The remains of former Nigerian boxer and national coach, Obisia Nwakpa, have been in a Lagos morgue for five months due to financial constraints. Nwakpa, known as the “Golden Glove,” passed away on June 3, 2025, at the age of 75, after a prolonged illness. His widow, Franca Nwakpa, has been struggling to raise funds for his burial, having spent over N9 million on his medical treatment.

According to Franca, the family’s financial resources were depleted during Nwakpa’s illness, making it impossible for them to afford the burial expenses. She has written to the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, and the National Olympic Committee, seeking assistance, but has not received a response. Nwakpa’s contributions to Nigerian sports, including his achievements as a boxer and coach, have been overlooked in his time of need.

Nwakpa had a distinguished career, narrowly losing a world title fight to Saoul Mamby in Lagos. He also won gold medals and mentored several champions, earning recognition as Africa’s boxing pride. His widow has now turned to the Abia State government, where Nwakpa originated from, seeking help to lay him to rest. The cost of keeping his body in the morgue has risen to nearly N2 million, while the overall funeral expenses remain a significant burden.

Franca has appealed to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State to intervene, given his reputation for compassion. She hopes to hold the funeral by November 2025, as originally planned. The abandonment of Nwakpa’s body in the morgue has sparked concerns about the treatment of former athletes and sports personalities in Nigeria. The case highlights the need for support systems to ensure that those who have contributed significantly to the country’s sports development are not forgotten in their time of need.