Broken promises as Kwara State, NFF fail to honour commitments

As the world commemorates the 60th posthumous birthday of Rashidi Yekini, one of Nigeria and Africa’s greatest footballers, the unfulfilled promises to immortalise “the Goalsfather” continue to be a source of deep disappointment.

Particularly perplexing is how both the former and current governors of Kwara State, Yekini’s hometown, failed to honour their commitment to name a stadium in Ilorin after one of the state’s most distinguished sons.

Yekini passed away in May 2012, just one year after Abdulfatah Ahmed assumed the role of Governor in the Harmony State.

While Mr Abdulfatah did not fulfil his pledge during his two terms in office, his successor, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, raised hopes in 2020 by announcing plans to immortalize the late Yekini by naming a stadium after the football legend.

Governor AbdulRazaq made this announcement during a meeting with the former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, in Abuja.

He claimed progress had been made in renaming the Kwara State Sports Complex Stadium in Ilorin after Yekini.

“We will send a bill to the State House of Assembly to immortalise Rashidi Yekini with the stadium’s name change after approval,” the governor had stated in a press release.

Regrettably, three years later, the waiting game continues and the stadium name change remains a mirage.

In an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Yekini’s lawyer during his lifetime, Jubril Olanrewaju, expressed his frustration, stating, “I will say we are still on ground zero; we have not even made an inch outside that speech and promise, nothing has been done.”

Mind-boggling

Mr Jubril found it challenging to comprehend why the Kwara State government has struggled to fulfil its commitment to Yekini while readily naming institutions and public properties after politicians who often enriched themselves with state funds.

“It doesn’t matter that Yekini was not based in Kwara; many Nigerians outside the country are celebrated for projecting the nation in a positive light. People don’t necessarily have to stay in their states; the most important thing is to be good ambassadors wherever you find yourselves,” he stressed.

He continued: “This actually beats me because he (Yekini) has never denied he was from Kwara State and he has never denied of not being proud of his state, he has a house in Kwara, his parents stayed here and if not for anything, he came regularly to see his mum and siblings until his death”.

According to Mr Jubril, at all times, Yekini maintained strong ties to Kwara State and even donated a trophy for the YSFON Cup in the state and sponsored it.

“Yes, I am from Kwara State, that was one of the fundamental reasons why he was endeared to me, he is always proud to associate with people from his state,” the barrister noted.

While several legendary figures like Stephen Keshi, Samson Siasia, and Muda Lawal have stadia named after them, Jubril emphasised that Kwara has no reason not to do the same for Yekini.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Kwara State government have proven futile. A written question sent to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaiye, has remained unanswered at the time of filing this report.

In addition to the Kwara State government, Mr Jubril pointed out that the promise by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to host a tournament in memory of Yekini has not been realised, despite the initial announcement during the eighth-day prayers for the late football legend.

Aminu Maigari, former President of the NFF, had stated that a U-15 national championship would be named after Yekini, and a memorial match would be played in Ilorin, with proceeds directed to the family.

Though the NFF down the years has been staging U-13/U15 tournaments, they have not been named after Yekini.

As the months and years pass with these unfulfilled promises, Mr Jubril emphasised the need for collective efforts to ensure that Yekini’s legacy is celebrated.

Big wish

He said resting the number 9 jersey from the national team in memory of Yekini is not too much to be done.

He said Yekini’s legacy is not just about his goalscoring record. He was also a role model for many young Nigerian footballers.

“He showed that it was possible to achieve success on the world stage, despite coming from humble beginnings.”