BY: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
The first son of “Mr Football”, Etubom Orok Oyo Orok, Chief Orok Oyo, has fingered the Federal Government for abandoning his late father who saw money but never stole public funds.
He made this remarks ahead of the Centennial celebration of the late ”Mr. Football” Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo in the Cross River State capital Saturday,
“You see in Nigeria, the more money you steal, the more hounour you get, and that is what my late father is suffering from, because he didn’t steal public money, so they have abandoned us” .
“In 2019, the former Minister came to Calabar and promised that they are going to name a Stadium after him, a football team, float an academy and today. The current Minister is not saying anything. He does not pick my calls, nor reply to messages. That is Nigeria for you”.
“Ivory Coast gave my father the highest award in the land in 1982, but in Nigeria, it was in 2003 and guest what they gave him (MON)”
Oyo Orok expressed his displeasure why his late father “Mr football” was abandoned because he didn’t steal unlike looters who are being celebrated.
“Etubom Oyo Orok the man who was popularly known as “Mr Football” would have been 100 years on 27th August 2022, having been born on that date in the year 1922 and died in 2018.”
“One of Africa, nay the world’s most renowned football administrators, Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo served as Secretary-General of then Nigeria Football Association in 1958, and then between 1961 and 1963, and also between 1967 and 1971. He then moved to the Confederation of African Football, where he served as Member of the Executive Committee from 1974 to 1988.”
Etubom Oyo was also Nigeria’s first-ever Member of the FIFA Executive Committee, and retired as Life Vice President of CAF. He died on 10th September 2008.
“We are planning a glamour event to celebrate Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo, and the family is working with a number of friends and the NFF to make it a memorable occasion.”
“On the day, we will be launching a book that is a compilation of all the writings and speeches of the late Etubom Oyo, and we will also be launching the O3 Foundation on the same day,” Chief Orok Oyo, son of the late Etubom Oyo,
President of the NFF, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick is expected to lead a strong NFF team that will also include the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi to Calabar for the historic event.
The centinnel celebration will take place at Presbyterian Church Duke Town and the main event at U.J.Esuene Stadium.