It was tears and eulogies when the body of late Super Eagles player, Olubayo Adefemi lied in state at the Indoor Sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos Thursday.
The laying in state of late Olubayo Adefemi held at the Indoor Sporta hall of National stadium, Lagos. .Photo by Sylva Eleanya.
Members of the Nigeria Football Federation, led by its first vice president, Chief Mike Umeh, chairman of the NFF technical committee, Barrister Chris Green, national team coach, Samson Siasia, his assistant, Ike Shorunmu, Super Eagles co-ordinator, Emmanuel Attah, Eagles Secretary, Dayo Enebi, friends, fans and members of the fallen star’s immediate family were all present to pay their last respect to Olubayo Adefemi who was killed in a ghastly automobile accident in Greece April 18.
The body arrived the national stadium, Lagos at 10.16 am in a black jeep, with registration number Ebony 8.
Dressed in black jeans trousers, black top and a black sunshade to cover her tearful eyes, Olubayo’s fiancee, Folashade Adesina had relatives around her throughout.
Oma Akatugba, a close friend of the late footballer remained transfixed on his seat when mourners were asked to go round the casket to pay their last respect to Olubayo. “I did not need to put myself in such agony. I couldn’t stand the agony of seeing my friend lying down there without saying a word to me,“ Akatugba who would have been Olubayo’s groom’s mate at his wedding told Sports Vanguard.
NFF vice President, Mike Umeh said the board was deeply touched by the unfortunate death of the young Nigerian international.
“The only thing we can do now is to put ‘Bayo in prayer. Bayo did not deserve a ‘red card’ at this young age. In his short life, he put Nigeria’s name on the World Map and brought smiles to millions of faces. Nobody expected his exit so soon,” Umeh eulogised. Former national team goalkeepers trainer, Joe Erico said Olubayo touched many lives.
“The little time he spent on earth, he touched so many lives. We can’t question God.” Erico, however, advised that in the spirit of the national anthem, “let the works of our heros past not go in vain.”
Said he, “I am happy to see the NFF here, but they should not forget the family because if Olubayo were alive, these are the people he would have taken care of.
National team coach, Samson Siasia said “we will all miss Bayo. He was humble and ready to do whatever he was asked to do. Bayo was the kind of player you want to have every time. What we need to do now is to take care of the family.”
Secretary of the Association of Professional Footballers of Nigerian(APFON), Austin Popo said his organisation would meet the family of their late member and see where they could assist in due course. The late footballer’s ID card of APFON was handed over to the family, for the records.
The body left the national stadium in a convoy at exactly 11.16 a.m. for the Atan cemetery for interment.
Source : Surprise
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