Former Super Eagles striker, Benedict Akwuegbu
By Danusa Ocholi
A former Nigerian international and member of the Super Eagles’ to Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup finals, Benedict Akwuegbu, has commended the Sports Minister, Mr Sunday Dare for his favourbable disposition towards Nigeria’s former internationals.
He particularly lauded Mr Dare for placing the mothers of late national team’s players, Rashidi Yekini and Sam Okwaraji, on monthly stipends to enable them cope with life in absence of their deceased sons who at various times played for Nigeria.
The two footballers’ mothers and their families were neglected by the previous sports administrations and were as a result left to cater for themselves since the demise of their bread winners.
Akwuegbu also commended the Minister for making time to visit the mother of the Flying Eagles captain, Ali Jeje in Jos where he gave her some gift items and palliative during the lockdown and as well as to the ailing Sunday Eboigbe who has been down with ailment in Benn City to give him necessary support.
He described the Minister’s support to the former internationals and their families as unprecedented in the history of this country.
Dare had at the eighth anniversary of the death of the former African Footballer of the Year, Rashidi Yekini, on May 4, sent a delegation to Alhaja Sikiratu Yekini, mother of the late footballer to Ijagbo, in Kwara State where it was announced that the late footballer’s mother and that of Okwaraji will be placed on monthly stipend of N10,000.00 each.
Akwuegbu commended the Sports Minister for his initiative ,adding that “his gesture is noteworthy and commendable and applause because various ministers have come and gone, but none of them thought of doing anything for the Okwarajis and the Yekinis.”
He said “the NFF equally deserves our commendation for following the Minister’s inititive by placing the two mothers on monthly palliative of N30,000 each.”
The former Nigeria’s international who previously played for Grazer AK of Austria and was their prolific striker urged the Sports Minister and the NFF to continue from where they have started by ensuring they hold regular meetings with former internationals so that they can bring their wealth of experience to bear in the administration of the beautiful game in the country.
