Nnamdi Asomugha: More Than a Football Player for He Is a Man Who Cares

Some say that a man is known by the company he keeps. Nnamdi Asomugha has been known to be in the company of great men in America and in Nigeria. He seems to be using those contacts to help students and others. He is seen as a man who cares for people.

So much bad press is given to stars and professional athletes that it just makes sense to focus on those who care about students and people in general.

Asomugha has a first name which is the same as one of the names of the airport in Abuja, Nigeria. How do I know? I have been in that airport a total of six times.

Although Asomugha was not with a group of NFL Nigerian Ambassadors on March 10, 2008, who arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in company of many armed policeman playing host to four active players of the NFL, he believes in a similar mission.

He upholds the mission and values of an ambassador, as he has founded an organization to help others, and he has a reputation for helping many young people in Nigeria.

Those armed policemen at the gate stood out in my mind when a small entourage including Professor Joseph Mokuolo, a celebrated Nigerian chemist, escorted two pastors and me to the Handover Service from Military Government to Democracy on May 29, 1999.

Since Nigeria has become a nascent democracy, the opportunity to come to America and transform from a soccer team to a professional NFL team is more likely.

Let us salute the NFL players, including Asomugha and Isaiah Afamefuna Ekejiuba, a 29-year-old linebacker, who both have the capability of making impact in some villages in Nigeria.

For example, since Asomugha has a degree in Corporate Finance, in honor of him, let's engage in a short discussion of money.

In 1999, four Americans left $250 each in a bank in Lagos, Nigeria. Our hope was that the economic situation and living conditions in parts of Nigeria would improve.

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