Uche Okafor buried with pomp and honour

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Sunday, February 20th, 2011

The choice detail of the Nigerian sports community descended on Imo State on Thursday to pay their final respects and be part of the final passage rites of former international player, Uchenna Okafor.

Represented at the occasion was the Executive Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, the National Sports Commission, a high-powered delegation from the Nigeria Football Federation, members of the Super Eagles team of 1994 (Okafor’s team-mates), the Imo State All-Stars football team, members of the Imo State Ministry of Youth and Sports, executives of the Imo State Football Association, family and friends of the fallen star.

Conspicuous among the crowd and in deep grief were Okafor’s widow, Ifeyinwa and their 15-year old daughter, Tochukwu.

A lying-in-state ceremony began the day at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, followed by a commemorative football match between Members of the 1994 Super Eagles and the Imo State All Stars, which ended 1-1.

There was a short remark by the Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Anyikwa who represented Governor Ohakim, and the paying of final respects by the different groups ended the session at Dan Anyiam Stadium.

Among the team mates of Okafor who turned up were Benedict Iroha, Samson Siasia, Augustine Eguavoen, Emeka Ezeugo, Victor Ikpeba, Austin Okocha, Dominic Iorfa, Ike Shorounmu, Austin Popo, Alloy Agu, Uche Okechukwu, Bethel Orji, Edema Fuludu, Peter Rufai, Baldwin Bazuaye, Mutiu Adepoju and Binebi Numa. The Imo All-Stars included Kelechi Emeteole, Sylvester Oparanozie, Godwin Eke, Godwin Agbarakwe (Director of Sports), Ndubuisi Opara and Collins Amadi. Fuludu scored for the Eagles in the first half while Collins Amadi equalized for the Imo All-Stars in the second period.

There were also Prince Lemmy Akakem, Mr. Uche Ejimofor, Mr. Chris Eseka, former international athlete and President of Nigerian Olympians Association Henry Amike, former national team captain and coach, Christian Chukwu and several other guests at the programme coordinated by former Enugu Vasco Da Gama ace, Mr. Onochie Anibeze, now associate editor at Vanguard Newspapers.

The procession then ended up at the Okafor family house in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, which is about 20 minutes’ drive from Owerri. There, another lying-in-state preceded a church service, before the body of the fallen hero was committed to mother earth.

NFF’s 1st Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh led a delegation that included the Deputy General Secretary (Technical), Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, Assistant General Secretary (Marketing), Mr. Adama Idris, chief media officer Ademola Olajire, principal legal officer Okey Obi and senior sports office Christian Emeruwa. Mr. Stanley Okebugwu represented the Honourable Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Professor Taoheed Adedoja.

At the end, Umeh said: “We feel sorrow because we have lost a true patriot and hero of the Nigerian game, someone who was a role model for the younger generation in commitment, discipline and effort. But we are consoled by the fact that he left his huge footprints in the sands of time. We pray that the Almighty God will grant those he has left behind the fortitude to bear the loss and also give him eternal rest.”

-Kickoffwp_posts