The remains of Nigeria’s legendary boxer and former national coach, Obisia Nwakpa, have reportedly been left in a Lagos morgue for over five months, as his widow struggles to raise funds for his burial.
Nwakpa, fondly known as the “Golden Glove”, died on June 3, 2025, at the age of 75, after a prolonged battle with ill health. Once hailed as Africa’s boxing pride and one of Nigeria’s most successful fighters, Nwakpa’s death has drawn attention to the plight of many forgotten sports heroes who served their nation but received little support in retirement.
In an emotional interview, his widow, Madam Franca Nwakpa, revealed that the family spent more than ₦9 million on medical expenses during her husband’s long illness, leaving them financially drained and unable to afford the burial.
“The sickness exhausted everything we had,” she said tearfully. “Now, even the burial has become impossible. His body has been in the mortuary for months because I can’t afford to continue paying the bills or transport him home for burial.”
According to her, the family has made several appeals to the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), and the National Olympic Committee (NOC), but none have responded.
“It is heartbreaking that after serving Nigeria for over 40 years as a boxer, a national coach, and an international representative, no one has reached out,” she lamented.
“Obisia brought glory to this country. He won gold, raised champions, and gave his best to Nigerian sports. Yet, in death, he is forgotten.”
Nwakpa’s illustrious boxing career spanned decades, and he was once a household name in African sports. He represented Nigeria in multiple international tournaments, winning medals across Africa and coaching a generation of boxers who would go on to represent the country on the global stage.
He famously fought for the World Light Welterweight title against American boxer Saoul Mamby in Lagos a bout still remembered by fans across Africa for its intensity and near-upset result.
Following her failed appeals to federal authorities, Madam Franca said she turned to the Abia State Government, her late husband’s home state, for help.
“I have been travelling to Umuahia at great cost, meeting with the Commissioner and Director of Sports,” she explained. “They promised to reach out to Governor Alex Otti, who is known for his compassion. I am pleading with him to intervene.”
She added that the cost of keeping her husband’s body in the morgue has now reached nearly ₦2 million, while the total expenses required for the funeral are far beyond her means.
“I never believed Nigerian sports authorities could abandon Obisia like this,” she said, fighting back tears. “He gave his life to boxing and mentored many who are still active today.”
Madam Franca appealed to Governor Otti, friends of her late husband, and well-meaning Nigerians to come to her aid so that Obisia can be laid to rest by November 2025, as she originally planned.
“Obisia should not be left abandoned in death,” she pleaded. “He made Nigeria proud, he made Abia proud. All I ask is help to give him a dignified farewell.”
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