NFF, Ex-Eagles Mourn Oyarekhua, Ben Alaiya
The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed shock and sadness over the death on Monday of former Nigeria international striker Sunny Oyarekhua.
Oyarekhua, who retired as an Assistant Commissioner of Police, was top scorer of the men’s football event of the 2nd All-Africa Games that Nigeria hosted in 1973, as the Green Eagles won the gold medal after a 2-0 win over Guinea in the Final.
He featured for the Senior Men National Team between 1971 – 1975 and was known for his marksmanship in front of goal.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said: “Oyarekhua was a quintessential poacher, and also contributed his bit to the administration of the game. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also grant those he has left behind the fortitude to bear the big loss.”
The retired police officer was also a Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation between 1999-2002, during the presidency of Brigadier-General Dominic Oneya, who passed on early August.
Oyarekhua’s death comes just a month after that of another former Nigeria international striker, Thompson Usiyen who died in the United States of America.
The NFF has also expressed shock and sorrow over the passing on Tuesday night of leading journalist and former Media Officer of the Super Eagles, Benjamin Alaiya.
Alaiya, Media Officer of the Super Eagles between November 2011 and February 2015, was reported to have died in his hometown, Ososo, Edo State after a brief illness.
“Ben worked very hard in his role as Super Eagles’ media officer and was always a jolly good fellow. He was very professional and dedicated. This is quite sad. Our hearts go out to his young wife and the children. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also give the family and other loved ones he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss. It is devastating,” Sanusi said.
Ike Shorunmu, a former Super Eagles number one goalkeeper, on Wednesday, described the death of Ben Alaiya as sad.
Shorunmu also described the deceased as a professional journalist worthy of emulation.
“It is so painful that we have to say goodbye to Alaiya now, he was a thorough breed, a professional per excellence, and he was particular about the image of the team during his time.
“He was a team player, I pray God grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and grant him eternal rest,” Shorunmu said.
Also, Waidi Akanni, an ex-international, described the deceased as a gentleman, who did his job diligently during his time as the spokesperson for Super Eagles.
“It is just sad, he was someone one can talk to and be sure that he’d get whatever you want done, it is sad that we lost him.
“I pray God consoles his loved ones and may his soul rest in peace,” Akanni said.
Born in Ososo, Edo on Dec. 9, 1968, Alaiya was a graduate of English Language from the prestigious University of Lagos.
He also earned a postgraduate diploma in Mass Communication from the Nigeria Institute of Journalism.
He was the Chief Executive Officer/Editor-In-Chief of Sports Day Newspapers and one-time Sports Editor of Independent Newspapers, publishers of Daily, Saturday and Sunday Independent titles.
