The Nigeria football legend died on June 8, 2016, at the age of 54 in what was a huge loss to Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world.
The NFF delegation to the final rites was led by the President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, and includes, Mr. Frank Ilaboya (Chairman of the Edo State Football Association), Mr. Neville Bekederemo (Chairman of NPFL side Warri Wolves FC) and Mr. Edema Fuludu (Chairman of Delta State League Management Company).
With several activities lined up for the occasion, however there was a low turn of delegates from the federal government.
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There are indications that there was a fallout between Keshi’s family and the federal government, after the later had instructed the family to postpone the burial till after the Rio Olympics.
Sports minister Solomon Dalung, said: “We don’t want a haphazard burial for such a great patriot. We will unveil details after the games.”
However, Dalung said rather than run the risk of falling short on assisting the children of the 54-year-old when more pressing needs arises in the future, he was willing to sacrifice throwing a colorful ceremony.
The family however insisted on carrying out the funeral rites on the said date, which provoked the government into backing out of the proposed plan to honour one of Nigeria’s greatest football icon.
The burial plans begins with a church service at St’ Paul Catholic Church, Benin City at 9am. The body will then be moved to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where a novelty match will be held in his honour, followed by his body lying in state for his numerous admirers to pay their last respect.
After that, the body moves to Asaba, the Delta State capital, where it will again lie in state at the stadium named after him by former Delta State governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Nnebisi Road.
From Asaba, the body will leave for Illah, his home town. On entering Illah, the body will be received by the Obi of Illah, HRH Obi Gbemudu along with his high chiefs, where Keshi himself was a high chief of the Illah kingdom.
Apart from winning the African Cup of Nations with Nigeria as a player and coach, Keshi also took the team to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup, led the team to the FIFA Confederations Cup and qualified Nigeria for the African Nations Championship for the first time, winning bronze at the competition.