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By Emma Jemegah
His real name may not ring a bell, but once you mention his nickname, Bonfrere, hardly would you meet anybody who is anybody as far as the national teams of Nigeria is concerned who does not know him.
Abayomi Ogunjimi, popularly known by most people as Bonfrere, is the young man who has decided to do thing differently and change how the supporters’ club operation is done in Nigeria.
When next any Nigerian national team is playing, especially the senior national football team, the Super Eagles, whenever the camera pans to show the Nigerian supporters club cheering the team on, watch out for a fair, agile young man, directing the affairs of the supporters club from the stand. That man is Bonfrere.
According to those who know the restless, hardworking and highly cerebral young man, he has been an integral part of the Nigerian football supporters club for more than 20 years. He is said to have been going around the continents of the world with the supporters’ club from a very young age, gathering a lot of experience as regards management, logistics and travel schedules.
Today, Bonfrere has floated his own faction of the football supporters’ club named Authentic Nigeria Football Supporters Club and already has the endorsement of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). To underscore how well-organised the club is, they are already putting finishing touches to an imposing edifice they have secured in Surulere, Lagos which is to serve as the secretariat for the club.
Also, some of Nigeria’s biggest football supporters, both individuals and corporate organizations have endorsed the Authentic Nigeria Football Supporters Club, like Kunle Soname of Bet9ja, Abiodun Osinibosi of Abelini, former Super Eagles star, Victor Moses, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Dr Amos Adamu, Peter PSquare, DJ Cuppy, amongst many others.
The club’s presence was hugely felt at the last African Cup of Nations, AFCON where the Super Eagles came second, after a defeat to Cote d’Ivoire in the final match.
Abayomi Ogunjimi, aka Bonfrere and other supporters were in the stands throughout the competition, with their very colourful uniform, cheering the Super Eagles on with their drums, horns and other musical instruments.
In this interview, he speaks on a number of issues, including how he became such a passionate Super Eagles enthusiast and number 1 supporter.
Did you at anytime play football? And if yes, how far did you go and what happened?
Yes I played at school level and I enjoyed my time while at it. But I struggled as a man and had to leave to face life fully.
You’re a known figure in the Nigerian football fraternity. How did you become a full-fledged supporter of the national teams? Where and when did it start?
I started at the grassroots. I’m a passion driven individual when it comes to football. I started by playing on the streets of Lagos and watching local and international football helped in making me.
Can you tell us the motivation to become a full time supporter?
Becoming a full-time supporter of ANFASSC basically was when some people belittled and undermined me as a young man. This challenged and gave me the full motivation.
Can you reveal your experience as a supporter of the national team?
Supporters club is very time-consuming and the financial implications of being in supporters club are huge. Most cases you are the first target to the opponent. It can be sweet but when your team is losing it can be a bad experience. Sports is sweet, it unites us and it is what every individual should identify with.
At a point, you were a mascot for the national team. What informed that path?
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To be creative, diversify, bringing new innovations is something I started jokingly and people took interest in it. Currently I have buildtup legacies for people and they are making ends meet from it now
You split with the Nigeria Football Supporters Club to form your independent body, Authentic Nigeria Football and Other Sports Supporters Club. What informed this decision?
There must be a room for growth; people need to grow in different perspectives. At that time rooms and much opportunities were not given and we needed to change the narrative.
In terms of funding, how do you source money to promote your brand?
It is quite alarming, never been an easy path because it is self-funding and it hasn’t been so easy on me. People are yet to understand that sports is a religion. Most sponsors are yet to be forthcoming to support supporters club and we need sponsors from all over the world.
What is the difference between your group and others? We’ve about five different groups, all pursuing same goal. Why is yours different?
We have taken the supporters club away from analogue to digital. Supporters club is now notable; we have made it a supporters club that is now accessible and not what it used to be. We have also used supporters club to touch lives of the less privileged and special people in sports not just sports alone. And at the same time ANFASSC is not limited to football alone. We support all sports.
Can you state what your group has done or achieved different from other groups?
We have done and achieved a lot which cannot be mentioned but I will love anyone that is interested in our achievements to go to our website and Google is all over there.
What are your ambitions as the president of Authentic Supporters Club? What do you hope to achieve?
To change the narratives of Nigerians to start supporting our local teams passionately and have a member of supporters club in each home.
You spend your time and money, and at times, energy travelling to support the national teams. What are the economic benefits for you as a person?
It’s all about passion driven, it is just something we have been doing for decades now.
What are the obstacles you have faced in the course of supporting the national teams?
I sold my lands, we have been beaten outside the country, thrown heavy stones, travelled on deserts and our car broke down along the way.
As a family man, how are your people coping with your regular trips with the national teams, especially since you are not being paid following your passion?
My family is now part of what I have passion for and have been doing for three decades and more. And they have been very supportive.
As someone close to the players, who among them, past and present, do you consider most lively? Who among them you know represented the country with passion?
All of them are passionate. I have been close to them. I believe that both ex and present international players have done so well and deserve some accolades and encouragement from us.
