Football Legend, Rashidi Yekini laid to rest

7 May, 2012

Former Nigerian football international, Rashidi Yekini was buried Saturday in his home town in Kwara State.

The former prolific striker was laid to rest at Ira Offa, Kwara State amid tears by some sympathisers.

Rashidi Yekini scored Nigeria's first FIFA World Cup goal at the USA 1994 competition when the country first participated at the tournament. He is Nigeria's all time scorer for the national team.

The Chief Imam of Ira, Alhaji Shehu Tijani, who led the prayer before the burial, noted that death is the end of everyone.

The burial was witnessed by a large crowd of soccer fans from across the country.

Yekini, who died in a private hospital in Ibadan at about 10 p.m. on Friday, was brought to Ira at about 2 p.m. on Saturday for burial.

Present at the burial was the Kwara State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Prince Tunji Moronfoye, who pledged that government would do something to assist the deceased’s family.

Others were representatives of Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, Commissioner for Sports, Mr Stephen Kola Balogun who said the news of his death was received with shock.

The Osun State Government  donated N1 million as endowment fund for the soccer legend to cater for the family and children.

The mother of the deceased, Alhaja Sikirat Yekini, thanked his friends and government for their assistance.

She said her son had been sick and withdrew to himself about five years ago, adding that they spent all they had to take care of him before his death.

He died at the age of 48. He is survived by an aged mother.