CLARA OSHIOMOHLE TOUCHED ATHLETES' LIVES, SAYS IGBITI

EVEN in death, the good works of the Late Clara Oshiomhole have continued to reverberate as special sports' coach, Patience Igbiti, recounts instances where the late first lady had been of help to special persons.

Igbiti, who is the Edo State powerlifting coach, told The Guardian from her base that the encounter she had with the late first lady at the National Sports Festival in Kaduna in 2009 would forever remain in her memory.

'I was impressed with her when she visited us at the National Sports Festival in Kaduna last year with her husband to encourage us,' she said.

'As a coach, I was happy that she took time out to see the athletes and advice them on the need to do their best in their chosen field.

'The athletes were happy that she took personal interest in their welfare and they promised to do the state proud; this they did by finishing second in Kaduna.'

The Olympian noted that she was also interested in the plight of every physically-challenged person in the state and not just the special athletes, whom she encouraged to put in their best in whatever they did.

According to Igbiti, 'it is on record that she built home for the physically challenged, whom she took special interest in, and was also instrumental to the appointment of one of my athletes, Ovenseri Idoze, to the position of Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties.'

The powerlifting coach said that late Oshiomhole lived a worthy life worth emulating, adding that it was not surprising that eminent personalities turned up en masse at her burial last week.

She further called on the athletes and everyone whose life has received a lift through contact with the amiable and caring first lady to continue in the good way and become a shinning example of what she lived for.