It was a moment of surprise on Tuesday at the Governor’s office in Agodi, Ibadan, when Abiodun Adegoke, a rising basketball star whose reputation has preceded his career, met with the Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal.
Barr. Lawal, who was in company of Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye; Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. (Alhaja) Fausat Joke Sanni; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Wasilat Adegoke and other top functionaries, equally received in audience Abiodun’s mother, Mrs Jennet Adegoke and his brother, Matthew Adegoke as well as the Founder and CEO of MPAC Sports, Mr Luqman Rashad.
He described Adegoke as a special gift from God, urging him to continue being a good representative of Oyo state and Nigeria at large.
He declared that the state government of Oyo appreciates talent and will keep providing the needed support for sports and education, among other things, to put the good people of Oyo state on global page.
The Deputy Governor urged Adegoke to concentrate on his professional career, keep developing his skills, and not give up in any way, pointing out that players like Ronaldo, Messi, Usain Bolt, and other sports enthusiasts are succeeding and earning a lot of money, and that he is a unique gift and a pride of the state.
The Deputy Governor, however, thanked Mr. Luqman Rashad, the founder and CEO of MPAC Sports, for being a pillar of support to the Ibadan-born Basketball player both physically and financially.
He equally commended Abiodun’s brother, Matthew Adegoke, and mother, Mrs. Jennet Adegoke, for providing him with mental support and making sure he becomes an international basketball player.
Earlier, Mrs. Adegoke, who revealed that she resides in Ibadan’s Eleyele Area, stated that his father, Adegoke Waheed, a retired Nigerian Army soldier, passed away many years ago.
She said after giving birth to Abiodun and he began to grow, she was surprised because his height was phenomenal for a boy of his age.
“When I was giving birth to him, he arrived in a wonderful way because I didn’t feel any pain during labour, like I did before I gave birth to his siblings.
I didn’t go to the hospital. I gave birth to him in my room with no difficulty. He was big and slightly fatter than any other baby I had ever had. When he started growing, I noticed something that surprised me.
“I am aware that I am somewhat tall, but not to the same level as Abiodun.” Although I am aware of how tall my father and my husband’s father were, my son’s height is unmatched.
Mrs. Adegoke, however, thanked Mr. Luqman, stating that he had been amazing in providing for Abiodun and the whole family, including her and Daddy before he died.
“He has become like a family member as I regard him as my blood brother now,” the woman added.
Abiodun was unique as a child, according to the older brother Mathew Adegoke, who also mentioned that “he was so tall that if he offended me, I would jump before I could slap him” in his brief remarks.
According to him, It got to a point that if he wanted to go out, he would bend his back to come down to the level of his friends.”
“As a kid, he hardly went out. He was always indoors, very gentle and talked little,” Mathew said.
On his part, the Founder of MPAC Sports, Mr Luqman Rashad stated that Abiodun Adegoke is the tallest most active basketball player in the world with 7-11ft.
He posited that people all over the world, including the royal family in the United Arab Emirates and others, have been taking notice of his profile and wanting him around.
As a well-known international figure with hundreds of thousands of followers, he stated that he had travelled home to receive stamp approval, emphasising that everyone want to take ownership of him.
“Abiodun Adegoke is becoming more and more well-known worldwide. Therefore, we want him to receive recognition from his home country as well. Everyone seeks to learn more about him and his background”, he said.
