Today makes it three years since dogged crusader against corruption in Nigerian sports, Jide Fashikun (PICTURED), departed this world.
A former athlete himself, Fashikun told truth to power of sports in Nigeria so that other sportsmen could enjoy a better career and a better future.
At his passing, then Sports Minister Solomon Dalung paid a glowing tribute to the fighter of conscience.
“Jide Fashikun was such courageous personality, very intelligent and very patriotic,” Dalung saluted.
“He knew the consequences of standing for rights and justice.
“It was not that he did not know what could likely befall him, he knew. He opted to stand for justice even if it demanded sacrificing his own life, he was willing to offer such a sacrifice.
“The blood of Jide Fashikun will remain an inspiring consolation in the minds of Nigerians who believe in this country and love justice and what is right and good.”
Besides his anti-corruption crusade, Gong News Publisher Fashikun was the one who initiated the ‘Adopt an athlete’ idea for promising athletes to be supported by corporate organisations leading to major competitions.
This idea has since been amplified by Sports Minister Sunday Dare.