The Delta State government has pledged financial and moral support to ailing ex-Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu.

Commissioner for Health, Mordi Ononye, gave the pledge on Sunday in Asaba when he led some government officials to visit Nwosu on his sick bed.

The ex-footballer was placed on admission at the Asaba Specialist Hospital, Asaba, for treatment of a heat-related illness.

He was the poster boy and youngest member of Nigeria’s victorious 1980 African Cup of Nations squad. The midfield maestro scored Nigeria’s only goal at the Moscow 1980 Olympics.

The commissioner, accompanied by Olisa Ifeajika, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s media aide, assured the footballer of the state government’s readiness to do everything humanly possible to assist him.

He said as one of the legendary heroes of Nigeria’s football, his labour for the country would not be forgotten by the Delta government.

“And from the report I have gotten from the Chief Medical Director, you are showing remarkable improvement, and we are very happy about that.

“We want to assure you that we will continue to pray for you and stand with you at this trying time, and I believe that by the grace of God, you will come out of this successfully.

“Just as our national anthem says: `the labour of our heroes past shall not be in vain.’ Some people may have forgotten your contributions to Nigeria, but Delta will never forget,” the commissioner said.

Responding, Kate Kogolo, younger sister to the footballer, said he was receiving adequate treatment and care at the hospital.

(NAN)