Senator Shehu Sani has called upon the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to extend their assistance to former professional footballer Daniel Joshua, who is currently battling with a debilitating illness.
The Kaduna-born politician took to social media to share an update on his recent visit to Joshua, who has been confined to a bed for the past 15 years.
Senator Shehu Sani expressed his concern and highlighted the challenges faced by the former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles star. Joshua sustained a severe spinal cord injury as a result of a car accident while on his way to the Minna Eagles camp, having been invited by the NFF.
Despite his contributions to Nigerian football, Joshua has not received adequate support during his long and difficult journey of recovery.
The Senator emphasized the importance of providing assistance to Joshua, noting that the Niger State Government, under the leadership of Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, had generously contributed to his treatment for a certain period before discontinuing their support.
The NFF, on the other hand, had only provided a meager sum of 500,000 Naira and subsequently abandoned him.
Senator Shehu Sani drew attention to the neglect faced by Joshua, a player who had even turned down a lucrative contract with Atletico Madrid to represent his country. Despite scoring a crucial goal in Nigeria’s victory at the 2007 World Cup in Korea, he has been left in a state of abandonment by the sports authorities in his own country.
The Senator expressed his disappointment at how athletes, who are expected to display patriotism and represent Nigeria with pride, are often forgotten when they face difficult circumstances. He called upon the new government and the new leadership of the NFF to come to the aid of Joshua and others in similar situations.
It is evident that the plight of Daniel Joshua, a recipient of the prestigious national honors award, calls for immediate attention and support from both the government and the NFF.
The Nigerian sporting authorities should prioritize the well-being of their former athletes, demonstrating their commitment to the welfare and care of those who have dedicated their lives to representing the country.
 to extend their assistance){kind=link}