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Photos & Video Highlights From Stephen Keshi’s Funeral Ceremony in Edo & Delta States
The world of football lost a treasure with the sudden death of the former Super Eagles coach and player, Stephen Keshi, popularly called Skippo or Big Boss who died on June 8, 2016.
He was a legend in African football in a league of his own. He was most celebrated as the only Nigerian to win the African Nations Cup as a player and a phenomenal coach. He is also the first African to lead two countries to the world cup – Nigeria and Togo.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick and the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro led mourners including a cross section of the Keshi family members, clergy, dignitaries and football fans throughout the ceremonies. Key to the planning and coordination were Patrick Ukah, Honourable Commissioner of Information, Delta state, and the late coach’s friends and family members.
Chairman of the Edo Football Association, Frank Illaboya, Chairman of Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Warri Wolves, Neville Bekederemo, Nollywood Veteran, Alex Usifo, and Chairman of Delta state League Management Company, Edema Fuludu, and veteran footballers like Fanny Amun, Austin Eguavoen, Aloy Agu, Victor Ikpeba, Mutiu Adepoju, Okechukwu Uche, Peter Rufai, Kanu Nwankwo, Taribo West, Chigozie Agbim, Friday Ekpo, Emeka Ezeugo were all part of the events.
The events, organised by LTJ Funerals International were as follows:
Thursday, July 28, 2016:
- 8:00 am Requiem mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 30 Airport Road, Benin City, Edo State
- 10:00am Lying in State at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium
- Novelty match by All Stars and Tributes at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Stadium Road, Benin City, Edo State
- Body is received at the boundary between Delta and Edo states
- Lying in State at Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Indoor Hall, Asaba
- Novelty Match by All Stars and Tribute at Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, Delta State from 2:30PM
- Service of Songs/Vigil Mass at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, Delta State by 6:00PM
The Keshi children
Amaju Pinnick, NFF President
Stephen Femi Keshi
Some of the LTJ Team
NFF Officials
Lying in state & tributes at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Delta State
The All Stars Novelty Match Line-up
Amaju Pinnick, NFF President & ex-international, Viktor IKpeba
Austin Eguavoen
Peter Rufai placing the team jersey on the casket
Address & tributes by Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro
Delta Chiefs and Elders paying tributes
Keshi’s Ex- team mates. L-R: Okechukwu Uche, Alloy Agwu, Austin Eguavoen
Friday, July 29, 2016:
- Body leaves Asaba for Illah, Delta State by 7AM
- Brief stopover at the Ogbelani Palace for traditional rites as a Palace chief by 8AM
- Lying in State at his family home, Ukpologwu Quarters, Illah, Delta State from 8:30AM
- Body leaves from the Family Compound to St John Evangelist Catholic Church by 9:45AM
- Requiem mass at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, Delta State by 10AM
- Interment at his family compound, Ukpologwu Quarters, Illah, Delta State from 12:30PM
- Entertainment of guest at Omorka Primary School Playground
See Photos below:
Patrick Ukah, Honourable Commissioner for Information, Delta State
A cross section of the Super Eagles 1994 team members during the service, Illah, Delta state
Address by Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro
Peter Rufai
Austin Eguavoen
Mutiu Adepoju
A Thanksgiving mass was held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, Delta state on Sunday, July 31st.
Watch Video Highlights below:
Credits:
Planner: LTJ Funerals International
Photos: LTJ Media | ErosPhotograhy – @iam_erosphotography | OMJ @omj.media | Aragraphy | Alvin & Ben
