By Oye Chukwujekwu
The executive chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Chief Tonobok Okowa, has reaffirmed that the late Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles ex-captain and coach, was a patriotic Nigerian who served selflessly for the upliftment of sports in the country.
He also said that Keshi and brought Delta State to a league of sports excellence.
he disclosed this He spoke during Keshi’s lying in state in the Keshis Stadium Asaba.
Tonobok said Keshi was born on January 23, 1962 to the family of Ogbuenyi and Mrs. Fedrick Keshi at Azere in present day Bauchi State of Nigeria, and hailed from illah Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to him, in the early part of Keshis life, he showed interest in football which constantly pitched him against the wishes of his parents who saw no future in the path the young Keshi was treading, stressing, “little did they know that that he was going to turn out to be one of the greatest lights to shine from the family.”
He further noted that Keshi became a household name in Nigeria and Africa playing and coaching football, adding that his talent in football and his leadership qualities stood him shoulder above his peers, and was independent minded, outspoken and stands for the truth at all times and always at loggerheads with those who wanted to undermine him.
“However the will of God prevailed in his life and he rose to the pinnacle of his chosen career,” he said, describing Keshi as “a man of many parts, a footballer, a coach, commentator and an analyst.”
