On Tuesday evening, the casket of Segun “Success” Olanrewaju— the late Nigerian boxer who collapsed and died during a fight in Ghana back in March—finally arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, concluding a painful, three-month wait for repatriation .
The reception at Lagos airport was deeply emotional. Olanrewaju’s wife, Adebusola, his sisters, and a crowd of family, friends, fellow boxers, supporters, and representatives from the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC) and Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) stood in solemn vigil around the coffin as it was carried out of customs around 7:15 p.m., following cargo delays that pushed back its slated 4 p.m. arrival .
Leading the Ghanaian delegation, Abraham Boakye expressed sorrow and solidarity. A GBA official, Gideon Appiah, apologized for logistical delays related to a seven-member investigative panel set up by Ghana’s Sports Ministry and presented a $3,000 goodwill gesture to Olanrewaju’s family—a combination of his unpaid fight purse and assistance towards funeral costs .
Dr Rafiu Ladipo of the NBBofC, who accepted the token on behalf of the bereaved family, thanked everyone involved for ensuring Segun’s final journey home was completed with dignity . The emotional scene was captured on video, showing mourners breaking down in tears as the casket was escorted out .
