Former national footballer, Paul Okoku says that the three orphaned children of late Wilfred Agbonavbare who died of cancer last week Tuesday, 3 years after his wife also died of breast cancer, should take a cancer test to determine whether there’s is a genetic-related one.
“I want to ask Wilfred’s family to subject his children to frequent cancer screenings because of their parents’ medical history. These children should not be faced with the harsh reality of orphanage lives because it is already hard enough on them to lose their young parents in a span of three years.” He said.
Both Okoku and Agbonavbare were teammates during their heydays in the Flying Eagles team of the FIFA organized 1983 Under 20 World Cup in Mexico.
Okoku also requested that the over three decades long promise given by then President Shehu Shagari in 1983 for the young team’s superb performance, with a scholarship award to be given to each one of them, should be fulfilled now. According to Okoku, the reason he wants the pledge renewed is because he desires to have the scholarship converted into cash for the benefit of Agbonavbare’s children who are now facing an uncertain future.
“So, when I and my teammates asked that the scholarships promised us be converted to financial rewards, it was mainly to help foot Wilfred’s medical bills because he asked for prayers and financial support from his friends, teammates and all kind-hearted Nigerians. We did our best Wilfred, we did.”
