My Father Fought Hard To Stay Alive – Onigbinde’s Son

Oyekunle Onigbinde, the youngest child of the late Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, has said that although his father was sick, he fought courageously to stay alive.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Tuesday, Oyekunle described his father as a generous and caring man whose death on Monday came as a huge shock.

“He fought well to stay alive. He was sick, but due to old age, his body couldn’t fight the recovery.

“My father was very accommodating; he pulled everyone together. He didn’t care who you were; he just wanted everyone happy and united. He was the string that knitted many together,” he said.

Renowned sports analyst Tayo Balogun also paid tribute to Onigbinde, recalling a 40-minute phone conversation with him in 2025 that left a lasting impression.

“We went down memory lane, and I thanked him for being who he was: painstaking, foresighted, forthright, forthcoming, and incredibly hardworking,” Balogun said.

“During the call, I noticed his voice had lost some of its vibration. He attributed this to old age, claiming he was as fit as a fiddle. He even asked after my TV Gang of Feyi Ogunduyile and Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, then known as Oshiinaike.”

Balogun also highlighted Onigbinde’s contributions to Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), noting that he changed the club’s name from IICC Shooting Stars and remained meticulous in preparing his teams.

“He actually changed the name from IICC Shooting Stars. I asked him if he remembered why he practiced penalty kicks after 3SC had beaten Tonnere Kalara Club of Yaounde 4-0 at Liberty Stadium. He said it was precautionary, saying, ‘If we can beat them 4-0 in Ibadan, they may pay us back in Yaounde,’” Balogun recalled.

Balogun also praised Onigbinde’s bravery in selecting players for the 2002 World Cup, describing him as the most thorough Nigerian coach he had known.

“Each year, he would draw up a list of requirements for his team. With Shooting Stars, he would get 20 per cent, and with the Eagles, he didn’t even get 10 per cent. All the same, he got spectacular results with both teams. He was the first coach to take rookies like Chibuzor Ehilegbu, Paul Okoku, and Femi Olukanmi to Ghana and beat the then-dreaded Black Stars in their country,” Balogun said.

He added, “Onigbinde’s memory will remain indelible. He was a gentleman, humble, and highly intelligent. I am glad I got to know you, sir.”