By Chigozie Chukwuleta
Former Jersey Football Association president Ricky Weir is back in Nigeria this month on a triple mission: promoting his award-winning memoir _‘Illegitimately Blessed’_, boosting grassroots football development, and expanding Walking Football across the country.
The book chronicles his journey from being born in Glasgow to a Scottish mother and Nigerian father he never met, to adoption in Scotland, and a 20-year search that reconnected him to his Nigerian roots.
Since self-publishing in September 2024, the memoir was picked up by European publisher Europe Book and won a literary award in Italy. “My goal was simply to complete it and hopefully inspire one person. Everything after that has been a bonus.”Weir said in Lagos.
He was also honoured with the ‘Award of Excellence and Special Recognition as African Football Ambassador’ by Africa Illustrious Awards.
On the pitch, Weir attended the opening of Olumide Aturu’s 5Stars Premier League in Abuja and officiated Walking Football games at Eagle Club Pitch in Surulere, Lagos.
The founder of Jersey 2 Africa 4 Football Foundation introduced Walking Football to Nigeria in 2020 and says the growth has been gratifying, with new leagues and women’s teams now in place.
“It was gratifying to see how far it has come,” he said. “There are now league programmes and women’s teams, which is fantastic,” he said
Now holding a Nigerian passport, Weir plans to shift more of his philanthropic football work to Nigeria after 14 years focused on Kenya. “I don’t have to think about visas anymore. It allows me to embrace the country more,” he said.
