Abubakar: Dikko, Ladipo, club owners, others express shock

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More condolence messages have poured in following the murder on Wednesday of NFF’s Head of Protocol, Ibrahim Abubakar.
Abubakar was killed by unknown gunmen in his house in Kado Estate, Gwarinpa, Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday, and buried in Kaduna the same day according to Islamic rites.
NFF 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko, who was at the NFF Secretariat on Thursday morning, described the late Abubakar as an epitome of energy and resourcefulness.
“He was a very dedicated officer who did his job with all his energy. The NFF will miss him greatly,” Dikko stated.

“This is a tragic incident that troubles the mind greatly. ‘Ibro’was such a gentleman, so easy –going that one continues to wonder who he could have offended.

“It is heart-breaking anytime I think about it. May his soul rest in peace,” NFF Executive Committee member, Barr. Chris Green, said on Thursday.

Another NFF Executive Committee member, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, also wondered how the meek and hardworking Abubakar could have offended anyone.

“The news of the death of Ibrahim Abubakar is devastating. This is one person I know who never shied away from any work, never shirked any responsibility and did his job day and night with gusto.

“I am very disturbed at the nature of his death. I pray that nothing of such happens again in Nigeria football,” said Chief Anyansi-Agwu.

Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi, yet another member of the NFF Executive Committee, lamented the slain of the diligent officer.

“It is most unfortunate. The death of Ibrahim Abubakar, and the nature of death, is a tragedy. I have known the young man for sometime now and I have always known him to be a gentleman.

“It is a very sad situation. I pray for the repose of his gentle soul,” said Otunba Dele-Ajayi.

The Board of the Football Association of the Federal Capital Territory, led by the chairman, Alh. Musa Talle, also paid a condolence visit to the NFF Secretariat on Thursday. Talle, in company with vice chairman, Mr. Patrick Ngwaogu, was received by the NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme.

“We have come to express our grief over the death of Mr. Ibrahim Abubakar. It was a most unfortunate incident. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest,” said Talle.

A former NFF Assistant General Secretary (Technical), Mr. James Peters, said: “This is very, very sad. We pray for the repose of late Ibrahim’s soul.”

On Wednesday, President-General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo, was stunned when he learnt of Abubakar’s murder. “What happened? Why would anyone want to kill such a hardworking and unassuming gentleman?

“I earnestly pray for the repose of his soul, and pray that we never witness such again in Nigeria football.”
Also, the Association of Nigeria Premier League Club Chairmen and Managers (Club Owners) have sent a message of condolence to the President, Board, Congress, Management and Staff of NFF over the death of its head of Protocol Department, Malam Ibrahim Abubakar .
Club owners, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday after its executive ‎meeting, which was jointly signed by the Ag. Chairman, Isaac Danladi and the Ag. Secretary, Alloy Chukwuemeka, described the murder of the Kaduna born political scientist cum football administrator as shocking and a great loss to the football family.
The Association added that the late Abubakar was one of the best and finest staff in the Nigerian football house, owing to his hardworking, good inter personal relationship and contact- network, mostly with the relevant bodies and individuals in the general sports and non sports sectors.
The club owners called on security agencies to rise to the challenge posed by his death and ensure that the killers were apprehended and brought to book.
They prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for God to grant his wife, children, family, colleagues, friends and the football community the fortitude to bear his untimely exit.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba and NFF 1st Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi, were also at the NFF Secretariat on Thursday to pay tributes.
Ogba, a one –time Acting Vice President of the NFF and also a club financier, said: “Death is a necessary end, and it is a debt that each and everyone of us must pay. But it is very painful that such a jovial, ebullient young man like ‘Ibro’ should go that way.
“On behalf of the President of the Senate and the Sports Committee of the Senate, I commiserate with you on this unfortunate incident. We pray that God will grant his family and the NFF the fortitude to bear the loss, and to sustain his wife and children. God tells us that in every situation, we should give thanks. What I know for sure is that the perpetrators of this dastard act shall not go unpunished.”

Responding, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi thanked Ogba for the call and assured that the NFF will continue to work harmoniously with the Senate Committee on Sports to take Nigeria football to new heights. He praised Ogba’s contributions to Nigeria football development, both as a former NFF Board Member and as a club financier.

NFF 1st Vice President Akinwunmi, who returned to the country from an overseas trip on Wednesday evening, said the late Abubakar was a dedicated member of staff.

“I was rooted to the aircraft seat after switching on my phone and the message of his killing was the first one that came on. It is devastating, to say the least. I pray that God Almighty will give him eternal rest and also grant his family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students also came to the Glass House to mourn with the NFF leadership on the death of Ibrahim Abubakar.

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