Former Super Eagles Coach Bags 1st Degree with 4.32 CGPA at 70

By: Gyang Dakwo

Former Super Eagles Coach Ben Duamlong made history recently when he became the oldest graduate from the University of Jos during its just concluded 33rd & 34th Combined Convocation.

More important is the fact that he did it in grand style, graduating at the top of his class with a CGPA of 4.32.

Ben-Lutnaan Duamlong, born 70 years ago, went back to school in 2017 after retiring from coaching at the age of 65 to upgrade his knowledge of his first love, which is painting.

Football Professor as he’s fondly called due to his vast knowledge and professionalism in the game, gained admission into the Department of Fine And Applied Arts, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts in 2021.

He said: “I love football, but I still have passion and talent for painting and instead of sitting at home waiting and begging to be fed or sustain and maintain the good life football has given me, which will never come, because of the society we’ve found ourselves. I had to go back to school and put my God given gift to action and hence, fend for myself. I will enjoin coaches and players to go to school and get themselves armed with another means of livelihood because they can’t be in football forever, they should look for a means of livelihood after retirement.”

Ben Duamlong who has coached several club sides in Nigeria as well as the National Under-23 team and was one of Coach Festus Onigbinde’s assistants to Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup, has held exhibitions of his various artworks.