The family of Nigeria’s first member of the FIFA Executive Committee and a former Secretary General of then Nigeria Football Association, late Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo, at the weekend honoured the former football administrator of repute in his hometown of Calabar, Cross River State.
The occasion, with the support of the Nigeria Football Federation, fell on the very day that the honorary Life Vice President of the Confederation of African Football would have turned 100 years old if he were alive.
Tagged ‘Posthumous Centenary Birthday/Immortalization of Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo (Mr Football)’, the day’s programme started with a memorial service at the Duke Town Presbyterian Church, Eyamba Street, Calabar at 10am, with the train to immediately after, moved to the unveiling ceremony of the tombstone.
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The launching of a book containing the essays of the late sage on Nigeria football and Nigeria sports, in general, was held after the unveiling of the tombstone.
The late Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo was the longest-serving Secretary-General of then NFA, was the first Nigerian ever to be elected into the CAF Executive Committee (1972-1998) and also the first Nigerian ever to be elected into the FIFA Executive Committee (now FIFA Council) where he served between 1980 and 1988.
He was also the first Nigerian to be made honorary Life Vice President of CAF, and was awarded the FIFA Order of Merit in Gold at a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland in the year 2000.
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