Tag: Oliha

The officials of Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and ex-internationals on Friday in Benin paid tributes as their late colleague, Thompson Oliha, was buried in Benin.

The final journey of Oliha, who died on June 30 in an Ilorin hospital after a brief illness, followed a lying-in-state ceremony at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.

Edo and Kwara states as well as and NFA ex-internationals in their eulogies, described Oliha as a humble gentleman and a dedicated player during his lifetime.

Leye Adepoju, the representative of the association, said Oliha “was a disciplined gentleman and a patriotic Nigerian, who the present crop of players should emulate’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was a novelty match between an Edo selected side of ex-internationals against the Kwara Academy, Oliha’s last employers.

Some of the players who featured in the match were Austin Eguavoen, Aloy Agu, Emeka Ezeugo, Ben Iroha and Baldwin Bazuaye.

The Edo and Kwara governments pledged one million naira each to Oliha’s children, Aisosa and Paris.

His remains were later interred at his house at No 3, Thompson Oliha Ave, off Sakpoba Road, Benin.

The body of the late Thompson Oliha was finally laid to rest at his no. 3 Thompson Oliha Crescent off Edo Street, Upper Sokponba Road, Benin City at about 1.30pm yesterday.

A memorial match was played in his honour by his colleagues led by Austin Eguavoen at the lying- in-state at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

The match which was played by Edo selected and some members of the ‘94 squad ended 1-1.

Also in memory of his last place of work, the ‘94 squad and some ex internationals wore Kwara Football Academy jerseys while Edo selected were on Insurance jerseys.

In a short remark, Comrade Adams Oshiomole of Edo State said the death of Oliha was a big loss to the people of Edo State and Nigeria in general.

The governor, who spoke through his commissioner for youth and sports, Lady Omorede Osifo, said the State will be organising a yearly youth football championship, to be called the Thompson Oliha Soccer Championship.

The governor also donated two million naira to the two kids of Oliha and personally appealed to the family to come to the government house on Monday with the kids where he will present the cheque to them. His counterpart, Kwara State governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed made a donation of one million naira to the kids.

In his speech given by the Kwara State director of sports Tunde Kazeem, Governor Ahmed expressed the feelings of the government and people of Kwara State over the death of Oliha.

He condoled with the government and people of Edo State, especially the Oliha family adding that Oliha was a dedicated and loyal employee of the state government who will be missed by all.

On her part, Perpetua Clement, the admin manager, Kwara Football Academy described him as a hard working gem.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) represented by Barr. Leye Adepoju and Dr. Chris Emeruwa in its speech said Thompson Oliha was a loyal, dedicated and respected player in his days with the national team.

It therefore urged the current players in the Super Eagles to learn from and emulate the loyalty and dedication of the Oliha when he played for the senior National Team.

Austin Eguaveon, who led the likes of Ben Iroha, Alloy Agu, Emeka Ezeogu and others, said it was regrettable that up till now the 23 members of the ‘94 squad who chose Lagos for their house promises were yet to get their promises from the Federal Government even when the remaining nine others had already received theirs in Abuja.

Eguaveon further said that he believed that one day the President, Jonathan Goodluck would have the wisdom of God to redeem the government’s promise.

When the Nigerian Flag and a football that carried the autograph of some members of the ‘94 squad were presented to the son of Thompson Oliha, Jesus Asosa Oliha by the Edo State commissioner for sports Omorede Osifo, the little Oliha stated his commitment to follow in his fathers steps.

Little Oliha who is in basic four at the High Bridge School, Lagos, said he is already captaining the junior team of the school.

He said he hopes that someday he will wear the green white green of Nigeria.

 •Moved out of family house

How Thompson Oliha died at Ilorin was yesterday revealed by his wife through David Aigboivo, the operational Director, Association of professional footballers.

Aigboivo said the wife called around 3.57am that her husband work up to use of the rest room when suddenly he screamed. She rushed in only to discover that he was down and no life in him any more.

Also, for fear of what may happen to the aged parents of late Thompson Oliha, if they get the news of the death of their son, Mr. and Mrs. Oliha, both aged between 70 to 90 years, were yesterday moved from Thompson house to another family home.

When the mother asked why they are been relocated, Thompson eldest brother said Thompson wanted to finish the renovation work in the house hence the need for relocation.

The four flats building owned by Thompson was gutted by fire three years ago is gradually been renovated by Thompson before he died on Sunday.

Family members who were in a close-door meeting when our reporter visited Thompson home refused to discuss anything with journalists but promised that when they returned from illorin, the media will be briefed appropriately.

Some of his close friends who do not want their names in print told SportingLife that Thompson problems were compounded from his excessive drinking and smoking without eating.

“You see my brother, family problems can also compound things for you. All this contributed to Thompson ‘wahala’ after his active days,” a friend said.

“When we played football match for Oshiomhole last year and another one in Warri, we did not allow him to play because of the condition. We don’t want somebody to die inside the pitch. So, my brother, I was not surprised when heard that it was heart failure. May his soul rest in peace.”