Nigerian veteran sports journalist and retired Director Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Akinloye Oyebanj, has died at the age of 62.
His family confirmed to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Oyebanji passed on at National Hospital, Abuja, on Saturday morning after protracted battle with heart failure.
Mr Bukoye Oyebanji and Dr Steve Olarinoye, family member and closed friend, disclosed that Oyebanji had been ill for almost four months now and the family had spent millions of naira to save his life without any improvement.
They said some time ago, he had the misfortune of losing his kidneys, and they were replaced successfully through a transplant in India.
“But one of the side effects of kidney transplant is heart failure, which he had experienced on two occasions and survived.”
NAN reports that Oyebanji served the NTA for 35 years in different capacities, including being a sports broadcaster, and later as General Manager (Sports).
He retired as Managing Director of NTA Properties at the authority’s headquarters in Abuja.
Oyebanji, who hailed from Kwara, is survived by four children and a wife.
About a week ago, family members, friends and colleagues of the deceased had appealed to governments, public-spirited individuals and corporate organisations to assist him with the sum of $25,000.
Steve Olarinoye, a retired sports administrator who spoke on behalf of the group, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital that the money was needed for urgent medical attention.
Mr Olarinoye, a former Zonal Director of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports, disclosed that Mr Oyebanji was critically ill with persistent heart failure.
“He is presently at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the National Hospital in Abuja. But the money needed will be for his transportation and treatment in India, and there will be two caretakers who will accompany him to India,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Mr Oyebanji served the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for 35 years in different capacities, including being a sports broadcaster, and later as General Manager (Sports).
He retired as Managing Director of NTA Properties at the authority’s headquarters in Abuja.
Mr Olarinoye said Mr Oyebanji had been ill for almost four months now and the family had spent over N5 million to save his life without any improvement.
“Sometimes ago, he had the misfortune of losing his kidneys, and they were replaced successfully through a transplant in India.
“But one of the side effects of kidney transplant is heart failure, which he has experienced on two occasions and survived,’’ he said.
Mr Olarinoye disclosed that NTA has however promised to assist Mr Oyebanji with 50 per cent of the money needed to further treat him.
