I woke up about 5:30am on 7th
of June, 2016, had my morning devotion and went about getting ready for the
day’s work. I was really not expecting any surprises like the one I got when I took
a quick glance at my phone on my way out for any messages and news updates. The
first news that popped up at me was a rude shock, Stephen Keshi is dead! At
first, I thought it was one of those fake news so I decided to confirm the authenticity
of the news from Channels news website, and loo and behold the news was there
confirming Stephen Keshi’s death. Sudden sadness welled up within me as I decided
to right there on the spot observe my one minute silence in honour of the
departed hero.
Some hours later, I started seeing lots
of tributes trooping in for the late Legend of football in Africa and the world
at large; tributes from people like FIFA president, NFF president, Super Eagle’s
captain Mikel Obi, Former Super Eagle captain Joseph Yobo, Samson Siasia, CAF
President, Kelechi Nwakali, Flying Eagles coach Emmanuel Amuneke, Kanu
Nwanko, JayJay Okocha and loads of other international and Local
football players. Within hours, all the media platform, traditional, new and
social, become frenzy with condolences and tributes to the family of the late
icon.
Amidst all the condolences and tributes
pouring in from all directions even from those we knew never said anything good
about him while he was alive, I was struck with the thought of WHY MUST WE WAIT FOR OUR HEROES TO DIE
BEFORE WE CELEBRATE THEM IN NIGERIA?
Stephen Okechukwu Chinedu Keshi popularly called the big boss, served
Nigeria passionately and became one of the only two indigenous coaches to have won
the African Cup of Nations trophy and also qualify the country for the World
Cup both in 2013. Keshi played for the Nigerian national team and also featured
in 1994 FIFA world cup. He played five African nation cups and was the captain
of the team that won the 1994 African cup of nation. He was a former coach of
Togo and Mali national teams and surprisingly helped the later to their first
world cup tournament in Germany in 2006.
Despite the Big Boss brilliant performance as a player and as a coach,
he was not well celebrated for his roles in promoting Nigerian Football, which
I believe it’s not quite encouraging for upcoming footballers and coaches in
the country whom would have loved to sacrifice and give more if not their all
to the progress and development of the Nigerian football.
Most of the time, it was more of negative criticism and name calling
when he reigned as the head coach of the Nigerian national team. These
criticism came more from those that should know better and support the local
brand.
The way and manner we treat true patriots and individuals that give
themselves in service to achieve national glory and honour will continue to
define and influence how the upcoming youths will risk their lives to defend
our dear nation.
It’s high time we started to celebrate our heroes and appreciate their little
efforts towards building our nation, no matter how small. Let us celebrate them
while they are still alive and let others see them being celebrated, then we
can later talk about how we want to immortalised them after their death.
Keshi was said to have had heart attack and died en-route the hospital in Benin City Nigeria. He is survived by
four children and his mother.
He has done his own and gone, what will people say about you when you
are gone?
May His soul continue to rest in peace.
Bakare Oluwaseun
@papabaks
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