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The funeral of the Nigerian football icon Peter Rufai in Lagos Thursday raised strong criticisms for the absence of high officials of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC).
Rufai, called “Dodo Mayana” affection, was the goalkeeper of the first choice of Nigeria in the 90s.
He played a fundamental role in the 1994 Super Eagles Triumph Africa of Nations and represented the country in two FIFA World Cups.
Freedomonline reports that the former goalkeeper has started his career with the Lagos stationery shops before periods in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
After retirement, he dedicated himself to the development of youth football and occasionally lent support to national youth teams.
Despite his contributions to Nigerian football, no Senior Nff or NSC representative has participated in key commemorative events, including the service of songs and lying in the state held at the Onikan stadium.
The observers described their absence as disappointing and disrespectful for the legacy of Rufai and the history of the football of the nation.
The former president of Lagos Fa, Waidi Akanni, said: “His service to the country deserved more than a control and a silence of 3 million 3 million”.
Etim Esin, a former super Eagles midfielder, said in the same way that “no top footballer will trust this system if we continue to treat legends in this way”.
But Nff defended his role, saying that he formally communicated the condolences and provided financial support to the Rufai family.
The Director of Communications of NFF, Ademola Olajire, said: “A delegation was sent and approved the support”.
Olajire explained that previous logistics and commitments prevented the president of Nff Ibrahim Gusau from attending personally.
However, the interested parties argued that the physical presence of the best football administrators was crucial to honor a player of the caliber of Rufai.
They said that his contribution to the history of football in Nigeria did not deserve anything less.
“The symbolism of showing issues,” said former defender Taribo West. “This was a missed opportunity to honor a national hero.”
In addition to the funeral, the interested parties highlighted the lack of structured well -being for retired athletes in Nigeria.
They asked for a gestured welfare fund professionally supported by Nff, club, private sponsors and association of professional players from Nigeria (Pfan).
“The well -being of the players should be sanctioned in a permanent agreement, not subject to charity,” said the president of the Pfan, Tijani Babangida.
Critics claim that FIFA and CAF subsidies earned through players’ efforts should finance retirement and welfare programs.
“This is not a favor. It is their right,” said Harrison Jalla, president of the board of directors of the Pfan. “What we miss is the leadership to implement it.”
The 3 million 3 million provided to the families of Rufai and the former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu were widely considered inadequate, given the financial resources available for the NFF.
In the meantime, according to reports, the government of the Lagos state has approved ₦ 15 million support for Rufai’s family, although the release of the funds has been delayed due to bureaucratic chokes.
In the wake of the dispute, the interested parties urged the unit between the players and asked for reforms through a collective bargaining agreement with the NFF and NSC.
They noticed that only structured wellness measures could guarantee the dignity of the heroes of past football and present.
According to Jalla, “The time for the reform is now.
“We must honor our past and protect the future of Nigerian football,” he added.
