Peter Rufai, fondly known as Dodo Mayana, once turned down a kingship in Idimu to pursue professional football. He gave his all to Nigeria and brought us glory. Then in his time of need, this national icon reminds us why a country must never forget those who gave it their everything.
Must we continue to adopt flawed approaches simply because America or the West follows them? Why are we still mentally imprisoned by colonial thinking, blindly accepting their systems even when they do not serve our people or reflect our reality? This mindset must come to an end. As Africans and Nigerians, we must begin to think for ourselves and build principles rooted in our own culture, values and lived experiences.
We cannot continue to follow a system that expects every individual to survive through insurance policies and personal investments alone. In the West, systems like these are built on strong institutional support and social safety nets. But here in Nigeria, the story is different. During their active years, most of our athletes and public figures use their hard-earned money to support extended families, friends and communities. They become the backbone of many, often with little or nothing left for themselves. Some are misled into making poor financial decisions by those closest to them. Others fall victim to dishonest friends and relatives who take advantage of their success, leaving them with nothing but regrets in their later years.
This is not a call to excuse irresponsibility. It is a call for reflection, compassion and structure. We all know that some sportsmen and women may falter under the pressure of success or betrayal. But let us not pretend we do not understand where these struggles come from. Not everyone is reckless or wasteful. Many gave their all for the nation and still found themselves empty-handed when their careers ended.
We are not speaking of every athlete. We are speaking of those rare individuals who carried the Nigerian flag with pride, who gave us joy, hope and unity, who reminded us what greatness looks like when one puts country first. These are the men and women who gave their youth, their energy and their hearts for the honour of Nigeria.
Peter Rufai is one such individual. Known to millions as Dodo Mayana, he was not only Nigeria’s iconic goalkeeper but also a man who made a life-changing sacrifice for his country. After the passing of his father, Rufai was next in line to ascend the throne as king in Idimu, Lagos. But he turned it down. He rejected royalty, choosing instead to pursue his professional football career. It was a bold decision, one rooted in personal conviction and passion for the game. And it paid off for himself, for Lagos State and for Nigeria.
His journey took him to Europe where he played at the highest levels, but more importantly, he wore the green and white jersey of Nigeria with distinction. He gave us unforgettable performances, led with grace, and contributed to some of our most iconic footballing moments. He brought us pride, unity and international recognition.
Yet in his time of need, when the cheering stopped and the spotlight dimmed, where were we? As a nation and as a people, we failed him. And he is not the only one.
To abandon those who brought us honour is not only unfair. It is dishonourable. We must build a system that supports our national heroes, especially in retirement or crisis. This is not about charity. It is about gratitude. A nation that forgets its heroes has no moral right to celebrate their victories.
We must change. We must do better. We must adopt a way of life that is African in spirit, one that values community, loyalty and care. We must treat our heroes not only as symbols of past glory but as people who deserve dignity and support even after their careers are over.
Let us honour our best not just when they win, but when they need us the most. We hope and believe that the present President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will look into this and make it his own legacy to address the anomaly, to ensure that those who gave their all for the nation are never forgotten or abandoned.
By Bola Babarinde, South Africa.
