Prominent Nigerians, among them top government officials, royal fathers, top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, political bigwigs, leading figures in the ivory tower, philanthropists, religious leaders, retired civil servants, business moguls, former Nigeria international players, and community leaders were on Friday present at the Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Modakeke in Osun State, where the final burial rites of former Nigeria Coach and one-time NFF Technical Director, Chief Osuolale Bolarinwa Adegboye Onigbinde, took place.
It was an occasion of tribute after tribute for the departed tactician, who was the first indigenous coach to take Nigeria’s senior men’s team to the Final of the Africa Cup of Nations, and the first indigenous coach to lead the Super Eagles at the FIFA World Cup finals.
Priest after priest eulogised the Modakeke High Chief, who also once served as Technical Adviser of the Trinidad & Tobago Football Association and rose to the position of Technical Advisor of world football-governing body, FIFA.
Former Nigeria captain and coach, Augustine Eguavoen, who spoke on behalf of the NFF, confessed that the late Chief Onigbinde had a tremendous impact on his footballing career, and hailed the deceased as a pathfinder who boosted the stock of indigenous coach through his high level of intellect, his proficiency and his hard work in the coaching profession.
“The NFF recognises and appreciates the service of late Chief Onigbinde to our country. He was very energetic and rose to the pinnacle of the profession by dint of hard work, dedication and discipline. He was a towering figure in coaching globally.
“He was the first Nigerian to lead our Eagles to win silver medals at the Africa Cup of Nations, and also became the first Nigerian to lead them at the FIFA World Cup. Even after retirement, he continued to impact highly by serving as a resource person during NFF coaching programmes. His legacy is stout and impressive. The nation will miss him, but we pray for the repose of his soul and for God to comfort the family he has left behind and the Nigeria Football family as a whole.”
Former Nigeria captain and Member of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Dr Felix Owolabi, extolled Onigbinde’s knowledge of his field and lauded the man’s courage, mentorship capacity and integrity.
At the occasion as well were former NFF General Secretary, Ambassador Fanny Amun MON; NFF’s Director of Communications; Dr Ademola Olajire, former Nigeria captain Mutiu Adepoju; representatives of the Osun State government; royal fathers and; former international players as well as former players of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan.
The NFF supported the funeral programme financially with a donation to the family of Onigbinde.
