It was a deluge of tears yesterday as the remains of the ex-coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, was laid to rest in his ancestral home town, Illah, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State.
His remains were committed to mother earth at exactly 2 pm. The late Keshi, whose remains were borne in a black coloured motorised hearse, arrived the agrarian community at exactly 9.35 am as scores of people lined the major streets to bid him farewell.
Upon hearing the sorrowful dirge by undertakers as the procession made its way to the Ukpologwu quarters –the country home of late Stephen Keshi–women wailed and men gnashed their teeth as they tried to keep tears away.
Some men who could no longer bottle their emotions burst into tears as the cream and gold coloured casket laid and mourners filed past.
Despite the carnival-like atmosphere, many mourners wore long faces as they stood in groups of twos and threes discussing the sad reality of the death of Nigeria’s football icon.
The procession made a brief stopover at the country home of the late Nigerian coach, continuing its onward journey to the church for the requiem mass at the St John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
A group of youths clad in yellow jerseys with inscription Ukpologwu Football Club lined the streets in honour of their deceased patron.
In his homily, Rev Fr. Dennis Awele Arinze admonished Nigerians elites to serve selflessly, adding that despite the abundant natural resources, Nigerians are facing hardship.
He described Keshi as an epitome of excellence while urging Nigerian elites to emulate his great patriotism, saying, “as we mourn the death of Stephen Keshi, we must ask God to help us emulate his good works.”
He lamenetd that majority of Nigerians are hungry while the elites live a life of debauchery.
He admonished the followership not to constantly criticise our leaders but “instead of blaming darkness, light a candle, and you will have succeeded in dispelling darkness.”
He further advised that when things are bad, Nigerians should learn not to make it worse.
Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who was represented by his deputy, described Stephen Keshi as a trail blazer, adding that he had a close relationship with Stephen Keshi’s generation.
He expressed appreciation to that generation of footballers who served their fatherland.
His words: “I had a close relationship with Keshi’s generation in the 1980’s in Benin-City as a young man.
“We appreciate your service to our fatherland.
“Keshi was a trailblazer. He brought excellence to football in Nigeria.
“He has lived a life, a life well lived.”
Okowa disclosed that Delta State was working out plans to immortalise ‘our dear skippo’.
The Super Eagles set of 1994 were present in their numbers, including Austin Eguavoen, Mutiu Adepoju, Henry Nwosu, Alloy Agu, Uche Okechukwu, Peter Rufai, Taribo West, Edema Fuludu, Victor Ikpeba, Kanu Nwankwo, Emeka Ezeogu.
Others present include Friday Ekpo, Humphery Jebba and a host of others.
Ex-International Austin Eguavoen, in his remarks at the reqiuem mass in an emotion laden voice reminisced the experiences they shared with the late Keshi during their playing days.
He described Keshi as a tenacious fighter who would fight for the welfare of others at his own expense, adding that Keshi was a charismatic leader.
He said: “Our hearts are heavy and sorrowful, but we will not question the ways of Almighty God because His ways are inscrutable.
“Keshi is a tenacoius fighter who when he holds on to a belief will have to be given a good reason to abandon his cause.”
The set of 1994 joined him on the altar to sing Keshi’s favourite songs on their way to match venues during their playing days.
The Sultan of Sokoto, in a message to the Keshi family, conveyed his condolences, describing Keshi death ‘as a monumental loss’
His words: “We hereby join numerous sympathisers within and outside the country to mourn the demise of this patriotic and astute sports administrator.
“His passing away is indeed a great loss not only to you and the people of Delta State, but to the entire nation and humanity in general.’
Ex-Technical Director Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and ex-coach of the Golden Eaglets, Fanny Amun, described Keshi as a success story.
He said Keshi was an individual that fought for reckoning but was never recognised, adding that it is left to the authorities how best to immortalise Keshi.
According to him, he is bereaved three times over, following the death of Amodu Shuaibu, Kate Keshi and Stephen Keshi.
His words: “I am more bereaved than his immediate family. I have lost Amodu, Mrs Keshi who is my sister and now my brother, the great irreplaceable Stephen Keshi.”
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Truly a trail blazer .Keshi set the pace and opened way for many Nigerian footballers to play in Europe while he was in Beligium.Winning AFCON as a player and a coach is a feat I doubt another Nigerian can do in the nearest future.Adieu skkipo.