The first son of late Nigeria captain and coach Stephen
Keshi has expressed bewilderment that certain persons have been putting a date
forward for his father’s burial rites without the knowledge and consent of his
children, Thisday reports.
Stephen Keshi Jnr, 27, arrived at the NFF Secretariat
Wednesday morning and met with the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
He was in company with US-based chemist and friend of late
Keshi, Victor Ugoh and former Super Eagles’ star Victor Obinna Nsofor.
“I just came into Nigeria on Tuesday night, and we read in
the papers today that somebody has fixed a date for the burial. I am shocked
like my sisters and my brothers. Since our father died, nobody has spoken to us
about how he died, and we have not even seen his corpse. Yet, someone is fixing
a date for his burial!”
Keshi’s daughter, Ifeyinwa and husband, who are based in
North Carolina, USA also flew into Nigeria on Tuesday.
Keshi Jnr, an events producer in Atlanta, expressed
appreciation to the Federal Government, the National Assembly, the Federal
Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Nigeria Football Federation, the governments
of Edo and Delta states, ex-internationals and countless corporate bodies and
individuals for all the kind words showered on his father since he passed on.
“I cannot thank everyone enough. We have only heard good
and great words about our father since his death. I am going to Benin City now.
The family will sit down and come up with a date for the funeral, but we also
appreciate that he was a national figure and will harmonize our plans with that
of the Government and the NFF.
“Our father was a loving family man and we will miss him
greatly. Our joy is that he left a worthy legacy for Nigeria football and for
his family.”
Meanwhile, The Gambia Football Federation, in a letter
signed by its President Lamine Kaba Bajo, wrote on the death of Amodu: “This
sad incident which came a few days after the passing away of another Nigerian
and African football icon and legend, Stephen Keshi has no doubt increased the
sorrow and sadness not only in the NFF and Nigeria but African football family
as a whole.”
Also yesterday, the executive council of the Sports
Writers Association of Nigeria, FCT chapter, paid a condolence visit to the NFF
on the deaths of Keshi and Amodu.
Led by its Chairman, Mr. Kayode Adeniyi, the body
expressed deep grief over the passing of the highly successful coaches, saying
this period calls for sober reflection.
In his response, NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi,
reflected that Nigeria has lost two great men whose watchwords were hardiwork,
dedication, diligence and forthrightness.
No comments:
Post a Comment