By Obaseki Anthony on May 7, 2020

Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) sides Nasarawa United and Bayelsa United, as well as Nationwide League outfit Bendel Insurance, have joined in mourning the Chairman of Enugu State Football Association, Chief Chidi Offor Okenwa.

Chairman of Nasarawa United, Barrister Isaac Danladi, has expressed rude shock following Okenwa’s death, on May 5 in Enugu, after a brief illness.

According to Barr. Danladi, “It is with heavy heart but total submission to the will of Almighty God that I received the news of the sudden and untimely death of my very good friend, brother and ally.”

He eulogised the late Okenwa, 50, who was also Independent Board Chairman of Nigerian National League (NNL), describing him as a jolly good fellow.

Danladi said: “The late Chief Okenwa was a very nice person, particularly to me. I recall we were together as members of the Technical Committee of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), and recently, too, we served on the same Committee of the NFF Reforms Committee.

“Also, I have been on several national and international trips with him to represent the country as far as football is concerned.

“My last encounter with him, actually, was during that Committee Assignment in Benin City, Edo State.”

Barr. Danladi, who is also Chairman of the NPFL Club Owners’ Association, said the death of Okenwa was a huge loss to the entire football family in Nigeria.

“As Chairman of the Nigerian National League, which is the second tier of league football in Nigeria, he did all he could to bring the league to where it is today

“Certainly, the Nigerian Football Federation and football in general has lost one of their finest and best brains ever.

“He will be remembered for his contributions to the development of football, not only in Enugu State where hailed from, but Nigeria as a whole,” Danladi said.

Condoling the family of Okenwa, was diagnosed of having leukemia, the management of Bayelsa United in a statement by Club Chairman, Sir Braveman Wodi, described his death as a big loss to the football fraternity.

Sir Wodi paid glowing tribute to the deceased, saying that he was a good friend. He urged Okenwa’s family to take solace in the fact that the late NNL Boss “lived to witness the enormous success achieved by his family.”

The statement pointed out that Okenwa “will be remembered for his contributions to the development of football, not only in Enugu State where hailed from, but Nigeria as a whole.”

It described the departed Okenwa as “a jolly good fellow, devout Christian and a leader who devoted his lifetime to the service of God and humanity.”

On its part, the management and staff of Bendel Insurance in a statement signed by the Secretary, Mr Charles Ihimekpen, and released by the Media Officer Kehinde Osagiede, described the demise of the NNL Boss as “shocking and a big loss to the Nigerian leagues and the country’s Football Federation as a whole.”

According to the statement, “We received the sad news of the passing away of  the

Executive member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF with a rude shock and disbelief.

“It is unbelievable and a monumental loss for NNL, Enugu FA and Nigeria, considering his passion for grassroots football development in the country.

“He will surely be missed especially now that football federations all over the world are counting on experienced and passionate administrators on the way forward in a post Covid-19 world of football.

“We commiserate with his immediate family, friends and the Nigerian football family as a whole, and as well pray God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

We also pray God to grant the departed soul eternal rest.”

•PHOTO: Late NFF chieftain Chidi Offor Okenwa

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 7, 2020

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