Ekweremadu, Ubah, Okpala canvass immortalisation of Keshi

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, oil magnate and President of Nnewi, Anambra State-based FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Ifeanyi Ubah and former senior national team goalkeeper, Sylvanus Okpala, have called for the immortalisation of late Stephen Keshi as a way of preserving his legacies.

In a by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, the Deputy Senate President said Keshi represented the best generation of the Super Eagles so far, describing the ex-international’s death as a big blow to Nigerian football.

He noted that the late gaffer made Nigeria proud, not only as a successful captain and coach of the senior national team, but as one of the first crop of Nigerian players to export the nation’s football prowess to the world as a professional player.

“His death is, therefore, a big blow to us as a nation. Keshi deserves our prayers for the peaceful repose of his patriotic soul; and he indeed deserves immortalisation by a country he served so fervently, patriotically, and unreservedly, ” Ekweremadu added.

He called on stakeholders to use this period of mourning to reflect soberly on the nation’s tumbling football fortunes.In his condolence message, Ubah said: “The loss was a great one at this time when there was a dire need to reposition Nigeria’s football.

“The place of Keshi in Nigeria football history is guaranteed as the story would not be complete without his contributions as a player, coach and leader.

“The departed legend should be immortalised as a motivation to those who still had a lot to offer the country,” he urged.According to Okpala, a long-standing teammate and coaching crew member, the former skipper and coach made enormous contributions to the development of football in the country.

In an interview with newsmen in Awka yesterday, he said: “The Nigerian government should not only immortalise, but also accord him state burial as he was a general in the country’s football circle.”