Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed his condolences following the death of Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, a celebrated football coach who significantly contributed to Nigerian football both as a player and a coach. Onigbinde, who died at the age of 88, is renowned for leading the Super Eagles to their historic participation at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea. His coaching tenure also included guiding the Green Eagles to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, marking significant milestones in Nigeria's football history.

The governor's statement, released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, highlighted Onigbinde's legacy as one of Nigeria's finest coaches, reflecting on his profound impact on the nation's sporting culture. Sanwo-Olu referred to Onigbinde's death as a painful loss, not just for the family and friends of the late coach but for all Nigerians, particularly football aficionados who revered him as a national icon. The governor also extended condolences to the Onigbinde family, the Osun State Government, and the Nigerian Football Federation, acknowledging the collective grief felt by the football community.

Onigbinde's legacy is marked by his dedication to nurturing talent in Nigerian football and his contributions to the national team's progress on the global stage. The mourning of this football legend underscores the deep bond that exists between sports and national identity in Nigeria, illustrating how the lives of sports figures can resonate within the broader narrative of the country's culture and history.