Late Samuel Okwaraji’s Mother Dies At 83

The mother of late Super Eagles midfielder Samuel Okwaraji has passed on at the age of 83.

The death of the matriarch was confirmed to newsmen by his eldest son, Patrick Okwaraji, on Monday.

Lady Okwaraji was the mother of late Samuel Okwaraji, an ace footballer and a patriotic Nigerian who collapsed and died while playing for the Super Eagles in a 1990 World Cup qualifier against Angola at the National Stadium in Lagos on August 12, 1989.

Samuel died at the age of 25 of congestive heart failure in the 77th minute of that game.

He was born on May 19, 1964 in Orlu, Imo state, and was a qualified lawyer who had a Masters in International Law from the University of Rome, Italy.

Meanwhile, the eldest son said that no date had been scheduled for the burial.
He said he would meet with other members of his family in Umudioka, in the Orlu Local Government Area of Imo, for further arrangements.

Patrick Okwaraji said a letter had been sent to the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, as well as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to inform them of the development.

Mrs Janet Okwaraji was a retired teacher, a school proprietress and a devout Christian.

Recall that Dare recently visited the Okwaraji matriarch during which he gave her gifts and placed her on a monthly allowance as part of Federal Government’s efforts at reducing her pains.