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he family of late Nigerian boxer, Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, shares their thoughts with PETER AKINBO on his ambitions, character, and journey to Ghana.
How long have you been with Olanrewaju?
My name is Adebusola Olanrewaju. I was with ‘Success’ for almost five years, and we were married for about two years. Our first child is about two years old, and our second is nine months.
How would you describe him?
He was a very good man, humble and straightforward. He was a strong man. When he was alive, he moved from one place to another, trying to get people to help him with his career, but no one helped him. When the disgrace became too much, I told him that he should not go to anyone again, but he’s dead now, and people are posting messages about him online. What is the essence of these posts?
When he was alive and won his first belt, I followed him, but no one posted anything about him. Now, he’s dead, and they’re posting messages. We used to follow each other, but now, my husband is gone. There was never a day we fought that we didn’t settle.
How did he treat his children whenever he was with them?
I don’t think there is any man who could be as kind as he was. If I didn’t have time for anything, he would take care of the children. When I went out and returned home, I would see that he had carried one of them and put the other on his back or neck.
He was always trying his best for his children; he bathed them, took videos with them, and posted them. Even when some people insulted him, he didn’t care. What man would do that now? Our first child will soon start school; I don’t even know where to begin.
What do you know about his journey to Ghana?
When he was going to Ghana, he told us. When he got there, they said he would have to lose to his opponent. He said he could not do that. He insisted that he was there to boost his career. When he went to Russia, he tried his best. Although he did not win, everybody saw that he tried his best.
Now, he went to Ghana. He told us that they said he would have to lose. But he said he came there for his career and that he couldn’t lose to them. He was already coming back home; he told us everything until they called him back, and he said they had settled it.
How did you hear about your husband’s death?
I called him and spoke to him on Saturday after 11 pm. I woke up at midnight, expecting to see his message, but I did not see it. In the morning, I had to message him. That was when I was informed that he was dead. I don’t know where to start from. We never imagined that he would leave so soon. I don’t know what to tell my children. Please, don’t let his death be in vain.
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