2 October 2008
Lagos — The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday expressed huge shock at the death of one-time Board Member of the body, Chief Femi Olukanmi, who passed away on Tuesday afternoon.
When told on the telephone that the Ibadan High Chief had departed this world the previous afternoon after an operation in the United Kingdom, NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi, incidentally in London to meet with players of the Super Eagles, moaned: "Ah, again! Just when we were planning for the burial of Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo?
"This is very sad. Chief Olukanmi was very close to the NFF even after he finished his tenure as Board Member. He always gave us useful advice. Oh my, we will miss him greatly. He was one of the true statesmen of our football."
NFF General Secretary, Honourable Bolaji Ojo-Oba, also in London, was equally stunned: "How did it happen? I mean, when did it happen? Just a few days ago, I was discussing with somebody that Baba is now closer to the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadan ? Why are we losing all the good and great people just like that?"
Information filtered out early in the morning that the Ibadan High Chief, who was at several times the Chairman of the Shooting Stars Football Club, the first Nigerian club to win a continental title, when it lifted the African Cup Winners Cup in 1976, had died. He was the Ekerin Olubadan, and was awaiting promotion to the third place in line (Ashipa) following the demise of Ibadan Strongman, Chief Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu.
Chief Olukanmi served as Board Member of the then Nigeria Football Association.
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