It was reliably gathered that Coach Lad was taken to the hospital after he was discharged at a private hospital he had been on admission for three months. “It was learnt that he was lying on the hospital floor, pending the time a stretcher was brought. However, it took the intervention of a doctor friend of Lad’s first son, Olawale, who saw his bosom friend and had to rally support for the sick father of his friend.
As at the time of filing this report, Coach was at the resuscitation room of the emergency ward at UCH. The doctors, it was gathered, were battling to save his life. He has been put on a life support machine, breathing through oxygen gadgets firmly fixed on his nose. Olawale Ladipo, his son, said he was grateful to the doctors attending to his father, though it was a bit late before they started attending to him. He expressed hope that all would be well at the end of the day.
“We were not the only persons and there seems to be congestion at the hospital, but immediately it was our turn, the treatment has been splendid so far,” he said.
One of the doctors, who pleaded anonymity referred Daily Sunsports to the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, who expressed optimism that the coach would soon recover, adding that his recovery would be very slow, owing to his age.
“I have not been handed his file by the team that had been attending to him since the wee hours of the morning, but I can assure you that all would be well,” he assured.
Further investigation revealed that Coach Lad, would have been moved to a better ward at South West 3, but had to remain at the emergency ward, owing to lack of electricity supply needed to power the lift service to move him to the ward, therefore, doctors had to continue observing his progress at the Resuscitation Unit of the Emergency Ward.
Early callers at the hospital include; Dr. Steve Olarinoye, the Director, South West Zone of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Chairman of the Shooting Stars Supporters Club, Alhaji Sina Inaolaji, Mr. Rafiu Salami, Alhaji Yinusa Alani, and Morakinyo Abodunrin.
They wer unhappy with the country’s medical service and called for change. “To be honest with you, it could be anybody, anyone could find himself in this helpless situation and something must be done,” Alhaji Sina Inaolaji said.
Shooting Stars Supporters Club’s Chairman, Inaolaji, however, thanked the Oyo State Government for all the support rendered so far to ensure that Jossy stays alive. He, however, enjoined all Nigerians, especially Ibadan and Oyo State indigenes, including the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to come out en masse to support Coach Jossy Lad now that he needed help.
“We have lost Best Ogedegbe, Joe Appiah, and Rasidi Yekini. They are illustrious sons of the country, who had served the nation meritoriously. how come the football federation is not saying anything now.
“Let all of us appreciate a man who has been there for our Shooting Stars and football in the country and I know they will heed to our clarion call.
“Coach Lad is a fine gentleman, who had done so much for the sport in this part of the globe. I want thank the state government for the support given so far, but we need more philanthropic moves from God fearing generous people of Oyo State to come out and support this man. He is great citizen of Ibadan and all hands must be on deck to save him.”
Mr. Rafiu Salami, a former teammate and coach during the WNDC and IICCs Shooting Stars days said the situation was beyond our control now and believes in miracles even as he charged Nigerians to pray his friend and colleague. Alhaji Yinusa Alani Salami said: “Jossy Lad is someone that should not be in a situation where we should be soliciting support for him, however, I want thank the State Government for rising up to the occasion, but he needs further help.
“Morakinyo Abodunrin on his own enjoined all Nigerians to pray for Coach Jossy’s quick recovery. Also, the Chairman Shooting Stars Board of Directors in a telephone interview stated that the board was doing its best and is ready to do more if need be.”
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Commissioner for Sports, Dapo Lam Adesina, has re-assured the family of his support for the veteran coach saying, “Coach Jossy is our father and we shall continue to support him. This present government has stood by him since we heard of his present condition in January, and we shall not relent on our effort so that the labour of our heroes past will not be in vain.”
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