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Photos & Video Highlights From Stephen Keshi’s Funeral Ceremony in Edo & Delta States

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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 WolvesNeville 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

Day 1 C - Arriving Church in Benin

Day 1 D - Arriving Church in Benin

Day 1 E - Casket is taken out of the hearse

Day 1 F - Casket being carried into church

Day 1 G - The Keshi children

The Keshi children

Day 1 H - Casket being recieved by the clergy

Day 1 K - The service in Benin

Day 1 M - Amaju Pinnick, NFF President

Amaju Pinnick, NFF President

Day 1 N - Stephen Femi Keshi reading

Stephen Femi Keshi

Day 1 P - Some of the LTJ Team

Some of the LTJ Team

Day 1 Q - Arriving the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin

Day 1 Qb - The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin

Day 1 R - Arriving the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin

Day 1 T- The Keshi Children

Day 1 U - NFF officials

NFF Officials

Day 1 V - A moment of silence

Day 1 viiii - Lying in state & tributes at Stephen Keshi Stadium

Lying in state & tributes at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Delta State

Day 1 Y - The All Stars Novelty Match Line-up

The All Stars Novelty Match Line-up

Day 1 Z - Amaju Pinnick, NFF President being introduced to the players by Mr Frank Ilaboya, Chairman of the Edo State Football Association

Day 1 Zi - Amaju Pinnick, NFF President & Viktor IKpeba

Amaju Pinnick, NFF President & ex-international, Viktor IKpeba

Day 1 Zii - The Kick-off of the Novelty Match by Amaju Pinnick

Day 1 Ziv - Austin Eguavoen

Austin Eguavoen

Day 1 Zvi - Peter Rufai placing the team jersey on the casket, in tears

Peter Rufai placing the team jersey on the casket

Day 1 Zvii - Address & tributes by Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro

Address & tributes by Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro

Day 1 Zx - Delta Chiefs and Elders paying tributes

Delta Chiefs and Elders paying tributes

Day 1 Zxxi - The Ex- team mates ( Okechukwu Uche, Alloy Agwu, Austin Eguavon)

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:

Day 2 1 - Casket eing placed in the car, St. Luke's Mortuary, Asaba, Delta State

Day 2 A - Procession leaving the mortuary

Day 2 E - Procession arriving Illah, Delta State

Day 2 I - Patrick Ukah, Honourable Commissioner for Information, Delta State

Patrick Ukah, Honourable Commissioner for Information, Delta State

Day 2 J - Leaving the country home of the Keshi's for the final church service

Day 2 M - at the final farewell service, Illah, Delta state

Day 2 N - A cross section of the Super Eagles 1994 team members during the service, Illah, Delta state

A cross section of the Super Eagles 1994 team members during the service, Illah, Delta state

Day 2 P - Address by Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro

Address by Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro

Day 2 F - The Keshi's

Day 2 S- Peter Rufai

Peter Rufai

Day 2 T - Austin Eguavoen

Austin Eguavoen

Day 2 U - Mutiu Adepoju

Mutiu Adepoju

Day 2 W - On the final journey

Day 2 Y - the grave

Day 2 Za - the end

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_erosphotographyOMJ  @omj.mediaAragraphy | Alvin & Ben

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