Name National Stadium after Okwaraji – Family

AUGUST 11, 2014 BY AGENCY REPORTER 18 COMMENTS
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Twenty five years after he died playing for Nigeria at the National Stadium in Lagos, the family of Sam Okwaraji would wish the arena is named after the fallen football star.

A bust of Okwaraji at the entrance of the National Stadium Lagos is the only reminder of how Okwaraji at the age of 24 died on August 12, 1989, while playing for the Super Eagles in a 1990 World Cup qualifier against Angola.

Okwaraji’s brother, Patrick Okwaraji, told AfricanFootball.com his family is disappointed the football star has yet to be immortalised by the country he died for.

“The Okwarajis will want the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, where Sam took his last breath, to be renamed after him,” Patrick Okwaraji said.

“This is not too much to do for a man who gave all to his country and died doing so.

“Okwaraji died while in active service for Nigeria, we are therefore calling on the authorities to immortalise Samuel Okwaraji, a man whose life and legacies have continued to inspire and motivate our people.

“Nigeria should learn and start to celebrate our true heroes so as to encourage, inspire and motivate our people.

http://www.punchng.com/sports/name-national-stadium-after-okwaraji-family/

Pix below are the ruins of Sam Okwaraji Stadium in Orlu, Imo state.The stadium was commissioned by OBJ in May 2007, and hosted international and FIFA-organized events during the administration of Ikedi Ohakim.
Since 2011, with Rochas Okorocha as governor, the stadium has remained impracticable, with no substitute stadium in the second most populated city in Imo state.

Make them manage that orlu own like that; nigeria nor de honor legends and heroes.
Btw, Rashidi Yekini is yet to be immortalized.

left to me National stadium Lagos should be sold or demolished and should to build low cost housing. it has not been used in years.

What about the 90+ fans that died on that day? I agree with manuch, That site need to be sold off.. its decaying by the day

IMHO, Im always against naming National (iconic) structures with some so-called "National heroes". No disrespect meant to the Okwaraji family pls.