FROM JULIANA TAIWO – O BA LO NY E , FRED ITUA, ROMANUS UGWU,ABUJA
TRIBUTES have continued to pour in as Nigerians and football lovers all over the world mourn the shocking demise of ex-international and former Super Eagles coach, ‘big boss’ Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.
Reacting to the colosal lose, President Muhammadu Buhari said Nigerian football won’t be the same without the AFCON 2013 winning coach.
Buhari tweeted through his official tweeter handle @NGRPresident: “Nigeria today lost a great sportsman, football player, coach and citizen.
”President Buhari commiserates with the family of the late Stephen Keshi, and with the entire country, on his untimely death.
“Nigerian football will not be the same without Stephen Keshi. He gave this country his all. May his soul rest in peace.”
Former Vice president Atiku Abubakar, in his reaction, described Keshi’s death as an untimely loss of a golden sports gem and a pacesetter.
“It saddens my heart to learn of the stunning news of the death of the golden boy of Nigerian football. His departure is more touching when one recalls that Keshi also lost his loving wife of 35 years, Kate to cancer last year thus rendering their young children hapless orphans” Atiku lamented.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, described as a “rude shock” the news of the death of the former skipper and Chief Coach of the Super Eagles.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the sad occurrence was both painful and unfortunate coming at a time the nation is in dire need of wisdom and rich experience of sports professionals like the late international star to stabilise its soccer architecture.
Saraki said: “Keshi was an excellent star. His soccer artistry and leadership skills remain unparalleled. His days, while donning the national colours and his stint as a national coach of the Super Eagles could rightly be regarded as “Nigeria’s golden moments” in both national, continental and world soccer.
In the same vein Pillar of Sports in Africa and former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, commiserated with the Keshi family over the demise of the Nigerian soccer legend.
According to the ex-governor, Keshi committed his sporting career to the development of soccer beyond the shores of Nigeria, adding that his demise is a major loss to Nigeria.
“I remember vividly the superlative performance of Keshi in his early days as a defender in the national team, Super Eagles.
“Having served in different capacities in sports, he committed his life to the development of sports in Africa and beyond.
“ His accomplishments in the football world are worth celebrating.
“Keshi left this world at a time his professional expertise is needed.
“ However, we take solace in the fact that he made indelible contributions to Nigeria especially in the area of sports”.
Kalu urged the federal government to honour the late ex-Super Eagles’ coach by naming one of the national monuments after him.
While admonishing the deceased’s children to exhibit the selfless qualities of their late father in their daily pursuits, he prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the sad loss.
Kalu commiserated with the government and people of Delta State, the Nigerian Football Federation and sports lovers.
He prayed God to grant the late international footballer eternal rest.