Julius OkorieDirector-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has joined the league of mourners, following the passing of famous Congolese-American Basketball player, Dikembe Mutombo.
Mutombo, nicknamed “Mount Mutombo” for his defensive prowess, played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and was regarded as one of the greatest shot-blockers and defensive players of all time. Outside of basketball, he made waves for his humanitarian work. Mutombo died at the age of 58, the league announced on Monday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe eight-time NBA all-star and Hall of Famer, passed away surrounded by his family after a battle with brain cancer, the league added.
His family revealed two years ago that he was undergoing treatment in Atlanta for a brain tumour.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.”
Reacting to the passing of the Basketball super star and philantropist, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said “So sad to learn of the passing away of Dikembe Mutombo. Yes, famous Basketball Star but for us Africans more important as a consumate humanitarian who tried to give back to his community” adding, may his soul rest in perfect peace.
READ ALSO :Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Sues For Unity After Tinubu’s Supporters Criticisms
The former Managing Director Operations of the World bank and former Nigerian Finance Minster added a photograph where she was standing with the man-mountain Mutombo with the caption “A photo with Dikembe on the sidelines of #UNGA2021”
Mutombo last played during the 2008-09 season, devoting his time after retirement to charitable and humanitarian causes. He spoke nine languages and founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, concentrating on improving health, education and quality of life for the people in the Congo.
And on occasion, LeBron James pointed out with a laugh on Monday, Mutombo didn’t necessarily improve the health of others.
“My fondest memory of Dikembe Mutombo? He fractured my face on my birthday in Cleveland with an elbow,” James, the Los Angeles Lakers’ star, said while taking several minutes Monday to pay tribute to Mutombo’s life. “I never even got an opportunity to tell him about that. But yeah. I don’t remember how old … I was in Cleveland, my first stint, and I think I was turning 22 maybe?
“I went to the hole and caught one of those Dikembe elbows, and if anybody know about the Dikembe elbows, they do not feel good. He fractured my face, and I went to the hospital that night, and I wore a mask for a little bit. That is my memory of Dikembe,” James said.
Ryan Mutombo, the Hall of Famer’s son, said in a tribute posted on social media that his father “loved others with every ounce of his being.”
“My dad is my hero because he simply cared,” Ryan Mutombo wrote. “He remains the purest heart I have ever known.”
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
