Nigerians Lament Low Media Coverage Of Keshi’s Burial

Many Nigerians obviously expected the burial of famous footballer, former captain of the Nigerian National Team and Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, to be a truly national event.Now, the unfortunate case of very little media coverage of the funeral proceedings which began on Thursday, July 28, has generated a lot of criticism within  Nigerian sporting circles. Many soccer fans, pundits and enthusiasts spoke to People and Power.

Fred Okperi

Sports Journalist, Lagos

It is a shame that Stephen Keshi who was once Super Eagles captain and who later coached the Nigerian national team, a man who won football laurels for this great country could be quietly buried. I expected Keshi to be celebrated at death. I expected the media to be falling over themselves trying to cover the burial of Stephen Keshi. But it is okay! Everything in this world is vanity afterall. One can only say, may his soul rest in peace. Amen!

Frank Ogeh

Educationist and writer, Lagos

After years wasted, millions of naira squandered on a futile search for expatriate coaches to bring honour to Nigerian football, a son of the soil named Okechukwu Keshi took on the mantle, and just after two years in charge, the Super Eagles of Nigeria clinched the African Nations Cup. Now that same hero is fallen, yet what the whole nation decides to give him is an empty farewell. No television coverage, not even an official statement from the nation’s number one citizen. What a shame!

Tever Jime Iger

Footballer, Makurdi

Keshi’s burial not being on national T.V. is a big shame to this country. It has further gone ahead to portray the age long notion about Nigeria as a nation that does not celebrate her heroes. I do not think that President Buhari did well on this matter by staying aloof.

Uche Onyemaobi

Former Footballer, Owerri Imo State

Rest in peace, Captain Keshi. You have fought a good fight. It is a pity that the nation you served did not appreciate you much. I had expected to watch the events on NTA, since I could not travel to Illah to witness the burial. The Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung owes the whole nation an explanation for this.

Victor Ugboaja

Sports journalist, Enugu

Keshi’s spirit will continue to haunt this nation for this inexplicable injustice done to this foremost Nigerian footballer. The ‘Big Boss’ does not deserve to be blacked out even in death. I had expected the whole nation to stay glued to their T.V. sets to watch how the great Keshi made his final return to mother earth. Farewell! Keshi the Great!

Hassan Augie

Newspaper Vendor, Kaduna

I am not happy that the only coverage we have for Keshi’s burial came mainly from newspapers and the internet. The broadcast media failed us, this is not the best we can give to such an icon as Stephen Keshi. Since the Federal Government stayed away, what happened to the governments of Edo and Delta States? Is it because Keshi was not a politician? I am not happy that Keshi is being given a silent burial.