Family means so much to so many. Godwin Obinyan wanted his parents to come together under one roof. Dad, a polygamist, broke up with his mom during the Civil War. As first son of the family the young man journeyed to Ibadan from Benin to make peace.
As a footballer, he played for some clubs in Ibadan. From Premier Hotel, Obinyan joined UCH, NCRI and NICOBOARD. With the creation of Ondo State in 1976, the player relocated to Akure to team up with Works Rangers. He was forced to run back to Ibadan by a python.
Obinyan said: “I represented Ondo State at the Kaduna ’77 National Sports Festival. Thereafter, I returned to my club, Works Rangers. Then on a certain Monday morning, during training, an incident made me leave the State immediately.”
The way Obinyan told me the story was funny. There was nothing to hide. A strange event mad me laugh and wonder, at the same time. I was all ears.
He continued: “I went to the bush to ease myself. In the process of emptying my bowel, I felt something cold. When I looked down, what lay there was a black serpent, right under me. I took to my heels, the serpent also disappeared into the undergrowth.
“I didn’t wait to clean up. I jumped the fence and went straight to my coach, one Ogundipe. I narrated what happened as my team mates listened. I flagged down a taxi to my house, packed my belongings and moved straight to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, in Ibadan where I was born. I thought I was going to die.”
It was family problem that took Obinyan to Ibadan in the first place. His mother lived at No. 26 Adamasingba Adebule Lane. He left for Akure and did not find peace. The footballer returned to Ibadan and made the Housing Corporation team.
It was not the last time Obinyan would escape death. Ibadan offered challenges too. He escaped flooding in Ogunpa by a whisker.
“During my time in Ibadan, there was the 1980 Ogunpa disaster. God saved my life. I was frying eggs when the rain started. My mom lived in the Boys Quarters. There was water all over. I ran upstairs from the back. There were 15 persons clinging to the balcony for safety.
“My spirit told me to find my way out. As I made my way downstairs, the whole building went down. Thank God I am good swimmer. I swam to the begining of Adamasingba Adebule Lane.”
Obinyan was as mobile as Ajala, the Globe Trotter. He also played for Dumez, Prisons, New Nigeria Bank, Bendel Insurance, all in Benin. Dragons of Benin Republic later grabbed him. So did ACB, Shooting Stars, Kwara Bombers, Kano Pillars, NPA and NNPC. His star shone at Stationery Stores, Lagos.
“In October 1980, Shooting Stars were invited to Lagos to play in honour of governor Lateef Jakande. They could not make it. Housing took their place. I swear I didn’t know I played well, I can’t remember our opponents now. Stores supporters asked one gentleman called Adisa to bring me to the club at all cost.
“Adisa came to Ibadan and was monitoring me. One Friday afternoon, he approached and asked me to follow him to Lagos, that Stores needed me. In Lagos, we went straight to Team Manager, Anjorin Shittu, better known as Babajo. I spent five years as an Adebajo Babe”.
Obinyan will not forget an African Winners Cup first round, first leg match in Lagos against Libyan club Ahli Benghazi.
“My number was raised up for substitution. An opportunity came. I volleyed the ball into the net in the 80th minute. That was the lone and winning goal. After the goal, I was allowed to continue”.
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Another memorable game was Stores versus Leventis United, Ibadan at Onikan. I was on the bench. First half ended goalless. When the second half began, I begged coach Austin Ofuokwu to give me a chance. He refused because tension was charged.
“I stood up, started warming up and the crowd woke up. Ofuokwu had no choice. I went in for another great player, Wakilu Oyenuga. There was a set piece, Muda Lawal urged me to move forward. A rebound came off Bunmi Adigun. I found the net with a spectacular kick.”
At the end of the match, Leventis goalie, Edward Ansah dashed Obinyan money for scoring a beautiful goal. Rotimi Akeredolu, who is now governor of Ondo State and a staunch Stores supporter also showered the scorer with cash.
Obinyan said : “Ansah gave me 400 naira. Come and see how wonderful Stores supporters showered money on me. I became friend to Mike Inegbese, Rotimi Akeredolu and King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, KWAM 1. The Fuji musician sang my praise at a party later in the night.”
Obinyan played a game for the Green Eagles at the Libya ’82 African Nations Cup. He groomed later day Eagles like Obafemi Martins, Ayo Makinwa and Femi Ajilore. Stars like Ifeanyi Emeghara, Azubuike Oliseh and Joseph Akpala were his boys.
“I tutored, groomed and nurtured some of these boys when they were in secondary school. They were part of my academy, Obinyan Babes.”
His worst moment came against Tate and Lyle, Bacita. He was injured and it was a few days to an African Winners Cup match with Caps United of Zimbabwe.
Obinyan is still crying for Stores to come back from the dead. He also tries to encourage his son, Godwin Obinyan, Junior, to pay attention to soccer.
“Whatever I am today, after my creator, God Almighty, Stores come next. I am not a happy man at all that Stores went underground. If I come back to life after death, I will still love to play for the club.
“I want the world to know that even in my retirement, those that played for Stores, still assist me. God so blessed the Flaming Flamingos that in every sphere, you will find supporters holding big posts and they are always ready to assist,” Obinyan summed up.
