Former Nigeria international Henry Nwosu has received support in his battle against an undisclosed ailment that has kept him hospitalised for months.
The former Green Eagles midfielder has been bed-ridden for most of this year and has been in Asaba, Delta State receiving medical attention.
His family and former colleagues recently raised the alarm that his condition had deteriorated.
Help is now on the way.
Segun Odegbami, who was in the same 1980 Green Eagles team with the then 17-year-old Nwosu that won Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil, shared the encouraging news yesterday.
While Odegbami acknowledged that 59-year-old Nwosu’s health is ‘going southwards’, he revealed that everything is being done to keep his former teammate alive.
“Twenty-four hours after yesterday’s alarm on Henry Nwosu’s health status the earth has moved,” Odegbami, a Nigerian and African superstar of the 1970s and 1980s who is now a syndicated newspaper columnist, wrote on a sports forum.
“There is some hopeful news to report. I believe it is right and proper to give an update. His health status remains the same – going southwards.
Positive reactions have, however, been pouring in. Many concerned Nigerians are offering to lend support in any and every way possible.
“That now appears to create a problem – the nature and coordination of the support Henry Nwosu needs and can get, and how to offer it outside of any direct financial contribution to anybody.”
Odegbami listed those offering assistance to include state governments, big companies and foundations.
He wrote: “The Delta State govwrnment has fulfilled its pledge by taking full financial responsibility for all of Henry’s care in Asaba.
“With his deteriorating situation, however, everyone in the loop of the conversations since yesterday has agreed that Henry needs to be moved immediately to a higher level of medical facilities and care.
“The Governor of Lagos State, on being informed about it, directed immediately that the doors to Lagos State’s best medical facilities be thrown open to Henry.
“The Delta State government have been informed about this new plan and they are happy to co-operate and make it happen ASAP.
“The pledge by the Imo State government still sustains and all they need is information on developments.
“One of the big telecommunication companies in Lagos has made contact and wants to know what help is needed. They will be kept informed, just as the Femi Otedola Foundation will need a clearer picture of what is to be done.”
Odegbami added that arrangements are being made to bring Nwosu to Lagos this week, possibly as soon as tomorrow.
“The modalities to effect the transfer of Henry from Asaba to Lagos is in motion and, hopefully, will be concluded tomorrow.
“God willing, everything working to plan, Henry should be in Lagos on Wednesday with his full medical report preceding his arrival at a Lagos State specialist facility,” he explained.
“For now, the task that must be done with the support of all, is Henry’s transfer into the care of the Lagos State government where the best facilities to deal with his immediate situation are available, and facilities to move him abroad, if the need arises, can be more easily found.
“Henry Nwosu, MON, must not die!”
Odegbami added that members of the St Finbarr’s College old boys association and the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria have played a significant role in coordinating efforts to save the former football star and national team coach’s life.
