He became Africa’s first Javelin champion at the premier All Africa Games, Brazzaville’65. Amen Tony Oyakhire was Military Administrator of Taraba State in 1996, thanks to Sani Abacha before redeployment to Oyo State in 1998 by Abdusalam Abubakar.
Oyakhire took the Javelin gold, one of the eight won by Team Nigeria which finished second on the medals table. Two of his team mates, both women, also did well in the Javelin event. Helen Okwara grabbed the gold while bronze went to Anikwe.
The other gold medalists were Folu Erinle, 100 metres Hurdles, Eddie Akika, Long Jump, Sam Igun, High Jump, Jumoke Bodunrin, 100 metres and Amelia Okoli[later Mrs. Okpalaoka], Discus. The country also won five silver and four bronze medals.
The 100 metres Hurdles race was interesting. Erinle and Akika finished in 14.6 seconds but silver was awarded the latter. Bronze winner, S. Maki, of Cote D’Ivoire made it in 14.7 seconds.
Oyakhire was hard to displace at home. He was national champion thrice,in 1972, 1975 and 1976 respectively. In 1974, Oyakhire set a Nigerian Record of 73.96 feet. At the National Championships in 1972, his throw of 69.40 feet was to last for almost two decades.
As a police officer, Oyakhire was still part of the Athletics Family. His rank of Commissioner of Police[CP] did not distinguish him from his peers. He continued to be relevant as a Field Judge. In 1999, the Obasanjo regime retired the top cop from the Police Force while he served as Assistant Inspector General [AIG].
Oyakhire was not the first athlete who rose to become state governor. Sir Akanu Ibiam, the first Nigerian governor of the Eastern Region was captain of the Kings College , Lagos Cricket team in 1923.
Emeka Ojukwu played Rugby at Epson College, Surrey and even set a Discus record. At Oxford University, he was exceptional in Rugby. David Ejoor was a damn good Judoka. The Ikemba was first military governor of Eastern Region. Ejoor, first military governor of Mid-West.
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Ejoor’s nephew, Temi, was governor of Enugu and later Abia State. In Abia he made former National Athletics coach, Toni Urhobo, Team Manager of Enyimba. What many did not know was that they were old time pals. Temi was good at Javelin and Soccer while Toni was an all rounder at Government College, Ugheli. When the Rewanes wanted Tony to go over to Hussey College, Warri, Tony agreed, with a proviso, that his friend must follow.
Herbert Eze and Paul Omeruo were governors of Enugu and Kogi States respectively. They were also friends right from the Nigeria Military School, Zaria to Government Secondary School, Afikpo during the Civil War. They played great football.
One time Imo governor, Anthony Oguguo, was one of the soccer stars paraded by Our Lady’s Secondary School, Nnobi in 1965. Chimaroke Mbadinuju, ex-Anambra governor played for New York State University and even the United States. His cognomen was ‘King’.
Joe Kalu Igboamagh, a member of the Nigeria Defence Academy [NDA] Course 12 was part of the football team between 1972 and 1973. He ended up as governor of Adamawa. Lucky Igbinedion kept goal in the United Kingdom as a student. He tried that as Edo governor, in novelty games.
Some of our leaders were also outstanding sportsmen. The greatest of them all remains Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. He was once the country’s Lawn Tennis champion and played soccer for Lagos Diamond in 1923. The Owelle was a boxer, athlete and referee.
General Yakubu Gowon took part actively in Hockey, Football, Athletics and Boxing. His Deputy, Admiral Wey, played not just for Lagos Marine, he was a left back for the senior national team. President Muhammadu Buhari never got tired easily because he was a Marathoner.
President Ibrahim Babangida earned the nickname, ‘Block Buster’, before Aloy Atuegbu. IBB was popular at the Provincial Secondary School, Bida as a hard tacking defender. He was also into Athletics, Cricket and Hockey. The school goalkeeper was Gen. Abdusalami.
Oyakhire was not the first police officer to become national champion. Give it to Joseph Adeola, “ the Flying Policeman”. He was champion in 100,220 and 440 yards in 1947, in 1948 and only dropped the 440 in 1950. There was Sunny Oyarekhua who won All Africa Games Soccer gold with the Eagles in 1973.
The greatest police sports personality remains Chioma Ajunwa who won Nigeria’s first Olympic gold in 1996. Sunday Bada was world 400 metres Indoor champion in 1997. Eseme Ikpoto bagged Commonwealth gold too.
