the 1952 Games in Helsinki, Finland.
Maiyegun also went on to bag another bronze medal at the 1966 Kingston Commonwealth Games in the same category. He was said to have died of a natural cause after a prolonged illness. One significance of his death is that it occurred in an Olympic year.
His choice of boxing did not come by serendipity. Born in Bamgbose area of Lagos state on February 17, 1941, the young Nojeem found himself at the receiving end of a neighbourhood bully at a public tap.
His helplessness propelled him to embrace boxing, acclaimed as the noble art of self-defence. He went on to train at the Bonny Ade Boxing Gym for six months. Thereafter, he searched out his tormentor and extracted his pound of flesh.
The resolve for revenge brought out the boxing prowess in him and he eventually chose to make a career in the ring at 16. Fondly called “Omo Olojo” by his fans, Maiyegun followed the path toed by many boxers who turned professional after wearing Olympic medals.
Maiyegun’s first international fight on the continent was against Ghana’s Joe Blackey in Accra in 1960, which he won. To actualise his dream as a professional boxer, he chose Austria as his base. However, his vision to become a world title winner was cut short by his partial loss of vision. First, he lost an eye, as a result of punches to his head which are the ingredients of boxing. But he never gave up. He fought with one eye between 1971 and 1973, raking in 16 bouts. He won 12 of them including 10 knockouts and recorded four defeats.
Tributes have been pouring in for the legend like a flurry of punches. The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the boxing legend.
In his statement, Enoh offered his condolences to Maiyegun’s family and the entire Nigerian sports community, while he acknowledged the late boxer’s monumental contribution to Nigerian sports.
He said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of a true legend, a man who not only broke barriers but also set the standard for what is possible for Nigerian athletes on the global stage.
“His perseverance and spirit have inspired generations, and we are committed to honoring his memory by continuing to support and develop sports in Nigeria. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
Former Nigeria’s Director-General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Patrick Ekeji, recalled the 1964 glory when Maiyegun won Nigeria’s first Olympic medal and the funfair with which he was received in Lagos on return from the Games.
The Secretary-General, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Remi Aboderin, said the late boxing legend represented Nigeria with dignity at the 1964 Olympics and the 1966 Commonwealth Games and elevated Nigeria to the global sporting stage.
The Interim President of Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Azania Omo-Agege, hailed Maiyegun’s accomplishments, noting that his stint was devoid of doping and scandals.
National boxing coach, Tony Konyegwachie, himself an Olympian, said, “He was our number one hero.”
Former national and African boxing champion, Joe Lasisi, referred to Maiyegun as Nigeria’s Boxing General, acknowledging that he was an inspiration to him during his career.
Without a doubt, Maiyegun’s singular achievement in Tokyo was the apotheosis of his boxing career and it paved the way for subsequent Nigerian successes on the global stage. His passing is a significant loss to the Nigerian sports family and his feat will be an enduring source of pride to the nation.
We urge the federal government and his home state, Lagos, to immortalise his name for posterity to remember him. When the history of Nigerian sports is written, Maiyegun’s name will be etched in bronze.
Blueprint joins millions of Nigeria’s sports buffs and the sporting world in mourning the passing of this great icon. May Almighty Allah grant his soul aljannah firdausi and his family the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
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