Walter Oyatogun for burial March 28

The remains of the late ace sports broadcaster, Walter Oyatogun, will be laid to rest on March 28, 2014 at the Ikoyi Cemetary in Lagos.

According to the funeral programmes released by the family of the deceased iconic broadcaster, Oyatogun’s final journey will begin on March 27, with a novelty match between the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, AGN, and the MITV/Star FM team, in his honour.

There will also be, what the family described as “The last lap” to mark Walter Oyatogun’s love for jogging. “Our intention is to take him, for the last time, round the National Stadium, which used to be his favourite jogging spot” his children, Moyo and Mofe explained in a letter to the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Lagos Chapter.

The last lap will be followed by a service of songs at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. The service of songs will feature a number of choirs, singing groups, including the grand children of the late Oyatogun.

To respect his last wish, the body of the late ace broadcaster will lie-in-state at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on March 28 and interment will follow thereafter at the Ikoyi Cemetary while entertainment of guests follows at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos between 4:00pm and 9:00pm.

SWAN FCT Chapter Commiserate With Aisha Falode, Mourns Walter Oyatogun.

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, FCT chapter has commiserated with former NFF Media and Publicity Committee member Aisha Falode, on the loss of her son, Toba Falode.

Chairman, SWAN, FCT chapter, Kayode Adeniyi expressed shock on hearing the news which he described as sad, unfortunate and unthinkable while also praying that God grants the Falode family the fortitude to bear the loss.

“I want to say here that the entire sports writers in Abuja are shocked to here this sad news, it is totally unthinkable that a young boy with such a promising future has been lost just like that. We deeply mourn with her at this time. Kayode lamented

Meanwhile Kayode Adeniyi also said that SWAN also mourns the passing away of veteran broadcaster, Mr. Walter Oyatogun, who died in Lagos last weekend at the age of 78, after suffering a third stroke.

Oyatogun, a veteran broadcaster, who ruled the airwaves in Nigeria sports television commentary in the 1970s and 1980s, died on Friday, 14th February at the General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos.

NFF mourns Walter Oyatogun

NFF mourns Walter Oyatogun

The Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday mourned the passing of veteran broadcaster, Mr. Walter Oyatogun, who died in Lagos last weekend at the age of 78, after suffering a third stroke.

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, said that the Federation and the entire Nigeria football family are in grief over the demise of the former NTA broadcaster of note, who broke grounds in the sportscasting profession with his much-adored voice, excellent work ethic, passion and tirelessness.

“The NFF and the Nigeria football family mourn the death of Mr. Oyatogun, a true legend of the journalism profession who carved his
giant footprints in the sands of time through hard work, perseverance, creativity and doggedness.

“We recall that the late Mr. Oyatogun was one of those showcased as one of the legends of the Federation Cup at the 2013 Grand Finale in Lagos. We will definitely miss him.”

Oyatogun, whose unmistakeable voice ruled the airwaves in Nigeria sports television commentary in the 1970s and 1980s, was said to have breathed his last at about 7.30am on Friday, 14th February at the General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos.

Amadu added that the commitment, diligence and dedication to duty that ruled late Oyatogun’s life are worthy lessons for today’s practising and budding professionals.

“Surely, another big tree has fallen in the Nigeria sports scene, so soon after we lost Pa John Ojidoh. Our prayer is that Almighty God
will grant the departed eternal rest, and also give the family and friends he has left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.”

WALTER OYATOGUN PASSES ON !

The great journalist and administrator passed on at a Lagos Hospital on the 14th of February 2014, a pacesetter and broadcaster per excellence who through his professionalism inspired an entire generation of which this writer happens to fall into. His diction and command of the English language was impeccable.

WALTER OYATOGUN- THE GREAT

Sir Wally as he was popular known, became famous in the ’80s, on the Nigerian television authority NTA news. He had a unique sign off of his name, on his reports. His deep and well rounded voice and impeccable enunciation warmed many hearts. He was indeed one of Nigeria’s greatest.

Walter who survived a stroke two years ago, fought for his life till the very end. He indeed, exhibited the benefits of a healthy life style and exercise, which he preached and lived for.

Walter’s contributions to sports in Nigeria, started in 1960, when he became an Amateur boxer. The officer in charge of the Boys and Girls Clubs in Lagos, Mr. Peter Cook , a Briton, encouraged him to take to Boxing, and he made the National Team.

He represented Nigeria in the Nigeria/Ghana International Boxing Championship in 1966 in Lagos, where he won a Gold Medal in the Heavyweight Category.

Hogan (King) Bassey was the National Coach. Some of his stable mates were Fatai Ayinla (Light-Heavyweight) , Eddie Ndukwu (Featherweight) Davidson Andeh , (Lightweight) and Jerome Awe (Flyweight)

He was employed by the National Sports Council , between 1966-1976 as a Sports Development Officer and seconded to the Lagos Sports Council which had just established a Sports Training Centre then, known as ‘Alakoro Training Centre’ located at 106, Alakoro Street, Elegbata.

There were Nine Sports Associations on the ground then: Football, Athletics (Track & Field) Boxing, Tennis, Table Tennis, Cricket, Swimming, Hockey and Netball. But With a staff strength of six Physical Education Instructors and Six Assistant Instructors, he developed five additional sports between 1966 and 1976.

With the assistance of sports enthusiasts like Oba Dapo Tejuoso, Mr Walid Zabadne and a host of others, Walter was able to introduce volleyball, badminton, squash, basketball and weightlifting to the centre.

He continued this illustrious service to the nation.

Apart from his service in broadcasting and sports development, it was His dream to see the national stadium surulere, busy with sporting activities and development.

He got keep fit enthusiasts to make use of the National Stadium open spaces for jogging. In 1984, he sought the support of the Chairman, National Sports Commission, Late Maj-Gen, Damian Sho-Silva to throw open the gates of the National Stadium to all and sundry that wants to keep fit.

The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Alhaji Raheem A Adejumo adopted the keep -fit programme as Sport for All-Nigeria in 1991. Chief Shola Rhodes (SAN) laboured to spread the benefit of keep-fit all over the country.

That little seed sown in 1984 has become a way of life for many Nigerians as can be seen at the National Stadium at weekends.
He was an Alumni of the Man O’ War School, Apapa. At the inception of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme he served as an Instructor on Leadership to the Orientation Course of Lagos State, under Mrs Gbadamosi the orientation Director.

He had a pet name with Corp members, called Waky-Waky, because He used to wake them up at 5.30a.m to get ready for the days activities.

Walter once wrote: “This is my track record of forty-three years on service to Sports and sports leadership. Can anyone tell me why I have been put in limbo in the matters of Sports in the country?

It is my hope that the Committee on National Awards will take note of my service and contributions to Sports Development in the Country, maybe it will meet their parameters for a National Award”.

Well, that never happened, till he died. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Burial arrangements will soon be announced by the family.

MOYO OYATOGUN on behalf of the family.