- This warm, convivial, splendid and uplifting hangout rooted in camaraderie and brotherhood elicited heartwarming comments on social media
For many Nigerians, music and football are not just vehicles of entertainment. They are the cord of unity, the twig of brotherhood. They bind the scruffy wealthy trader in Onitsha market to the daintily dressed, upwardly mobile millennial bank worker in Lagos. They have, especially football, also become a form of escapism for many troubled, despondent and hopeless Nigerians who are looking for ways to take their minds off the prevailing harsh and dispiriting socio-economic realities in the country.
While Nigerians immensely cherish the social bond, cultural affinity, glory and bragging rights music and football offer them, seeing the people—artists and footballers — who make this possible in the same space is a rarity. The football season in Europe ends in May, and that means footballers have the opportunity, albeit for some time, to spend ample time with their families. Some go on vacation while others return to their home country to have a nice time with extended family members and friends. Many top Nigerian footballers who ply their trade in Europe have also returned home to breathe the air and feel the pulse of their fatherland. Among these footballers are Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, and Peter Olayinka.
Osimhen, Boniface in Lagos
Putting behind the controversy and intrigues that have dogged his transfer to a new club after his unceremonious exit from Napoli, Osimhen decided to spend his short summer break in Lagos with his family and friends. While in Lagos, an affable and open-minded, Osimhen also met with Nigerian music stars. The cheeky and jovial Bayern Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface, was also in Lagos to unwind after a long, gruelling season.
The big link-up
During their time in Lagos, Osimhen and Boniface met with sensational Nigerian rapper, Tochukwu Gbubemi Ojogwu, widely known as Odumodublvck. Odumodu shared pictures of the link-up on his social media page.
Odumodublvck, a football aficionado, who is known for sharing his views and knowledge about the round leather game on social media and also occasionally dabbles into trending football discourse and debates with netizens, was spotted wearing a retro Juventus jersey reminiscent of Alessandro Del Piero’s iconic number 10 and also donned an Okpu Agu hat.
Boniface and Osimhlink up with Odumodubl,vck, who went viral with his massive hit “Declan Rice” named after Arsenal and England midfielder, highlighting the importance of music and football to Nigeria as a nation whose biggest exports emanate from these two professions.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DKzwOMToZ7P/?igsh=ZDZ2bTZmc3UydDN
The grand rendezvous
After their link-up at the club, in what appears to be the deepening and strengthening of their friendship, Odumodu hosted Osimhen and Boniface at his home in Lagos. Only this time around, Osimhen and Boniface were not the only football stars around; Peter Olayinka, a Serbian club Red Star Belgrade forward, also joined the team. This warm, convivial, splendid and uplifting hangout rooted in camaraderie and brotherhood elicited heartwarming comments on social media.
A prayer for the players.
At the rendezvous, Odumodu’s mother also prayed for the players and offered some admonition and wise counsel that are expected from an elder.
This link-up between the artist and the players underscored the importance of music and football to Nigeria’s socio-cultural and economic dynamics and the fact that the parties understand this and are willing to use it to create a mutually beneficial relationship and a bromance that delivers the unique attraction and enjoyment that Nigerians get from their profession and endeavours is something worth mentioning.
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