Offa Celebrates Another Sporting Star: Rafiatu Lawal

Every 23 October, football fans in Nigeria and beyond remember one of Africa’s best strikers, Rashidi Yekini.

Yekini passed away in May 2012, but people still remember him well. His famous goal celebration inside the net after scoring Nigeria’s first FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in 1994 is a standout moment in African football history.

For many Nigerians, Yekini is more than just a football star. He symbolizes hard work, humility, and the idea that a young athlete from a small Nigerian town can succeed on the world stage.

That town is Offa in Kwara State.

More than thirty years after Yekini took Offa’s name to the football world, another person from that historic town is making her mark in Nigerian sports.

This time, it is not on the football pitch but on the weightlifting stage.

Born in Offa but mostly linked with Oyo State, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal has become one of Nigeria’s top athletes. She recently defended her Commonwealth Games title in Glasgow, winning another gold medal and proving she is among the country’s most consistent athletes.

Though she represents Oyo State in many competitions, Lawal’s Offa roots always make her community proud. Like Yekini before her, she is another global sports figure connected to Offa in Kwara.

A Champion Who Keeps Raising the Bar

Lawal did more than just defend her Commonwealth title.

She dominated her event, winning gold and setting a new Commonwealth Games record. This shows Nigeria’s growing strength in weightlifting.

Her victory was celebrated all over Nigeria, but the joy was highest in Offa.

The Offa Descendants Union (ODU) praised her achievement as a proud moment for the community. They said she has once again put Offa on the global sports map.

The union called Lawal “a shining example of discipline, determination, resilience, and excellence.” They added that her journey from Offa to the top of world weightlifting should inspire young people to chase their dreams.

They also hope her success will lead to more investment in sports development in Offa so that more young talents can follow her path.

The Making of Another Offa Daughter

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES after her win in Glasgow, Lawal was calm and humble, even as a back-to-back Commonwealth Games champion.

When asked how it felt to keep her title, her answer showed the simplicity that great champions often have.

“I feel good,” she said.

But behind that simple answer are years of hard work.

Lawal shared that her preparations started long before she got to Scotland.

“Let me say I started from home with my training before moving to the National Sports Commission camp and then to the Aberdeen camp,” she told PREMIUM TIMES.

“It was tough training all through, but I would say it turned out well.”

The path to another Commonwealth gold was not easy.

She admitted there were times of doubt during the competition.

“It’s a competition, so no one can decide how it’s going to go. At first, it scared me a little, but later I adjusted.”

That ability to adjust under pressure is what sets champions apart.

Inspired by the Crowd

In the packed arena in Glasgow, Lawal enjoyed loud support from teammates and fans.

She said the atmosphere gave her extra motivation.

“For me, seeing a big crowd like that really motivates me. Let me just say it really motivates me.”

She also appreciated the cheers from her teammates, which lifted her spirits during the competition.

“In sports generally, we need people to motivate us and make the atmosphere lively. In our sport, I love the way people shout because it lifts my spirit and motivates me even more.”

The Celebration Everyone Noticed

One moment that caught everyone’s eye was Lawal’s celebration after her successful lifts.

Many compared it to Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous celebration.

Lawal laughed off the comparison.

“Although I was just practising it myself, I didn’t know someone else was already doing it,” she said.

“It was only yesterday that people asked me during another interview if I was a Ronaldo fan. It makes me even happier that people are comparing me with someone great in another sport.”

Just like Yekini’s unforgettable celebration at the 1994 World Cup, Lawal’s joyful reaction after her winning lifts might become another iconic moment linked to Offa’s sporting legacy.

Eyes on the Olympics

Despite adding another Commonwealth gold to her achievements, Lawal knows there is still more to reach for.

Her biggest dream now is the Olympic Games.

“Like I said then, hard work pays. The more you keep pushing, the more you get closer to your goals. I will keep pushing towards the Olympics.”

Reaching that dream will come with new challenges.

Her current weight category is not part of the Olympic program, so she must move to a different class.

“My category is not an Olympic event, so I have to move to another weight class. I can’t say yet which one because everything is still being worked out, but I know I have to move.”

Nigeria’s Weightlifting Revival

Lawal also feels Nigerian weightlifting has entered a new phase.

Since Birmingham 2022, Nigerian lifters have consistently won medals at major competitions, including the African Championships and now the Commonwealth Games.

She believes increased support from the National Sports Commission has played a big part.

“Let me say it’s the encouragement from the National Sports Commission. They have encouraged all the athletes this time around, and I give them credit for that.”

She added that financial support and the athletes’ passion have come together to produce better results. She also acknowledged the efforts of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation.

“The federation has also been doing its part. They are trying their best.”

Yekini gave Nigeria unforgettable football memories. Now, Lawal is creating unforgettable moments in weightlifting.