President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, on Saturday said the NFF would name the Under-17 tournament after the late Super Eagles’ striker, Rasheed Yekini.
Speaking during Yekini’s fidau prayer at Ira, Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Maigari who later left for an official engagement at Abuja and was subsequently represented by NFF First Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh, also donated N500,000 to the immediate family of the deceased.
He also said NFF would organise an international football match in Kwara State, adding that proceeds from such a competition would go for the upkeep of Yekini’s family.
Maigari said, “NFF is not going to close its eyes in taking care of Yekini’s family. It is going to ensure that through the Minister of Youths and Sports, Yekini has a national honour.
“There are many more things to come. The moment we have our executive meeting in Abuja next week, we will get back to Yekini’s family. Yekini is not a man to be forgotten in a hurry.”
Umeh in an interview with journalists described the deceased as a disciplined, obedient player and a prolific goal scorer.
He stated that the NFF tried to keep in touch with Yekini before his death but that it was not easy to communicate with him.
Similarly, the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Rasaq Atunwa, described Yekini as a footballer that brought glory to his people, Kwara State and Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Kwara State, Mr. Anthony Towoju, also said the Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, was working out a plan to immortalise Yekini.
A former Chairman, Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Association, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, told our correspondent that members of the South West Football Association would soon meet on what to do for the Yekini family.
“We will not leave the family alone. What is necessary at the right time, we will do it. South-West Football Association will have meeting next week and whatever the outcome of the meeting is, we will let the family know,” he said.
A Lagos-based lawyer who is also from Kwara State, Mr. Wahab Shittu, appealed to the Kwara State Government to name the Kwara State Stadium after Yekini.
Yekini died on May 4 and was buried the following day. Aged 49 years, he left behind three wives and three daughters. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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