Every Nigerian both young and old must have come across the Olympic exercise book,but what inspired this Olympic exercise book? Beyond a simple design, this exercise book symbolizes much more.
What many may not know is that It is a book that holds a portion of the Nigerian history and not just your “lesson teachers” homework and has preserved it till this day.
Has anyone thought to know the man on the cover? No? Well anyone familiar with history will just mention the name Emmanuel Ifeajuna.
Who was he?
Before your Usain Bolt`s and Maurice Greens there was Emmanuel Ifeajuna. He was an Igbo young man from, Onitsha precisely and was the first African ever to win a gold medal on the international level.
His victory came from the high jump category during the 1954 Empire commonwealth Games in Vancouver. With his success, he blazed the trail for many more international successes. He was not just the Nigerian dream back then but also the pride of Africa.
No one would have thought the same people he did proud at this one significant time would not blink to gun his life out. His tragic end was unprecedented for a young vibrant athlete who put Africa on international sports map with his world-record. That’s why he was idolized on that small blue exercise book we love so much.
Interesting right?
Eiyaa touching story.. thanks for this informative article.
Manny the long lost MDB’er
Emmanuel Ifeajuna was unfortunately convicted of treason by Ojukwu (then leader of Biafra) and subsequently executed
Interesting