Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri
The Chairman of Imo State Sports Commission, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, has blamed the Federal Government under former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida for their failure to immortalise an ex-international footballer, the late Sam Sochukwuma Okwaraji.
He described it as unfortunate that the Federal Government and the state then could afford to overlook immortalising the late footballer, who sacrificed his life for the country
Ndubuoke, a former National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigerian (SWAN) and General Manager, Heartland Fc, Owerri, stated this when he received the family members of the Nigerian football hero when they visited his office in Owerri.
He commended them for the manner they have been going about immortalising their son whom he said did not need any introduction in the country, considering his exploits in football.
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He assured of government assistance to ensure the realization of what the family intends to do, even as he stated that government cannot afford to pay lip service to anything that concerns Okwaraji.
In his speech earlier, an elder brother to the late Okwaraji, Mr. Patrick Okwaraji, expressed their displeasure over the failure of government to immortalise their son who died while playing for the country.
He recalled that the Federal Government under the leadership of then President Babangida made promise on behalf of the Federal Government to immortalize Sam Okwaraji, yet nothing has been done in that regard.
Patrick Okwaraji recalled that his brother was given a state burial when he died adding that 30 years down the line, the Federal Government has abandoned the family and refused to do the needful.
“None of the promises made by the Federal Government when our late brother was given state burial has been fulfilled.”
He said the family through Okwaraji foundation have resolved to take the bull by the horn to immortalise their son, who made both the family and the country proud in the round leather game.
It would be recalled that the late Sam Okwaraji, who hails from Umudioka Orlu, Imo State, died at the age of 24. He had a Masters’ degree in International Law and was at the last part of his studies for a PhD before death struck.
