FIFA, CAF, others shun immortalisation of ‘Mr. Football,’ Orok Oyo, 14 years after

It was a show of shame in Calabar at the weekend as world football organising body, FIFA, Confederation of African Football (CAF) and top government officials shunned the immortalisation of the country’s first FIFA executive committee member and CAF executive committee, Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo.

Not even top officials of football and sports of Nigerian government were present. The Minister of Sports Mr. Sunday Dare, the State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade and others were also absent.

However, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, was represented by the duo of the Deputy Secretary General of the NFF, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and the Chairman of Delta State Football Association, Chief Kenneth Nwocha.

Etubom Oyo, popularly known as ‘Mr. Football,’ who was also the first secretary of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) and Secretary General of the Nigerian football body, died 14 years ago.

Fourteen years after the neglect by the relevant bodies and government to immortalise the late ‘Mr. Football,’ his family, led by his first son, Etubom Orok Oyo Orok (Jnr.), launched the first Mr. Football Foundation in Calabar, Cross River State. At the Foundation launch, a book, chronicling the life and times of Oyo managing football in Nigeria, CAF and FIFA was presented in a colourful ceremony at the Duke Town Presbyterian Church, Calabar. It was rounded off with the launch at U.J. Esuene Stadium.

The first son of the football icon, Etubom Orok, took swipe at the political class, saying lack of political will did not allow his father to be immortalised despite assurances by those in authority.

He lamented: “The greatest misfortune that has befallen my father is to come from this part of the world.”

Etubom Oyo died September 10,