BY: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
A Football Foundation has been lunched to immortalize the famous the late “Mr. Football” Etubom Orok Oyo Orok in the Cross River State.
The foundation was announced during a book lunch, chronicling the life and time of the First, Secretary of the Nigerian Football Association, (NFF) and Secretary General of the Nigerian Football body, First Committee member of FIFA and CAF Executive committee.
Speaking at a church service Duke Town Presbyterian Church Calabar and the U.J Esuene Stadium over the weekend, the First Son of the Football icon, Chief Oyo Orok said lack of the political will in Nigerian political system did not allow his father to be immortalized despite assurances by those in authorities that Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo (Mr Football) will be remembered for his contributions in African Football.
“The greatest misfortune that has befallen my Father, is to come from this part of the World,he started.”
Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo died 14 years ago on the 10th of September 2008 exactly 14 day’s after his 86th birthday, he would have been 100 years old by Saturday August 27th 2022 Were he to be alive.
According to the First Son, thought he may be dead, but he continues to lives in the minds of those who cherished him.
In a welcome address, the Chairman of the occasion Senator Andrew Uchendu Pro-chancellor and Chairmen of the Governing Council University of Port-Harcourtsaid the event is coming 14 years after his transition to enternal glory and in the year of his posthumous centenary birthday.
Senator Uchendu who was represented by Dr Asuquo Ekanem said the Essays of Mr Football is a compendium of articles of the late Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo containing 207 essays with 286 Pages.
“Let me at this point renew the call on Government both Federal and State to immortalized this great Son of the state for his contributions to the development of football within and outside the African Continent”.
“This they could do by naming a football team or stadium facility after this great icon, the man deserved to be so honoured”
In their separate remarks, the deputy Secretary general of the Nigerian Football Association Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, Chief Kenneth Nwocha of Delta State Football Association, who represented the President of Nigerian Football Association President (NFF) Mr Gregory Abang, 2nd Vice Chairmen Cross River State Football Association, assured that the NFF was working asidously to ensure that the late Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo was immortalized because so much has been said about him.
Earlier at the Church service, and unveiling of the tomstone at no 14 Edgerly street Calabar, the Minister incharge of Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Duke Town, Rev.Akil Mbe who preaches on the topic “Looking for a skill a skilled Man/Women”, Gen. 4: 1-14, Acts 9: 36-43 said when you understand your skills, nobody dare you as Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo understood his God giving skills.
