Officials of the Edo State Sports Commission (ESSC) on Tuesday morning paid a condolence visit to the family of Late Chief Oyuki Jackson Obaseki.
Obaseki, a renowned football administrator in Nigeria, who at different times board member and chairman of Bendel Insurance Football club, and chairman of the Nigerian Premier League, died on Sunday morning at the age of 75 years.
The ESSC team was led by its chairman, Barrister Godwin Dudu-Orumen and included Mr Sunny Airende, Director of Sports, Mr Arewa, Deputy Director and Mr Bright Idahosa, Head Coach of the Scrabble Association. The team was received by Engineer Obaseki and Mr Oyuki Jnr.
Dudu-Orumen, who shared close ties with the late football icon dating back more than four decades, said he was devastated by the passing of Obaseki who he said in addition to being a mentor to him, played a key role in the development of Bendel Insurance FC and the rejuvenation and modernisation of the Nigerian Premier League, which was practically comatose until Obaseki took over as its chairman.
“Chief Obaseki was a gift to Nigerian football. Our football is diminished by the passing of this great man. Aside his astuteness in turning around the fortunes of the Nigerian Premier League, which to all intents and purposes was in its death throes, he courageously defended attempts by some football mercenaries masquerading as sports administrators to hijack the league and hark it back to its inglorious days,” Dudu-Orumen stated.
He said the late football administrator would be remembered by the government and people of Edo State for his many contributions to the growth and development of Bendel Insurance FC both as a member of its board and later its chairman.
Describing the late football icon as a patriot, he charged his family to hold their heads high as they grieved for their father had in his lifetime not only brought honour to the family but to Nigeria as well through his many contributions to Nigerian football.
“Chief Obaseki lived a commendable life; he was a father to many and he inspired a number of individuals including myself to venture into sports administration. We are grateful for the time he spent with and will definitely miss him,” Dudu-Orumen said.
