Okoku, Odiye donate sports equipment to St Finbarr’s College on 60th Inter-house sport competition

Former Super Eagles legends, Godwin Odiye and Paul Okoku, have reaffirmed their commitment to education and sports by making a remarkable donation of sports equipment and a monetary scholarship to St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos.

This inspiring gesture was displayed during the school’s 60th inter-house sports competition, held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the school’s premises in Akoka.

At the colourful St Finbarr’s College 60th Inter-house sports competition, where the sports equipment donated by Okoku and Odiye were presented to a packed cheering crowd in the school 's sports complex, the school authority, parents, students, well wishers and disguised former students of the illustrious secondary, spoke glowingly of the humanitarian efforts of the US-based former students .

The distinguished alumni, renowned for their contributions to Nigerian football, donated high-quality sports equipment, including Adidas jerseys, football boots, branded tracksuits, shin guards, hoses, and goalkeeper gloves. Furthermore, they bolstered the school’s scholarship program through the St. Finbarr’s Old Boys Association, offering deserving students opportunities to excel academically.

Representing the two legends, Friday Okoku presented the donations to the school administrator, Rev. Father Babalola Emmanuel, who expressed heartfelt gratitude.
"We are grateful for this great act of kindness and pray that you will continue to experience God’s goodness,” he said.

Patrick Doyle, President of the St. Finbarr’s Old Boys Association and a celebrated actor, commended the football icons for their contributions.

"Paul Okoku was the vice captain of the Junior Eagles called the Flying Eagles. That team was the first team in Nigeria to play a FIFA-orgamised competiton. He went on to play for the Super Eagles before he went to America to study and he is still resident there till this day," Doyle told the delighted crowd.

"The other is the legendary Godwin Odiye. Odiye is one of the greatest defenders on the continent and an old boy of this school. So on their behalf, he has sent his brother here to do the presentation. We have a good number of football boots, track suits for the the school, branded track suits for the football team, all the way from the United States".

"Adidas jerseys for the football team, who have shin guards, hoses and hand gloves for the goalkeeper. Ladies and gentlemen, I urge you once again, to applaud our proud old boys, Paul Okoku and Godwin Odiye. These jerseys are going to be worn in the final of the Heritage Cup and we are going to left the cup wearing these jerseys donated by these gentle men who were in this school many years ago."

The thespian also appreciated the sense of giving back to the college displayed by Okoku and Odiye.

"This gesture that they have done shows that of a truth and in deed, they are appreciative of what this school did to them and for them. I am particularly proud of Okoku and Odiye because these are sporting legends and they have found it first to give back to St. Finbarr's. I just boasted that we would be wearing the jersey they donated at the next final of the football competition in Lagos State," Doyle stated.

Also lauding the donation, Head Teacher of the school, Biyibi Victor, said the sport equipment will go a long way to motivated the school team.

"About a month ago, they (Okoku and Odiye) called me and told me that they would love to do that presentation. I said it would be took hidden if they come on an ordinary day. So I said they should come on the day of the inter-house sport; let the whole world know what they are donating to us, so that the publicity will shine on them, to show what they are giving back to their alma mater, which is a good thing to emulate," he said.

The head teacher also said the donation will boost sport in the school and further enhance its rich sports history.

"It (donation) will go a long way to motivated the boys, being that these are old boys giving back to the school. And you know sport kits are very expensive now, so for them to do this is a very laudable experience for the boys and three boys will benefit from it because as a school, we don't push sport aside, we put sport and academics side-by-side, just because the founder, Reverend Father Slattery was also a sport man and he loved combining academics and sports," Victor stated.