The children of the late Stephen Keshi are expected to arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday from Atlanta, Georgia, the United States (U.S.) in preparation for the burial of the soccer legend.
The former Super Eagles captain and head coach died last week and his body has since been deposited at the Faith Mediplex, a privately-owned mortuary facility in Benin City, Edo State.
“We are expecting his children to come home midweek to inform us of their own plans for their father’s burial,” the family source said.
“We’re aware that so many government personalities want to play roles in seeing that the former captain and coach gets a befitting burial.”
Keshi died at the age of 54, six months after his wife Kate passed on.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Assembly on Tuesday resolved to send a delegate to be led by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth and Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba, to condole with the Keshi family and the government and people of Delta State.
Also, it was gathered on Tuesday that Keshi may be buried on July 28.
His elder brother and spokesperson for the family, Sylvester Keshi, said on Tuesday in Illah, Delta State that the family had commenced preparations for the burial.
“For now, we are proposing July 28 for the burial, although we are still awaiting the constitution of the burial committee being planned by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
“Presently, we are planning ahead for Stephen’s burial. We are still meeting, consulting and making preparations to give our son a befitting burial.
“I came in yesterday (Monday) from Lagos, and we are making preparations to carry out renovation work on his family house here in Illah, so as to give it a befitting look,” Keshi said.
He said the NFF and the Sports Ministry are planning a burial committee, which would be constituted soonest in collaboration with the Keshi family to kick start burial activities proper.
Keshi stated that a representative of the family, Mr. Emma Ado held several meetings with the NFF and that a letter had been sent to the Sport Ministry on burial plans for the former national team coach.
“Our person, Mr. Emma Ado, who has been Stephen Keshi’s agent, has been liaising with the football house and letters have been dispatched in respect of the burial.
“Just yesterday, they had a meeting in Abuja and I learnt that the Sports Minister has given a directive for the constitution of the burial committee.
“So, I want to believe that in the comings days, we will have a burial committee to work with because it is not just a family burial, the government is involved too,” he said.
He said the Delta and Edo governments have indicated interest to be part of the burial, adding that the full details of the burial programme would be made public as soon as the committee was constituted.
He said: “For now, the family has not received any contribution from anybody or organisation for the burial. People are just indicating interest to be part of the burial. We are still consulting,” he said.
Keshi disclosed that contrary to speculations, the late footballer would be buried in his hometown, Illah.
He said Keshi, who buried his wife last December in Benin, had confided in his family that he should be buried in his ancestral family home in Ukpologwu quarters in Illah community, Oshimili North local government area of Delta State.
“Before his death, Stephen had told his children and close family members that he should be buried in Illah when he dies. He is a son of the soil, so his wish stands,” he said.
