NFSC Demands Yekini’s Immortalisation …As Ogun Donates N2m

The Chairman, Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Yisau Olatunde, has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to immortalise the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and the late Rashidi Yekini.

Olatunde made the call in Ibadan in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of a novelty match to mark the 40-day Fidau prayer for the late Yekini.

Olatunde, who also urged ex-Super Eagles players to come together to honour Abiola and Yekini, noted that both men had contributed immensely to the growth of football in Nigeria.

The chairman said that great sports administrators like the late Abiola, the Pillar of Sports in Africa, should not be forgotten by CAF for his immense contributions to football and the organisation.

He added that great footballer such as Yekini should not also be forgotten by CAF and the Super Eagles for his superb soccer display that had attracted many youths to football.

According to him, the issue of immortalising Abiola, the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 election, has been greatly politicised.

He said that Abiola deserved a federal sports complex to be named after him in Nigeria, to further buttress his contributions to the growth of football in particular and sports generally.

The chairman added that the Federal Government should also accord similar honour to other late sportsmen such as Sam Okwaraji.

He said Yekini and Okwaraji left a legacy of honouring national calls without gratification, adding that they were gentlemen to the core.

The chairman said that the late Yekini had on several occasions donated to the growth of the Supporters Club.

“He will be missed a lot. We members of the Supporters Club sympathise with his family while we also prayed that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss,” Olatunde said.

According to him, the NFSC will institute scholarship fund for Yekini’s children and will also honour him with a posthumous award during the next GLO CAF awards.

Mr Gboyega Okegbenro, General Manager, Gateway Football Club, at the event donated N2 million to the family of the late Yekini on behalf of the Ogun government.

“Rashidi represents a major loss to us and Nigeria as a whole,’’ Okegbenro said.

The match played at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, ended 1-0 in favour of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan against Gateway FC of Abeokuta.