Saka Proud Of Im Nigerian Roots

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka don talk with plenty pride about im Nigerian heritage, as e credit di cultural values wey im Yoruba parents plant inside am for shaping im character and how im dey live life. Born for London to Nigerian parents, Saka don always embrace im dual identity, and e describe am as central to how im dey see life. For BBC new series, The Football Interview, Saka reflect on how im background influence am, saying di principles wey im parents teach am still dey guide im for pitch and outside football. E talk say im full name, Bukayo Moses Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka, get deep meaning and e dey proud of am. Bukayo mean “adds to happiness,” and e hold am strong. Im mama, Adenike, come from Ijomu-Oro for Kwara State, while im papa, Yomi, come from Ogun State. Saka don even visit im grandparents for Kwara to strengthen dia family bond.

Saka still remember im childhood routines, like breakfast wey im parents dey always keep for am and im brother, even when dem go work. E talk say e was a quick learner for school and score strong GCSE results, about four A-stars and four As, because e dey understand subjects fast. Saka also credit im discipline, humility and professionalism to di traditional Nigerian values wey im parents pass down. E talk say na these values still dey form di centre of who e be today, both as a footballer and as person.