Reps laments death of boxer, orders investigation of non-payment of salaries

The House of Representatives on Thursday adopted a resolution seeking to investigate non payment of salaries of the late ace boxer and Coach, Jerry Okorodudu.

The adoption followed a motion moved by Hon. Anthony Adebayo Adepoju representing Ibarapa Central/North Federal Constituency of Oyo State.

The lawmaker in a motion expresses utter sadness and complete discomfiture of the passing on of one of Nigeria’s greatest boxing legend on 28th June 2023, of partial stroke and foot cancer in a Lagos hospital.

He said: “Further notes that, late Jerry Okorodudu, a prolific and highly talented boxer and boxing coach, born on May 24th, 1959 was an Olympic medalist for Nigeria and an award winning, first grade boxing coach for our Country.

“Also notes that after his meritorious service to fatherland and upon retirement, he was appointed by the Ministry of Sports and seconded to the Nigeria Boxing Federation as the National Coach, where he performed excellently, leading the team to win several gold medals in international contests to the pride and glory of Nigeria.

“Worried that despite the above sterling performance of the deceased in the service of the Nigeria Boxing Federation and the Ministry of Sports, his salaries (his rightful entitlement) was not paid for over 15 years while he was in the employment of the government.

“Also worried that after much persuasions and appeals, meeting deaf ears in the Ministry, the deceased was compelled to approach the Court of Law for payment of the backlog of his salaries where judgment was given to him by the Court, but unfortunately, the judgment remained adamantly disobeyed up till today.

“Further worried that in the course of going through these unpleasant and unpalatable experiences, the deceased health suffered huge set back with him.”

The Lawmaker further explained that at the twilight of the life of the deceased, he was admitted to a private hospital in Lagos for a long time where he was scheduled for an operation to amputate his cancerous leg, but was delayed due to lack of fund, before he eventually gave up the ghost on Wednesday, 28th June 2023.

“Further aware, and most disheartening, that the hospital initially refused to release the corpse of the deceased to the family because of an accumulated unpaid medical bill of ₦600,000.

“Concerned that the fate that befell the deceased compatriot would not have happened if the right thing had been done by his employers and vicariously, Nigeria, which have the capacity to discourage commitment and patriotism of citizens to our dear Nation.”

After contributions by members in favour of the motion, the Speaker of House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas ruled that the Committee on Sports should investigate the alleged nonpayment of late Jerry Okorodudu salaries by the Ministry of Sports and make recommendations towards correcting the wrongs with a view to paying his entitlements including payment of compensation to his family.

He ordered that the Committee should turn it’s report to House in eight weeks time.