Sports stakeholders, broadcasters express condolences over Oyatogun’s death

Stakeholders in sports and sports broadcasters on Monday expressed condolences over the death of veteran sports broadcaster, Walter Oyatogun.
Oyatogun, an ex-sports broadcaster with the Nigerian Television Authority, died on February 14.
His daughter, Mofe Oyatogun, said that her father died after suffering from “several attacks of stroke”.
Paul Ogazi, a veteran sports commentator with the NTA, said Oyatogun was a source of inspiration to the sporting world.
Ogazi added that Oyatogun would not be easily forgotten because of the impact he made on the profession and the people he came across.
He said: “Although, his death came as a shock, he was a source of inspiration to us when we were just coming up in the profession.
“He was a thorough man and that was what made him stand out the more.”
Ogazi then called on the younger generation of journalists to aspire to be like the iconic broadcaster.
He added: “Young sports journalists should aim to be like him.
“His hardworking nature made him stand out and we will not forget his good deeds.”
Trigo Egbegi, a renowned boxing analyst and former Secretary, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, said it was a shocking event, adding that his former colleague, Oyatogun, would not be forgotten.
Egbegi said: “It is shocking news to hear he is gone now.
“I knew he had been ill but this is a shock to me.
“Walter has always been a close friend and colleague.
“He always had a way of making everything interesting to us rookies then.
“Even though he was our senior, he was always friendly and a wonderful man in general and he would be greatly missed.”
Chuka Momah, a former presenter of tennis events on NTA and ex-President, Nigeria Tennis Federation, described Oyatogun as a dedicated journalist.
Momah said the deceased would be missed for his panache and for his spectacular manner of sports commentary on television.
He said: “He was a fine gentleman, my friend and a committed journalist.
“He had a flair for sports journalism and I’m glad to say I worked alongside him and other colleagues like Yinka Craig and Fabio Olanipekun.
“We were like a family because he made it seem that way.
“We will definitely miss him.”
Humphery Nwosu, a sports writer for Supersports.com, described Oyatogun as a remarkable man and would be known for all he had done for sports in the country.
Nwosu said: “He was a household name in sports.
“I worked with NTA and had a little romance with boxing before he started sports commentaries.
“He lived well but unfortunately suffered from stoke three times.
“That is a lot to deal with.
“He will be missed immensely, even now that we in Nigeria are trying to come to terms with sports.”
The family had yet to announce his burial plans.