The burial committee set up to ensure the smooth passage of the late Super Falcons chief coach, Jossy Lad has cried foul over the paucity of funds in their assignment to bury the Nigerian football icon.
For the burial which has been fixed for June 13 and 14 in Ibadan, the burial committee headed by a former team mate of Jossy Lad, Elder Eddy Ayoola, has cried out that, with less than 72 hours to the burial, the only thing they have visible is the casket which was bought by Jossy Lad’s family, while funds needed to execute most of the programmes lined up for a suitable burial is not yet available.
Other members of the burial committee include Dr. Felix Owolabi, Dr. Steve Olarinoye, Rafiu Salami, Pastor Solomon Oni, Tunji Ladipo, son of the deceased, Chief Adewolu Ayinla, who is in-charge of security and protocol and Femi Okenla.
The committee members said there had been failed promises from expected financiers.
Also funds expected from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is doubtful considering the busy schedule of the football house this month.
The former IICC Shooting Stars chairman would be buried on the day the Super Eagles will start their in FIFA Confederations Cup in far away Brazil.
A member of the committee who craved for anonymity informed that the Oyo State Ministry of Youths and Sports has been working so hard to make sure we have the funds ready for the burial. The Permanent Secretary has been in touch with the committee saying the file for the release of funds has reached the final stage and it would be released soon, “but the question is how soon?”, he queried.
“I must confess to you that the family alone cannot shoulder the burial responsibilities. Jossy Lad was the bread winner of his family before his death; he lived and died in his uncompleted building due to the fact that he had to take care of his family and the extended ones. His children despite being University graduates had no tangible means of livelihood,” the source added.
If there is no good news before the committee that would be meeting Tuesday, there is a likelihood that the burial may be postponed the event in order to give the late coach a befitting burial.
The committee in a programme released two weeks ago planned to commence Jossy Lad’s burial rites on June 13 with a football match between 3SC and Talented FC and a lying-in-state at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium.
