From Ibadan to England, Belgium, and Canada — the story of a Nigerian winger who made his mark abroad.
An Act of Honesty That Cost Him — and Then Rewarded Him
Folorunso “Foley” Okenla, a former Super Eagles player, was once punished for being honest.
At one point in his early career, he was invited to join the Flying Eagles (Nigeria’s U-20 national team). However, Okenla declined the call-up, truthfully informing the coach that he had already exceeded the age limit for that category. His honesty did not sit well with the coach, who, angered by his refusal, vowed that Okenla would never play for the national team.
Yet, destiny had other plans. Some time later, that same coach travelled abroad for a training course, and in his absence, Okenla received another opportunity. He was invited to the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior national team, where he earned five caps — four officially recognised by FIFA and one non-FIFA match — though he did not score any goals.
This story of integrity and eventual triumph highlights the values that defined Okenla’s football journey — truthfulness, discipline, and perseverance.
Early Life, Background, and Education
Folorunso Okenla was born on 9 October 1967 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
As of 2025, he is 57 years old, turning 58 in October.
Public information about his early family background and formal education is limited. However, his family is partially documented through his children — notably his son, Henry Okenla, who is listed as the son of Folorunso and Rachael Okenla on the official Boston College Athletics roster.
Foley Okenla is a devoted father. His son, Henry Okenla, attended Boston College in the United States, where he played college football and was officially described as “the son of Folorunso and Rachael Okenla.”
Henry has four siblings — Christina, Aila, Lola, and Grace — also listed in the same biographical note. While Okenla’s private life remains largely out of the public eye, this information reflects a family legacy that continues to value sports and education across generations.
Club Career
Okenla’s professional football career took him across three continents, showcasing his versatility and ambition:
1991: Signed for Burnley F.C. (England) but did not make a league appearance.
1991 – 1992: Joined Birmingham City F.C. (England, Third Division), where he made 7 appearances and scored 1 goal.
1992 – 1993: Transferred to K.V. Turnhout in Belgium’s Second Division, appearing 4 times.
1993: Signed for Montreal Impact in Canada’s American Professional Soccer League, making 7 appearances.
His career abroad made him part of the early wave of Nigerian footballers who ventured overseas in search of professional growth long before it became commonplace.
International Career
Representing his country was one of Okenla’s proudest achievements.
He played for the Nigeria national football team, the Super Eagles, earning at least four official FIFA caps and one additional non-FIFA match between 1988 and 1994.
He was also a member of the squad at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished as runners-up, reinforcing his status among the nation’s top players of his era.
Style of Play and Position
Folorunso Okenla primarily operated as a winger, renowned for his speed, creativity, and direct attacking play. Though his overall number of club appearances was modest, his consistent inclusion in Nigeria’s national setup spoke to his quality and professionalism on the pitch.
Following his retirement, Okenla has occasionally appeared in media discussions and football commentary in Nigeria. His honesty, both on and off the field, continues to inspire younger athletes.
His son’s participation in North American college football reflects how his sporting spirit endures through a new generation — a cross-continental legacy that connects Nigeria and the diaspora.
Okenla’s journey from Ibadan to Europe and North America, coupled with his story of integrity and resilience, cements his reputation as one of Nigeria’s understated football ambassadors.
Nollywood actress Cynthia Anijekwu has made an emotional appeal to Nigerians for financial assistance after revealing that she is battling cancer for the second time.
In a video circulating on social media on Tuesday, the actress disclosed that she was first diagnosed with cancer in 2023, when she underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy in a bid to halt the disease.
She maintained that doctors initially managed the condition after the treatment, but the cancer later returned and has since spread to her bones, requiring more intensive care, including radiation therapy and another surgery.
According to Anijekwu, recent medical examinations revealed that the cancer has spread to her bones, significantly increasing the cost and complexity of her treatment up to N600,000 every month.
The actress said doctors have recommended radiation therapy and another surgery as part of her ongoing care.
“I have cancer in 2023 (sic). I did my surgery and took chemotherapy, but later it came back again. I’ve been in and out of the hospital. The doctor recently told me it has reached my bones, and the treatment is now much more expensive,” she said.
“I need to live. I need to survive. I’m asking Nigerians to please help me. Anyone that can help, please, I need help. Even my hands have swollen. The cancer has affected both breasts. I need to live. Please help me. I need to survive.
“Your one naira, your two naira can add up to something reasonable for me to get the proper treatment for this cancer. I’m begging you, please help me,” she pleaded.
Before her health challenge became public, Anijekwu built her career in Nollywood, featuring in several English- and Igbo-language productions.
However, there is no publicly verifiable record identifying a major blockbuster film or comprehensive filmography associated with the actress, as public attention has largely shifted to her battle with cancer in recent years.
The actress said the financial burden has become overwhelming for her family, prompting her to seek help from members of the public.
A masked Nigerian surrogate mother has opened up about how financial hardship and what she described as an irresponsible partner led her to become a surrogate, saying the decision came after the loss of her second child.
The woman disclosed this during a new episode on Cruise TV published on YouTube on Sunday, where she recounted the emotional, financial and psychological realities of carrying children for other families.
She said becoming a surrogate was one of the hardest decisions she had ever made, describing the emotional attachment that develops during pregnancy despite knowing the child does not belong to her.
“Emotionally it’s not easy. Even when I started the journey, when the pregnancy was three months, I called my nurse that I don’t think I can cope again because it’s not easy to carry what is not yours.
“When you start having the emotional attachment, you keep reminding yourself that this is not mine. I tell myself it is a job, and that helps me cope, but the emotions still come and go.”
The woman explained that she became a gestational surrogate through IVF, meaning she had no biological connection to the babies she carried.
Speaking on what pushed her into surrogacy, she said her partner failed to provide for the family despite her efforts to support them.
“I had my first child. Unfortunately, my husband is not the person that is hardworking and he doesn’t take responsibility. I do work. There is no work I cannot do.
“When I became pregnant the second time, I could no longer work. We couldn’t even afford hospital bills.”
She said complications during the pregnancy eventually led to the death of the baby, an experience that changed her outlook.
“That baby died, and that was the reason I made that decision. Instead of giving him another baby, I would rather help people who have the money to take care of me.
“If you don’t have the money to care for my health, I won’t do it for you.”
She disclosed that she initially declined financial compensation beyond medical care, accommodation and allowances, a decision she now regrets.
“I told them I didn’t want any compensation aside from the process, monthly allowance, wardrobe allowance and accommodation fee, but that was a mistake.
“I won’t do it again,” she said.
The surrogate mother also said she would not encourage her daughter to follow the same path because of the emotional and health risks involved.
“I cannot advise my daughter to be a surrogate.”
She added that she relocated during one of her pregnancies to avoid stigma and often told people the baby had died whenever they asked questions.
According to her, surrogate mothers also face psychological challenges after delivery despite undergoing counselling before and after childbirth.
While acknowledging that surrogacy has helped many couples struggling with infertility, she maintained that the process is far more demanding than many people realise.
“Surrogacy is not as simple as people think.”
She called for stronger regulation of the practice to protect surrogate mothers from exploitation and ensure adequate emotional and financial support.
Veteran Nollywood actor, Ricardo Agbor, has opened up about his 18-year journey to parenthood, revealing that he and his wife waited nearly two decades before welcoming their twins.
The actor disclosed this during an interview with AfricanAList published on Sunday, where he reflected on his marriage, faith and the challenges he faced before becoming a father.
Agbor said he remained committed to his wife throughout the period, despite the long wait for children.
“I wanted to get married to a particular lady; I married her regardless of where she is from. She is not from my tribe. So ordinarily, we were supposed to have strife; no, it was very fair,” he said.
Speaking about the couple’s struggle with childlessness, the actor said he specifically prayed for twins and refused to give up despite waiting for 18 years.
“It took 18 years for me to have the twins. And I waited. God knows, 18 years and they are 14 now, so I told God I wanted twins.
“So while that wait was on, if it were someone else, he would cross. But at the end of the day, I have twins. I have a boy and a girl. I asked God what I wanted,” he added.
Agbor also recounted what he described as the most painful experience of his life — the death of his mother.
According to him, she had been receiving treatment for about three weeks without any improvement before doctors advised that she should be flown to South Africa for further medical care.
The actor said his mother requested to be moved to another private hospital in Surulere, but she died in his arms while he was helping her into the car.
“My mom died right in my arms. At the hospital, they were bringing almost 10 doctors to do tests… the sickness was not improving after almost three weeks.
“It was after three weeks that they told me to come and carry my mom and take her to South Africa. I took my mom away and took her to another private hospital within Surulere. It was my mom that told me to take her away from that place. As I was carrying her into the car, she gave up,” he said.
Agbor said the loss left him devastated, noting that it was the first time he had cried outside acting.
“I think that was the first time I cried in my life. I don’t cry. If I cry, maybe it is in a movie and it is a role. So I cried. It was painful,” he added.
