SAN FRANCISCO, August 05, (THEWILL) – The remains of the late football maestro and national hero, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi were finally laid to rest in his hometown, Illah, Delta State two weeks ago. It was a period of mourning for family members, friends and professional colleagues who cherished his value.
The late Keshi was a man who sacrificed his all for the nation. Without sounding economical with words, the story of Nigeria’s football cannot be complete if his contributions are omitted. For a man who braved all odds to write the country’s name in gold, nothing short of a national burial would have been enough for him.
Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a national mourning was limited to a peripheral family affair, with Delta State playing the supporting role.
It is unbelievable and puzzling that there were no representatives of the federal government representative or the Nigeria Football Federation at the funeral.
It is inconceivable and tragic that a national hero like Keshi would be rewarded with crass ingratitude by the federal government and the football union despite his years of sacrifices to his homeland. What a tragic way of rewarding sacrifice and commitment!
This level of perplexity is further reinforced by the fact that the NFF had hinted that he would be immortalized. We recall that the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung assured that the Federal Government would adequately preserve the great memories of the late former captain and manager of the Super Eagles, who won the African championship both as a player and coach.
The minister had described Keshi as a dedicated and outstanding hero, saying: “He was one of Nigeria’s heroes whose contributions to the development of football and Nigeria’s sports in general cannot be quantified.”
He reiterated, “government will seek ways to immortalize him.”
But regrettably, when the chips were down, the Federal Government for which he showed so much patriotism, did not only fail to fulfill its promise, it neither sent an official representative, nor was even his primary constituency, the NFF represented. Yet, this was the body that he worked directly with, showing commitment even in the face of paucity of funds to prosecute national assignments.
THEWILL is saddened that the fallen star’s burial was abandoned for his home state to manage.
THEWILL commends the Delta State government for not abandoning its own at that critical moment. That it sent a powerful delegation goes to show how much respect it had for the fallen hero.
We also salute former internationals who played with Keshi, like Peter Rufai, Augustine Eguavoen, Alloy Agu, Mutiu Adepoju, Ben Iroha, Edema Fuludu, Henry Nwosu, Victor Ikpeba, Kanu Nwankwo, Taribo West, among a few others that attended the burial in his hometown Illah.
But, it is sad that only this handful of former internationals considered it necessary to attend the burial. The man, who was fondly called “the boss” and who championed the course of his colleagues during their active years, could have been better honoured.
Though NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick attended the lying-in-state, he however claimed to be sick on the day of the burial proper.
It is disheartening to underscore that that the Federal Government has by its nonchalance towards Keshi’s funeral implied that Nigeria is not worth dying for.
Public officers have also shown that they only flock to where there is personal gain, either financially or materially. If Keshi’s burial were the type that could enhance the personal gains of attention-seeking ventures in government, private jets would have competed for space at close airports to attend the burial.
That there was inaction even from the National Assembly by way of a special commendation session is insensitive and unfair. The nation has witnessed the concern of NASS members on issues that are of less national importance.
We urge the Federal Government to apologize to football-loving Nigerians and indeed all patriotic citizens over the bad coin with which Keshi’s patriotism was rewarded.
THEWILL restates that the Federal Government names, the National Stadium, Abuja, or the NFF building after the deceased soccer hero.
