2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has expressed “deep concern” after learning of the “unfortunate incident involving our own Taiwo Awoniyi while giving his best on the field for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, suffered a severe injury in the line of duty”.
The Super Eagles star’s injury “has now been revealed as a ruptured intestine.”
The former Governor of Anambra State prayed, “May he recover fully and return stronger. And may we build a country where such sacrifice is not in vain, where patriotism is matched with proper care, recognition, and support. I wish him complete healing.”
Awoniyi sustained the injury during the Premier League match between his side, Nottingham Forest, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City on Sunday 11 May, 2025 at City Ground.
The top flight clash which finished 2-2 secured the Tricky Trees’ spot in next season’s Uefa European Competition, while Leicester City are on their way to the English second tier, Championship.
Obi (X/@PeterObi) wrote: “I read with deep concern the unfortunate incident involving our own Taiwo Awoniyi @taiwoawoniyi18, a resilient son of the soil, who, while giving his best on the field for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, suffered a severe injury in the line of duty. It is both painful and telling that, even after colliding with the goalpost and sustaining what has now been revealed as a ruptured intestine, he pressed on, a testament to the Nigerian spirit: strong, unyielding, and ever-committed.
“Let us not take this lightly. We must appreciate and celebrate such young men who continue to lift our flag high, even at great personal risk. I call on the authorities, the football community, and indeed all of us as citizens to keep Taiwo in our thoughts and prayers. As he lies in an induced coma after emergency surgery, let us stand in solidarity with him and his family. May he recover fully and return stronger. And may we build a country where such sacrifice is not in vain, where patriotism is matched with proper care, recognition, and support. I wish him complete healing.
“May God Almighty bless Taiwo Awoniyi. God bless the Super Eagles. God bless Nigeria.”
