INTERVIEW: As the five pioneer sets (1982 -1986) of Command Secondary School, Jos Plateau State continue the inexorable count down to their 50th anniversary reunion coming up next month (September), www.themandatenews.com.ng commemces serialization of interviews featuring volunteer some of the most exciting members of the sets. Today our guest is Asuquo Martins Odiong, 'Sabata', as he was then nicknamed, a gifted all round athlete who was the school soccer team goal keeper as well as an attacking forward and leading goal scorers. Asuquo was equally proficient at track events, particularly 100, 200 meters and relays. He was also phenomenal at table tennis at which he is an international coach today. In this interview with Samuel Adzegeh, publisher/editor in chief, Asuquo reminisces about how CSSJ impacted on his life and what to expect at the reunion. Excerpts: Ques: It's good to link up again after about 50 years. Where are you resident now and what do you do for a living Sir? Ans: I coach table tennis for a living. Ques: Can you remember what happened to you immediately after leaving Command in 1983? Ans: I was shipped by rail to Ibadan same day I wrote my last paper in Command because my dad did not want me to work. P&T gave me temporary employment in their athletics department on a salary of N150 a month. You see, my dad was bent on me going to NDA and had registered me for the common entrance with Ibadan as my center. I did not write any exams except NDA. A regular university was a strange word to my dad. But somehow the NDA thing didn't work out.. Ques: You were an all-round athlete back in Command; how did that impact on your adult life? Ans: Having been a star athlete in Command, transitioning was pretty easy because I started playing for Plateau State from my Form 3. Even in elementary school I never played junior or 'mosquito' team because my play was too advanced for my age mates. My skill level was advanced enough to play senior even as an under 10. Ques: What do you consider as the turning point of your life? Ans: Meeting Cynthia Arielu Mukoro changed my life completely. I became aware of the opposite sex and how powerful their influence can be. You see, I have eight sisters and I did not take them for granted. Then I met Arielu. She came into my life when I never expected it and that she would have such influence on me? That tells you the kind of person she is. Her sister and I and Kennachor as well as late Comfort Okpanachi all shared the same birthday May 9… Ques: Do you remember having a lasting impact on any of your Command class or school mates? Ans: I'm not sure if I left any lasting impressions on anyone; maybe Sam Pam or Yinka Goodluck, Uche Nwatulegwu and so on... They used to adore me as an athlete. Ques: Is there any particular episode back in Command that you can describe as your moment of truth? Ans: Yes, coaching or teaching Elaigwu Alade (aka 'Teacher') to run the 200 meters. This kid became the fastest kid I ever knew to run the 200 meters while Cyril Eboh, (Agbomero) is the fastest 100 meters kid I've ever known. Don’t forget I was also a sprinter. Working with Alade opened my eyes to the fact that I am a born coach. Didn’t realize it then but now I know... and that’s how I became a coach. Ques: How and when did you end up in the US? Ans: I relocated to the US in May 1999. I was a flight attendant with Nigeria Airways for 6 years. In 1998 on vacation to the US, my friend in New York asked to play the lottery visa for me but I refused, not believing in it. But he insisted, and at last I obliged and my wife won. We've been living here since then but glad to have relocated to Nigeria. I am grateful to God I have re- 'japaad' to Naija. Ques: Who is your most remembered sports personality in Command and did you ever interact physically or on the phone since leaving Command? Ans: I admired Kayode Edward (BOSS) a lot. He saw me - a short Calabar man - excel in volleyball, a tall people's sport, and got motivated; he ended up playing volleyball for Command, Kano and Plateau States and for Nigeria. He later became Chairman of Kogi State Volleyball Association and should have become national chairman but for Naija politics. Mary Tombiri is another person I greatly admire. This small girl rose all the way to the top to become an Olympic champion; same as Sam Pam and Samuel Ojie, a very simple and quiet guy. I interact much with Mary, Kayode and Sam Pam but not, oops! (another Sam) Ojie. Ques: Do you hope to be at the reunion in September? Ans: I will by His Grace be in Jos for the reunion. ATTENTION! Anyone interested in featuring in this interview series should pls contact 0706 665 145 (whatsapp), 09122268971 (calls, text) and a short questionnaire shall be forwarded to him/her. It is absolutely free. Let's add to the fun

Posted: 1week ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 14 August 2026