The family of late Chairman of Former Nigeria Football Federation Secretary General Taiwo Ogunjobi has released a statement saying the veteran Football administrator will be buried March 15, 2019.
Taiwo Ogunjobi
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has condoled with families and friends of late Former Secretary-General of Nigeria Football Federation Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, who passed away after a brief illness last Monday February 11.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Spokesman, Ademola Olajire, disclosed in a statement that FIFA sent a letter dated Feb. 19, 2019, and addressed to NFF President, Mr Amaju Pinnick.
“I would like to express my sincerest and heartfelt condolences on the passing of former Nigeria international player and administrator, Taiwo Ogunjobi.
“Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel for this loss.
“Taiwo had a fulfilling and enriching career in football.
“As a player, he will be remembered notably as the captain of the Shooting Stars FC team that reached the final of the Africa Cup of Champion Clubs in 1984.
“After his retirement, he served as Secretary-General of the NFF between 2002 and 2005, and was member of the NFF Executive Committee between 2006 and 2010.
“He also officiated as Match Commissioner for two 2010 World Cup Qualification Matches and was a Member of the NFF delegation participating in different FIFA competitions between 2002 and 2010.
“His legacy and achievement – on and off the pitch – will not be forgotten, and he will be truly missed.
“On behalf of the international football community, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the NFF and to Taiwo’s family, friends and loved ones.
“Our thoughts are with all of you. We hope that these memories and our words of support may help bring some peace and solace at this difficult time,’’’ the letter read in part.
The late Ogunjobi will be laid to rest on March 15th according to a press release issued by the family.
Remo Stars Football Club (RSFC) creative midfielder, Adebogun Omotayo has assured that he and his teammates will do everything possible to return to winning ways on Thursday.
The Sky Blue Stars will play their last home game at the Oshogbo Township Stadium, Osun State on Thursday as they welcome Kwara United in match day nine of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The Harmony Boys are unbeaten in their last two matches, After a goalless draw with Rivers United FC in Port-Harcourt and a slim victory Wikki Tourist of Bauchi on Sunday in Ilorin.
The host are yet to get a point in their last four games, with a lossesto Rivers United, Sunshine Stars FC, MFM FC and Enyimba FC in the process .
Kwara United FC are four points ahead of the Sky Blue Stars, withnine points in the last seven games played in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Thursday‘s encounter will be the first time the both sides will meet in any serious competition but the Harmony Boys edged out the Sky Blue Stars 2-1 last year during the Gold Cup Preseason Competition.
“It’s going to be a dicey game between our them and Kwara United FC but I am very optimistic that we will pick the maximum points .
“We will work hard get a win so as to climb up the league table and also as a respect to honour Osun State FA Chairman, Late Taiwo Ogunjobi because they welcomed us with good hands when we got here (Oshogbo) to play our home games against Katsina United and MFM FC.” Adebogun concluded.
The management of Gateway United FC of Ogun State has paid a condolence visit to the family of Late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi at his house at Kolapo Ishola estate, Akobo in Ibadan.
The management team led by the Acting General Manager Mr Niyi Soleye commiserated with the widow Bukola Ogunjobi and his brother Rotimi Ogunjobi.
In their tributes, they acknowledged the giant strides of the former Nigeria Football Federation scribe in the round leather game, stressing that his demise is a colossal loss not only to Nigeria but Africa at large.
Mr Soleye recalled with fond memories some of his achievements. “Taiwo was my childhood friend. He has left a path in Ogun State in terms of football and the least we could do is to extol his virtues. He will always be remembered. May God give us the fortitude to bear the loss”
Responding on behalf of the family, the brother of the deceased Rotimi Ogunjobi said the family will take solace in the fact that Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi lived a glorious life and passed away peacefully.
Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi passed away on Monday 11th of February, 2019 at the age of 65 at University College Hospital (UCH) after a brief illness.
Until his death, he was the chairman of Osun State Football Association.
The Chairman/CEO of Brila Media, Dr. Larry Izamoje has expressed deep sadness and shock over the passing of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, the former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association.
The League Management Company (LMC) has described the death of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi as a huge loss to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and the larger football family in the country.
In a tribute to the late football administrator, Shehu Dikko, the League Management Company Chairman said he had difficulties coming to terms with the news of Ogunjobi’s passing and described him as someone who has played a big role in the nation’s football as a player and an administrator.
Ogunjobi, a former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretary General was reported dead on Monday morning in Ibadan.
He played for the then IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, now Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), captaining the team to the finals of the 1984 Africa Champions League where they lost to Zamalek FC of Egypt.
“Chief Ogunjobi is one of the heroes of League football in Nigeria having captained IICC, a traditional club in our league system that stands today as an institution.
He also later led the club as an administrator to the CAF Champions League finals before rising to the pinnacle of football administration in the country as Secretary General of the NFF.” Dikko said
The LMC Chairman also announced that in honour of the fallen football hero, a minute silence would be observed before kick-off at all NPFL Match Day 9 fixtures on Wednesday while players and Coaches are also to wear black armbands as a mark of respect for the dead.
Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung said he’s shocked to receive the news of passing away of Former Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary on Monday.
Ogunjobi’s death was announced by his media aid Tunde Shamsudeen on Monday February 11, 2019, with Reports said he gave up the ghost at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Reacting to the shock news , Barrister Dalung in a statement described the Osun sate Football Association Boss as a good football administrator who gave his all for the good of the game in Nigeria.
“I’m shocked to hear of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi’s death. I saw him last year prior to the NFF elections. He came to personally inform me of his intent to contest the NFF presidential elections.
“He was a seasoned administrator and had contributed immensely to the development of football in Nigeria especially in his home state Osun.
“I commiserate with his immediate family members, the Osun State football Association and other football stakeholders who knew or worked with him. He has left an indelible mark and a vacuum in football administration in the country. May God grant his soul eternal rest and his family, the fortitude to bear this loss”.
Chief Ogunjobi served as Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation from 1996 to 2010 and captained the former IICC Shooting Stars now Shooting Stars with Segun Odegbami and Muda Lawal his teammates.