Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has described the sudden death of Michael Ojo, a Nigerian basketball player, as saddening and shocking.

This was contained in a condolence message, signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun Head, Media, Public, Relations and Protocol Unit NiDCOM.

According to the statement, the NiDCOM boss said the news of the sudden death of the promising basketball player in Serbia during training was painful.

She commiserated with Ojo’s family, his club, Red Star, and the country at large on the loss of another rising star in the country.

Regretting that Michael, 27, died in his prime when he was about to launch himself into global arena and using his God-given talent to promote the image of Nigeria abroad.

His former team, Red Star, in a statement mourning the loss of the “cheerful giant said, “The sudden and shocking death of Michael Ojo has deeply affected everyone – players, coaches and the management of a club that accepted him from the first day, and that he considered his own”.

After a stint with the Belgrade team FMP Zeleznik, he moved to European giants Red Star, where he spent two seasons, quickly becoming a fan favourite.

Ojo, a Nigerian basketball player, died on Friday during a training session with Red Star at the age of 27 years.

Born in Lagos, the 2.16 metre (7ft 1in) centre played for Florida State University in the United States before coming to Europe to start his professional career.

Dabiri-Erewa prayed unto God to give his family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss and for God to accept his soul to rest in perfect peace.