Santa Alex Iwobi: Nigeria forward gives back with Christmas shop

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria forward, Alex Iwobi has been spreading festive love in east London by opening up his temporary shop.

The Fulham star has been giving out free food, including turkeys, to residents struggling to pay for their Christmas dinner.

From footballer to mini-mart manager, Iwobi is creating magic this Christmas.

“Hey guys, Alex Iwobi. Welcome to Alexpress, my shop hosted by me in Canning Town (east London) where I was raised from primary school years,” Iwobi told BBC.

“People, families, they are going to come in. They select a drink and stuff for their house. There’s different food that they can take, and then by the end of it finishing touch. There is a turkey.”

His pop-up shop has provided everything free for the local community.

“We like to do something every Christmas to try and give back. Here, we are creating my own,” He continued.

“Alexpress, a little mini-mart to try and give out food to families that are not able to go and get food for their families for Christmas. If I can help them celebrate a great Christmas, why not?

Just seeing how my parents are, I’ve always seen them give back. And with that as role models, it’s just made me feel like, when I get in a position where I am today, or even if I was in less of a position, I would always try to do my best to give back and help out the less fortunate or people that are not able to eat.”

Back home in Nigeria, the distribution of gifts to the less privileged has been met with stampedes, especially in Ibadan, the Southwestern part of the country.

Caring for the needy by Iwobi is one of the ways football stars are giving back to their society, just as national team goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo also extended the same gesture to widows in Bunu, Kogi state.