Mum of late Flying Eagles Captian, Ali Jeje, Hajiya Khadija Inuwa Ali, right, former Golden Eaglets player Salisu Nakande and representaive of the Minister of Sports, Sam Pam jnr (centre) presenting the minister’s palliatives to Jeje’s mum in Jos
The mother of late Captain of the Flying Eagles Ali Jeje Ibrahim, Hajiya Khadija Inuwa Ali became the latest beneficiary of the largesse being extended to mothers of former National team players and athletes when she was given cash, food items and provision at her residence in Jos, Plateau State on Thursday.
The minister was represented by another former International Sam Pam Adamu Jr. The Minister said the gesture of assisting the aged mother was to appreciate the immense contributions of her son to the development of Nigerian Football.
This was contained in a statement from the Media Office to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development.
An elated Hajiya Ali said she was surprised that the Minister could remember her, years after the demise of her son. She noted that the Minister’s gesture did not only lift her spirit, but convinced her that her son did not labour in vain. She expressed delight that the gesture came at the right time during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
“May God bless the Minister Mr. Sunday Dare and the government for remembering me. That means my son did not labour in vain. God will reward the Minister for his kindness,” Hajiya Ali concluded.
Ali Jeje captained Nigeria to the World Youth Championship in Mexico in 1983, after leading the team to win the Africa Youth Championship, known as the Tesema cup in the same year. He died on December 12th, 2007 following a brief illness. He played club Football for Mighty Jets of Jos and Abiola Babes of Abeokuta.
Some of his team mates include Yisa Shofoluwe, Dahiru Sadi, Tarila Okorowanta, Dehinde Akinlotan, Tajudeen Disu, Femi and Segun Olukanmi, Garba Manu among others.
