Tony Ogola, an ex-manager of the Bayelsa State-owned football club, Ocean Boys, is currently battling for his life.
The tactician who was also an ex-council boss of Sagbama local council area is said to be in dire need of a kidney transplant according to a Facebook post by Ohis Asein.
His post reads “Tony Ogola is a household name in Sports in Bayelsa State and Nigeria. He remains one of the first and finest football administrators to have brought laurels to Bayelsa State, when he managed Ocean Boys Football Club to win the Nigeria Premier League and the FA trophies between 2006-2009."/
“He later became Chairman of Bayelsa United and recently, HENSARD FC. Ogola was also a one-time Vice Chairman and Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area, a position he used to accelerate development and positively touched many lives."
“As a Sports journalist, I worked closely with him for over a decade. He touched many lives positively, especially Bayelsans, many of who today have risen to bigger positions in their chosen careers. I don't want to mention names, but rather, I want to bring to attention of the sporting community in Bayelsa and beyond, to the present unfortunate condition of Anthony Ogola. He passionately needs your help to stay alive."
“I'm making this appeal to patriotic Ijaw sons and daughters from Sagbama and other Ijaw communities to come to the aid of this vibrant young man."
“In the last few months, Anthony Ogola has been in and out of hospital, struggling with a kidney disease that needs "very urgent attention".
“I have not being in Bayelsa for months now, but I call regularly to check on a friend who has played a major role in my life today. I am told that he needs kidney transplant urgently, in order for him to survive his ailment.”
Until his ailment, Ogola manages HENSARD FC, own by the former Governor and the current Senator representing Bayelsa West senatorial district, Seriake Dickson.