31/08/2024
Nigerian athletes Floretta Iyo, Victor Odofin (Victor Oluwole Odofin-Belo, 1933-2020), and Esther Ogbeni are captured walking arm in arm on a street after their arrival in Britain to compete in the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. The date was June 10th, 1958.
Floretta Iyo hailed from Okrika and was notably the first overseas-trained athletics coach in Nigeria.
Victor Oluwole Odofin-Belo was born on July 25th, 1933, in Ifon, Ondo State, Nigeria, into the respected Odofin family of Idoani. Victor Odofin was an accomplished athlete who entered international competitions for Nigeria, bringing fame and recognition to his country. He represented Nigeria in the 1956 World Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, and achieved significant success at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales, where he won two silver medals in track and field events. Beyond athletics, Victor was also part of the national football squad known as the "Nigerian Red Devils," now called the "Super Eagles."
Victor Odofin transitioned from UAC to Esso Nigeria Limited at the end of 1958. A well-known Lagos socialite, he was an active member of several prestigious clubs, including the Yoruba Tennis Club, Island Club, Center Club, Ikoyi Club, and Waka Club. He held various executive roles, such as past Chairman of Center Club and past Social Secretary of Island Club, and was a committed member of the Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA), serving as their Social Secretary.
Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey paid tribute to Victor Odofin in his album with the lyrics, "Mosofun e o, otami dehin lehinmi in the mid 1970's. Victor Odofin Bello mi olola. Oko Abiola baba Remilekun mi o ire, baba Oluwatoyin baba Olawale, baba Abayomi o, Victor Bello o."
Photo Credit: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Credit: © ASIRI Magazine