Delta and Edo Communities Battle over Keshi’s Resting Place

Although a burial date is yet to be set for the burial of late Stephen Keshi, Nigeria’s historic coach and captain, there appears to be a tug of war between his family and that of his late wife’s over the final resting place for the great man.

According to  reports via Vanguard Newspapers, the Onyeogu Family Union, Ukpologwu Illah, Delta State recently stated that the remains of the late former national team coach will be buried at his ancestral home in Illah.

In a terse letter to the family of late wife of Stephen Keshi, the Aburime Family, the union frowned at suggestions that the former Super Eagles skipper would be buried in Benin.

In the letter the Union said, “The issue that has caused us much anxiety is the proposal by the Aburime Family that they wish their in-law, our son, to be buried in Benin. “As it is in Delta State, Edo State including the Ewu Kingdom and indeed Nigeria, most men are buried in their hometown on their demise. “We wish to reiterate our demand as earlier stated at the meeting of 17th June, that our son Steven Okechukwu Keshi be buried at his house in his hometown Ogbe Onyeogu Ukpologwu Illah in line with his last wish before his demise. And this we must state is in conformity with Illah tradition, the Ewu tradition and the Chieftaincy institution which he willingly subscribed to during his lifetime,” the Ogbe Onyeogu family stated.

“We believe that an issue of this nature needs no further elaboration as it is customary in Nigeria that most persons, particularly high profile personalities are buried in their hometown, to do the otherwise may portend some consequences in future going by the Illah culture and tradition. The recent internment of his colleague and friend , Shuaibu Amodu in Okpella, Edo State is a leading example,” the union stated.

The federal government has recently set up a burial committee for Keshi.