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It was an emotionally charged moment for the leadership and members of the Nigeria Football Referees Association, NFRA, in Bauchi as the National Executive Committee and other members of the association met with the family.
The event was the three-day Fidau prayer for the late president who died in the early hours of Monday.
Some of the umpires who were present in Bauchi since the death was announced on Monday were joined by members of the National Executive Committee led by the Vice President, Sir Kelechi Mejuobi.
Speaking at the meeting with the family after expressing condolences on behalf of the association, Sir Mejuobi informed the family that while they feel the pain of Zubairu’s untimely exit, the umpires’ body for which he was responsible before death took him away is in deep mourning mood and feels the void created by his death.
According to the Vice President, the late FIFA Sani Zubairu lived his life catering to the welfare of Nigerian referees. “He was for referees and everything about him was for refereeing; that is why we are still in tears. He has left an impeccable impact in the growth of our noble association having served in various capacities for the NFRA and the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF.
“The late FIFA Sani Zubairu was a leader of immense repute, team player and people’s manager. Anyone who crossed paths with him during his lifetime had good news about his personality. Very detribalised, God fearing and knows no religious or other sect. He treated all referees as equals.”
Mejuobi added that the association is developing procedures to immortalize the name of not only the late president but also other former NFRA presidents whose contributions led to the growth and progress of the association.
“Our late President was a good man before death came. We will continue to miss him, but we are planning to institute measures that will make us remember him. We cannot help but find a way to keep his name reverberating in our minds because of his contribution to a better refereeing climate in our country. We will immortalize his name. The NFRA, as usual, will continue to maintain a cordial relationship with the Sani Zubairu family and that of our departed heroes,” he added Mejuobi.
A family spokesperson and the late president’s younger brother, Dr Umar Wada Sani, thanked members of the association for their support and solidarity before, during and after his demise, adding that the family appreciates the presence of NFRA members who were present since Monday. He prayed for mercy on everyone’s journey back to their various destinations.
Apart from the Vice President, Sir Mejuobi, former President, Alhaji Ahmed Maude, Vice President 1, Engr Emma Imiere, Vice President 2 Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Fagge, Dr Suleiman Omezia and Colonel Nicholas Achikasim, Secretary and Deputy Secretary General respectively were present for the event where prayers were offered for the soul of the late Zubairu.
Also present were Dr Anirou Shantali, Deputy National Education Officer, Muhammad Isa, National Treasurer and Sani Gusau, National Auditor.
Not excluded were the North West and North East zonal coordinators, Mallam Nasser Ibrahim and Queen Hauwa respectively, Council of States officials from Borno, Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Gombe, Niger and the FCT.
