Blessing Okagbere is still a Nigerian

During the last Olympics, Blessing Okagbere was prevented from

completing her event on account of doping violation.

Today, she has been banned for ten years.

Her doping and ban are no News. What I am bothered about is the accusation of non cooperation with anti doping officials.

This is where I feel she needs help. Many a top athlete has been banned for a similar offence as hers but to my mind refusal to cooperate with anti doping officials not only increases the punishment but may also attract other far reaching consequences.

Those in authority and are versed in such matters especially Nigerian Track officials, who celebrated her laurels, should as a matter of urgency come to her aid, for she is still a Nigerian.

She stands little or no chance of ever competing again but there are many roles in the athletics value chain where she can be useful to both herself and society.

Bearing that in mind there is a crying need to ensure she ends up with a more decent closure than the present odious state of non cooperation with anti doping officials.