Nigeria’s First Commonwealth Games Medalist Dies

Nigeria’s first Commonwealth Games medallist Alhaji Karim Ayinla Babalola (KAB) Olowu (OON) has died aged 95.

Pa Olowu took part in the 1950 Commonwealth Games, which were then known as the British Empire Games, where he represented the country in the disciplines of sprinting and long jumping.

He went on to represent Nigeria in the 1952 Olympic Games and the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Canada, where he won two silver medals for the long jump and the 4x110 yard relay.

In 1966 he was the first Nigeria to officiate at the Commonwealth Games and in 1992 he was the first Nigeria Olympic torch-bearer in Barcelona. 

Having passed on the evening of Wednesday August 14, Pa Olowu was buried according to Muslim rites on Thursday August 15.