Academics, Discipline, and Sports at Saint Finbarr’s College: Tributes to Finbarr’s Great Soccer Players

By Deji Badiru

This is a book of historical legacy of a Catholic secondary school in Lagos, Nigeria, with a long-term reputation for academic excellence, student discipline, and soccer superiority. The focus of this book is to salute, recognize, and celebrate the special group of Students, the soccer players, of Saint Finbarr’s College, Lagos, Nigeria. Much has been written about the accomplishments of other groups of ex-Finbarrians, but nothing has been written collectively about the soccer players. It is a book targeting the alumni of the school to bring appropriate glory and recognition to the soccer players of the school, many of whom have gone on to play for the Nigerian National Team as well as play professionally around the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jan 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9781663249845

Deji Badiru

Deji Badiru is a Professor of Systems Engineering in Dayton, Ohio. He is a registered professional engineer and a fellow of the Institute of Industrial Engineers as well as a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. He has a BS degree in Industrial Engineering, MS in Mathematics, and MS in Industrial Engineering from Tennessee Technological University, and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida. He is the author of several books and technical journal articles.

Book preview

CONTENTS

Author’s Extended Biographical Sketch

Dedication

Statement Of Endorsement

Acknowledgements

List Of Finbarr’s Soccer Players Over The Decades

Chapter 1     Introduction

Chapter 2     Origin Of Saint Finbarr’s College

Chapter 3     My Time At Finbarr’s: Academics And Discipline

Chapter 4     Great Times At Finbarr’s: Nexus Of Soccer And Academics

Chapter 5     Paul Okoku: Finbarr’s Soccer Great

Chapter 6     Nathaniel Ogedegbe: Finbarr’s Soccer Great

Chapter 7     Steven Keshi: Finbarr’s Soccer Great

Chapter 8     Chris Oyobio: Finbarr’s Soccer Great

Chapter 9     General Testimonials Of Finbarrians

Chapter 10   My Own Soccer Sojourn

Conclusion

Appendix A: Tribute To Bernard Senaya By John Senaya

Appendix B: Author’s Tribute To Bernard Senaya

Appendix C: Joe Igbokwe’s Tribute To Father Slattery And Saint Finbarr’s College

Appendix D: Soccer Songs Of Saint Finbarr’s College

Books in the ABICS Publications Book Series

(www.abicspublications.com)

1.Academics, Discipline, and Sports at Saint Finbarr’s College: Tributes to Finbarr’s Great Soccer Players, 2023

2.More Physics of Soccer: Playing the Game Smart and Safe, 2022

3.Rapidity: Time Management on the Dot, iUniverse, Bloomington, Indiana, 2022.

4.The Physics of Skateboarding: Fun, Fellowship, and Following, 2021.

5.My Everlasting Education at Saint Finbarr’s College: Academics, Discipline, and Sports, 2020.

6.Twenty-Fifth Hour: Secrets to Getting More Done Every Day, 2020.

7.Kitchen Project Management: The Art and Science of an Organized Kitchen, 2020.

8.Wives of the Same School: Tributes and Straight Talk, 2019

9.The Rooster and the Hen: The Story of Love at Last Look, 2018

10.Kitchen Physics: Dynamic Nigerian Recipes, 2018.

11.The Story of Saint Finbarr’s College: Father Slattery’s Contributions to Education and Sports in Nigeria, 2018.

12.Physics of Soccer II: Science and Strategies for a Better Game, 2018

13.Kitchen Dynamics: The rice way, 2015

14.Consumer Economics: The value of dollars and sense for money management, 2015

15.Youth Soccer Training Slides: A Math and Science Approach, 2014

16.My Little Blue Book of Project Management, 2014

17.8 by 3 Paradigm for Time Management, 2013

18.Badiru’s Equation of Student Success: Intelligence, Common Sense, and Self-discipline, 2013

19.Isi Cookbook: Collection of Easy Nigerian Recipes, 2013

20.Blessings of a Father: Education contributions of Father Slattery at Saint Finbarr’s College, 2013.

21.Physics in the Nigerian Kitchen: The Science, the Art, and the Recipes, 2013

22.The Physics of Soccer: Using Math and Science to Improve Your Game, 2010

23.Getting things done through project management, 2009

24.Blessings of a Father: A Tribute to the Life and Work of Reverend Father Denis J. Slattery, Heriz Designs and Prints, Lagos, Nigeria, 2005

AUTHOR’S EXTENDED

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Professor Adedeji Badiru (Deji Badiru) is a Professor of Systems Engineering and also SES-level Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering and Management at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). He has oversight for planning, directing, and controlling operations related to granting doctoral and master’s degrees for the US Air Force. He was previously Professor and Head of Systems Engineering and Management at AFIT, Professor and Department Head of Industrial Engineering at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville, and Professor of Industrial Engineering and Dean of University College at the University of Oklahoma, Norman. He is a registered Professional Engineer (PE), a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a Fellow of the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers, a Fellow of the Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Society, and a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. He is also a Program Evaluator for ABET. He holds a leadership certificate from the University Tennessee Leadership Institute. He has BS in Industrial Engineering, MS in Mathematics, and MS in Industrial Engineering from Tennessee Technological University, and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida. His areas of interest include mathematical modeling, project modeling and analysis, economic analysis, systems engineering modeling, computer simulation, and productivity analysis. He is a prolific author, with over 38 books, over 32 book chapters, over 140 Journal and magazine articles, and over 200 conference presentations. He is a member of several professional associations and scholastic honor societies. Professor Badiru, a world-renowned educator, has won several awards for his teaching, research, administrative, and professional accomplishments. Some of his selected awards include the 2009 Dayton Affiliate Society Council Award for Outstanding Scientists and Engineers in the Education category with a commendation from the 128th Senate of Ohio, 2010 ASEE John Imhoff Award for his global contributions to Industrial Engineering Education, the 2011 Federal Employee of the Year Award in the Managerial Category from the International Public Management Association, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, the 2012 Distinguished Engineering Alum Award from the University of Central Florida, the 2012 Medallion Award from the Institute of Industrial Engineers for his global contributions in the advancement of the profession, 2016 Outstanding Global Engineering Education Award from the Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2015 Air Force-level Winner of the National Public Service Award from The American Society for Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration, 2013 Father D. J. Slattery Excellence Award from Saint Finbarr’s College Alumni Association - North America, 2013 Award Team Leader, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award for Air University C3 (Cost Conscious Culture), 2013 Finalist for Jefferson Science Fellows Program, National Academy of Sciences, 2012 Book-of-the-Month Recognition for Statistical Techniques for Project Control from the Industrial Engineering Magazine, the 2009 Industrial Engineering Joint Publishers Book-of-the-Year Award for The Handbook of Military Industrial Engineering and 2020 for The Story of Industrial Engineering. Professor Badiru is also the book series editor for CRC Press/Taylor & Francis book series on Systems Innovation. He has served as a consultant to several organizations around the world including Russia, UK, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, Nigeria, and Ghana. He has conducted customized training workshops for numerous organizations including Sony, AT&T, Seagate Technology, U.S. Air Force, Oklahoma Gas & Electric, Oklahoma Asphalt Pavement Association, Hitachi, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, and ExxonMobil. He has served as a Technical Project Reviewer, curriculum reviewer, and proposal reviewer for several organizations including The Third-World Network of Scientific Organizations, Italy, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, National Science Foundation, National Research Council, and the American Council on Education. He is on the editorial and review boards of several technical journals and book publishers. Prof. Badiru has also served as an Industrial Development Consultant to the United Nations Development Program. In 2011, Prof. Badiru led a research team to develop analytical models for Systems Engineering Research Efficiency (SEER) for the Air Force acquisitions integration office at the Pentagon. He has led a multi-year multi-million-dollar research collaboration between the Air Force Institute of Technology and KBR Aerospace Group. Prof. Badiru has diverse areas of avocation. His professional accomplishments are coupled with his passion for writing about everyday events and interpersonal issues, especially those dealing with social responsibility. Outside of the academic realm, he writes motivational poems, editorials, and newspaper commentaries; as well as engaging in paintings and crafts. Professor Badiru is the 2020 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Taylor and Francis publishing group. He was also part of the AFIT team that led the institution’s receipt of the 2019/2020 US Air Force Organizational Excellence Award. Professor Badiru is also the recipient of the 2022 BEYA career achievement award in Government category. He holds a US Trademark for DEJI Systems Model for Design, Evaluation, Justification, and Integration.

DEDICATION

Dedicated to the memory of Reverend Father Denis J. Slattery (February 29, 1916 – July 7, 2003, an Irish Catholic Priest, who invested his entire clergy career to Saint Finbarr’s College and the advancement of sports in Nigeria. May his soul rest in peace.

Also recognized in this dedication is Pelé (born Edson Arantes do Nascimento: October 23, 1940 – December 29, 2022), the soccer legend, who transformed the game of soccer into a worldwide phenomenon, adoringly referred to as the beautiful game. Beyond his soccer field skills, he was the ultimate soccer gentleman and ambassador. May his soul rest in peace.

STATEMENT OF ENDORSEMENT

Nothing tells the story of a book better than an endorsement from someone of high regard, who is very close to the theme and premise of the book. Below is the statement of endorsement by former Soccer Great of Saint Finbarr’s College, Mr. Paul Okoku.

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The stories, accounts, testimonies, graphics, and pictures in this book help solidify the book’s overall goal, content, and quality for the readers. Particularly, the chapter dedicated to my content production. I thank Professor Badiru for his time, dedication, efforts, and selfless work to promote, specifically, Saint Finbarr’s College’s local, national and international football players, the school’s history and successes as conquerors" of the Principal Cup in Lagos, Nigeria. We have a very rich and respected program, when it comes to footballing talent. Father Slattery was intentional about this. Kudos for promoting this enviable legacy. This is highly recommended for all readers, globally. Good luck and all the best.

Paul Okoku

January 2, 2023

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I gratefully acknowledge the many years of Finbarr’s fellowship and fidelity with my fellow alumni of Saint Finbarr’s College. In particular, I would like to thank Paul Okoku, one of the greatest soccer players of Finbarr’s, whose proactive provision of personal Finbarr’s testimonials, professional data, and photos facilitated the constant incentive for me to get this book completed and published. His submissions were instrumental in creating the literary framework for this book.

LIST OF FINBARR’S SOCCER

PLAYERS OVER THE DECADES

Powerful names have played soccer for Saint Finbarr’s College over the decades. For the same of promoting Finbarr’s Fellowship, the list below (subject to corrections and updates) recognizes and celebrates Finbarr’s soccer players from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s.

1.Abiodun Jide Idowu (Jen Cut)

2.Abudu Momoh

3.Ademola Segun Fetuga

4.Aghenu Okpanachi

5.Akinyosoye

6.Alani Farawe

7.Alex Agbedetse

8.Alex Kofi

9.Amaechi Nwogu

10.Anthony Daniel

11.Anthony Mbong

12.Anthony Orji

13.Aronu Ogugo (Gorimapa)

14.Ayanwale Ganiyu

15.B Atalaye

16.Bazooka

17.Bello Kunta

18.Benedict Oyobio

19.Benson Ajighevi

20.Bernard Senaya (Baba Alli)

21.Cajetan Obinatu

22.Charles Ajighevi

23.Charles Chizea

24.Chris Anigala

25.Chris Oyobio

26.Chris Uwajie

27.Cosmos Irhurhe

28.Cyril Braimoh

29.Cyril Iweze

30.Daisi Adama

31.Daisi Adama

32.Daniel Smart

33.David Biddel

34.David Etemire

35.Dennis Echefu

36.Desmond Chibogwu (Cardoso Caramba)

37.Dukedom Uti

38.Duru

39.Eddy Akika (Edward Akika)

40.Edemson

41.Efita Etim

42.Eke Sohua

43.Ekwe Ekwe

44.Emeka Akuneto

45.Emeka James (Caterpillar)

46.Emilio John (Esubio)

47.Emmanuel Okoh

48.Emmanuel Senaya

49.Emmanuel Yola

50.Eno Young

51.Fabian Duru

52.Felix Anthony Ogbogoh

53.Felix Egogo

54.Felix Egogo (Barber Chair)

55.Felix Ekwem

56.Francis Ogedengbe

57.Francis Ohuruogu

58.George Akhigbe

59.Gerald Ibe

60.Gideon Egogo

61.Gilbert Obesem

62.Godwin Beragin

63.Godwin Iweha

64.Godwin Odiye

65.Gregory Nwokedi (Warambe)

66.Henry Nwosu (Olu Congo)

67.Ifeanyi Agbenu

68.Ifeanyi Aghenu

69.Ignatius Udeh

70.Issah Ahmed

71.Jackson

72.James Akinbohunje

73.James Ekpeyoung

74.Jaokin Aromu Onela

75.Jim Kelly

76.Jimoh Balogun

77.Joe Enagwuna

78.John Ijegwa

79.John Odion Itohan

80.Jonah Onyo

81.Jonathan Goodluck

82.Jones Nseyo

83.Joseph Ogar

84.Kola Balogun

85.Kola Ojomo

86.Lakhan Okuribido

87.MAC Odu

88.Marcellus Obinatu

89.Martin Eyo

90.Maxwell Akpan

91.Michael Ogundeyi

92.Michael Oyedele

93.Monday Kanu

94.Muri Sanni

95.Muyiwa Oshuntolu

96.Nathaniel Ogedegbe

97.Nduka Ugbade

98.Nduka Ugbade

99.Nojeem Farawe

100.Nosiru

101.Obe Adedeji (Obey Reggae)

102.Obitor

103.Okoh

104.Okon King

105.Olaniyi Oguntokun (Akoto)

106.Olufunso Gay

107.Olumide Banjo

108.Olushola Akanji

109.Patrick Dey Adinkwe

110.Patrick Obitor

111.Patrick Onyedeke

112.Paul Okoku

113.Paul Oshogbe

114.Peter Daniel

115.Peter Egbiri (Pele)

116.Peter Ogankpa

117.Peter Oshogbe

118.Popse

119.R Ozim

120.Rasheed Ajibade

121.Raymond King

122.Reginald Diya

123.Rotimi Dalmeida

124.RTN Onyeje

125.Rufus Uwaje

126.Sam Owoh

127.Samson Siasia

128.Segun Akurie

129.Shola Davies

130.Shyllon

131.Stephen Elesha

132.Stephen Keshi

133.Sunday Joseph

134.Sunny Igwegwe (Atumah)

135.Taiwo Enegwea

136.Thomas Uwebo

137.Timiye James

138.Tony Amayo

139.Tony Eyo

140.Uduka Ugbade

141.Ume Umealo

142.Victor Odiase

143.Victor Opene

144.Wakilu Oyenuga (Granboski)

145.Willy

146.Wilson Itive

147.Yabrikila

148.Yakubu Okpanachi

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

There is no school comparable to Saint Finbarr’s College. All the Boys of Finbarr’s will proclaim or boast. It turns out that this is not just an empty boast, but an accurate proclamation. So much so that an old Boy of Finbarr’s, Nathaniel Ogedegbe, rightfully affirm that Finbarr’s is The best high school above all high schools on the planet. Those who have experienced Finbarr’s firsthand or through its diverse impacts can joyfully confirm this statement. In this book, I will explain why this statement is true and why all Boys of Finbarr’s abide by this exalted expectation. Casual observers may snicker about this claim; however, a direct observation will make believers out of naysayers. An analogy from the sales and marketing industry claims a view will convince you. It is a documented fact that graduates of the school have made remarkable impacts in various sectors of society, ranging from sports, medicine, business, academia, industry, government, the military, and politics. I am appreciative that my Finbarr’s colleagues recognized me with the Distinguished Conqueror (DC) award in 1998. This is a recognition that I greatly value. My DC plaque, shown below, has occupied a special display consistently in my home since it was received.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK

Why is this book needed? While there is much to write about the diverse accomplishments of ex-Finbarrians (aka Old Boys, Conquerors), the purpose of this present book is to salute, recognize, and celebrate the special group of Finbarr’s Students, the soccer players (the footballers, if we wish to subscribe to the British moniker). Much has been written about the accomplishments of other groups of ex-Finbarrians, but nothing has been written collectively about our footballers. This book represents the first crack towards achieving the goal of having dedicated book to Finbarr’s footballers. We know many of the former Finbarr’s players, but we cannot take it for granted that we know all of their sports exploits. This book helps to bring