The final burial rites for the late former Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi will begin today in Benin City, even as the Federal Government said it will stage a hero’s funeral for him after the Rio Olympics later next month.
“We don’t want a haphazard burial for such a great patriot, that is why the minister of sports, Solomon Dalung, has said the FG will play its own part after the Olympics”, declared the Special Adviser, Media, to the Sports Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze.
“We will unveil details after the games.”
The Keshi family is however, going ahead with the burial plans beginning with a Church Service today at the St. Paul Catholic Church, Benin City by 9am.
The body of the ‘Big Boss’ as Keshi was fondly called will then be moved to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where a novelty match will be held in his honour, followed by his body Lying In-State for his numerous admirers to pay their last respect.
The match is being organised by his former team-mates led by Austin Eguavoen, who has also captained and coached the national senior team.
From Benin, the body moves to Asaba, the Delta State capital, where his body will again lie in state at the Stadium named after him by former Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, on Nnebisi Road.
From Asaba, the body will leave for Illah, his homestead.
Meanwhile, Togo FA president, Guy Akpovi will lead a strong delegation for the burial rites of the former Hawks of Togo coach.
Keshi made history when he coached lowly-rated Togo to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday confirmed that the final rites would now be confined to Edo and Delta States.