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 hardwork, dedication, diligence and forthrightness.
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