Nigerian international John Ogu has been rewarded for his numerous acts of charity by communications outfit All Media in a ceremony in Lagos on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old midfielder was conferred with the “Outstanding Excellence Award For Services To The Nation And Philanthropic Activities To Humanity.”
The award is recognition of the football star’s consistent deployment of his platform, voice and resources in the service of society’s less fortunate and for his contributions to the men’s national team.
“I want to dedicate this award to God, my family, friends teammates, and the youth,” Ogu said, revealing the award was the first he had ever received.
“I hope in the future we will see the youth leading the country to a better place,”
The former Hapoel Beer Sheva player has been praised for his numerous acts of philanthropy over the years most notably seeking out and rewarding a hawker who fed prisoners with his confectioneries and settling a $1,000 medical bill for basketball player Deborah Onah who had been battling spinal tuberculosis.
Ogu has also become a leading advocate for youth empowerment and good governance in Nigeria, playing a leading role in the recent #EndSars protests where he was the first national team player to speak in support of the youth-led movement.
He has played 22 times for the Super Eagles and was part of the squad that finished in third place at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
He is currently in between clubs having left Saudi side Al-Adalh FC earlier in the year.
