Okpomo, Enemuo's Ideals Mustn't Die Too - Minister
From Juliana Taiwo in Abuja
The Minister of Sports and Social Development, Col Musa Mohammed (rtd) has charged sports administrators to ensure the ideals of both former Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Secretary General and Confederation of African Football (CAF) official Patrick Okpomo and NFA Head of Marketing, Edozie Enemuo do not die along with them.
In a release signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr.
Charles Chikezie, the Minister described the deaths as great lose not only to their families, but to Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
He said Okpomo 'was very hardworking and committed to the cause of sports development' who has exhibited in knowledge and affirmative in the discharge of his duties both in NFA and CAF.
"It was the confidence that I had in his knowledge and capabilities that prompted my naming him as a resource person for the NFA structure reform committee because I know they could draw from his wealth of experience," he said.
He said the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Solomon Mantakari would lead a team that would pay condolence visits to both families in Lagos.
For Enemuo, the Minister said the nation has lost a bright young man full of ideas who was ready to serve a nation in a great capacity. He cited the example during the launch of the Super Eagles logo. "He displayed a lot of brillance and bright ideas that would have been so beneficial to the nation. Sports administrators and organisers must not allow the ideals that the two gentlemen stood for to die," he said.
Enemuo died in an auto crash on his way to the CAF Champions' League match between Enyimba and Bakili Bullets of Malawi two Sundays ago, while Okpomo died Sunday following complications from an operation.
Meanwhile, Lagos SWAN through its Secretary General, Joe Apu joined in the condolence messages for the Okpomo family saying, "he is well loved by all. He could not hurt a fly. We remember him for the role he played in the upliftment of Nigerian football."
Julius Berger FC through George Ude, the Press Officer said in a statement: "he would be remembered for his vision, reforms and innovations in the NFA, one of Africa's biggest football federations."
Dave Enechukwu Foundation in which Okpomo was a founding member through its Executive Director, Mrs. Meg Aipoh urged the family and the nation to take heart and seek the grace of God to get courage to be consoled.
Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described his death as a great shock and a big loss not only to football administration in Nigeria but Africa as a whole.
Tinubu praised his brilliance and competence which informed why he was a three-time NFA Secretary General praying God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.
|
