This month's O’jez
Soccer Fans Nite Out which holds on Saturday, June 25, at the open
air section of O’jez celebrity restaurant, National Stadium
Complex, Surulere, Lagos, will be dedicated to two fallen
national soccer heroes; both former coaches of the Nigerian Super
Eagles, Stephen Keshi and Shaibu Amodu, the organizers have said.
The former Super Eagles coaches passed on untimely earlier
this month within three days interval. Keshi, however, was also former
captain of the Eagles and his long playing career witnessed a string
of successes in the nation’s national team side.
The O’jez Soccer Fans Nite, a night
of music, comedy, awards and dance is designed to create a platform
for brands to have a one on one contact with soccer fans, showcase
the activities of the Nigeria Premier League, international football
as well as promote peace, love and unity among Nigerian soccer fans.
It is a forum designed also to appreciate, honour and celebrate
Nigerian ex-internationals, active ones, sports media personalities,
corporate firms and entertainers for their contributions to the
growth and development of football and entertainment in Nigeria. The
maiden edition attracted a crowd of over 1, 000 people.
The maiden edition held last month was
dedicated to former Super Eagles goalkeeper and captain Peter Rufai
(Dodo Mayana), Mumuni Alao, sports journalist and Group MD, Complete
Communications as well as renowned comedian Gbenga Adeyinka who all
received the O’jez Lifetime Achievements Award.
Even in the middle of mourning two
great coaches of the Eagles, the organisers will also present the
O’jez Lifetime Achievements Awards to former striker of the Super
Eagles, Henry Nwosu as well as veteran sports journalist and
marketer, Mr. Dudu Orumen.
Veteran sports journalist, Mr. Effiong
Uyo, one of the coordinators of the monthly event said the choice of
Nwosu and Orumen was a perfect one “just like last month’s
combination of Peter Rufai, Mumuni Alao and Gbenga Adeyinka. I must
say that last month’s event which was the maiden edition was a huge
success not only in the area of attendance alone but with the quality
of the show. We will however improve on that success this month and
in consequent editions.”
He described the sudden deaths of Keshi
and Amodu as a big blow to “not only Nigerian football but Africa
in general. We just witnessed the sudden demise of an era in football
coaching and this should make any football loving Nigerian sad.
However, we are not God, so we cannot question His decision to take
from us two rare gems. But as humans, we will and must continue to
celebrate them even in death. That is why the May 25 show is
dedicated to the duo.”
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