RASHIDI YEKINI's 40 Days: Friends, Family Pay Tribute

The main-bowl of Obafemi Awolowo Stadium was agog on Wednesday when the two wives of the deceased, one of his daughters, families, clerics, Members of Senate Committee on Sports, friends, associates and Members of Football Supporters
Club converged to celebrate the life of the former Super Eagles Striker, Rashidi Yekini during a forty days Fidau prayer held for him in Ibadan.

The choice of Ibadan for the event as explained the lawyer to the late Yekini, Jibril Mohammed who footed the major financial bill of the event was that, Ibadan was where the deceased prospered and lived the better part of his life.

He also disclosed that the desire of his client while alive was to be buried in his house in Ibadan anytime he meets his demise, but the family over ruled that by buring him in his home town, Ira Kwara State.

The Chief Imam of Ibadanland Ahlaji Busari Soara led other top Islamic scholars which included Alhaji Amoo Alaga, Sheik Ibrahim Ayede, Sheik Umar Abubakar Erubu and Alhaji WO Lawal, Chief Imam of mosque where Yekini prays while alive to
offer payers during the fidau.

Other Sports personalities that witnessed the event apart from his two wives, Deola and Patricia who came for the event from England included: Coach Joseph Ladipo popularly known as Jossy Lad, Segun Odegbami, Iduwo Otubusin, Toyin Ayinla Dimeji Lawal, Raymond King, Gboyega Okegbenro, Chairman Gateway FC. Sina Inaolaji Chairman, 3SC supporters Club, Bar. Leye Adepoju, Chairman Oyo State Football Association and members of Oyo State Soccer Ambassadors.  

Otunba Bashorun Issah, the Chairman, Nigeria Football Supporters Club also led 50-man contingent of its members who entertained guests with their danceable tune during a commemorative friendly match to honour the late soccer legend which
involved 3SC and Gateway FC which ended in 1-1 draw.

Friends and associate who took turn to speak extolled the virtues the late former Vitória de Setúbal top scorer. “How the national team till date could not still boast of any striker with Yekini’s quality, he scored 37 goals for Nigeria's national side, until his death was the national record top goal scorer”, said Odegbami in his tribute.

Lanre Akanbi