Sam Okwaraji’s mother dies at 83

Sam Okwaraji

Lady Janet, mother of late Green Eagles striker, Samuel Okwaraji, has passed on aged 83.

Her eldest son, Patrick, confirmed the news to The Nation on Sunday, saying she died a few weeks ago.

The deceased had in May received the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, who visited her with gifts from the government.

Okwaraji collapsed and died at the age of 25 in the 77th minute of a World Cup qualification match against Angola at the National Stadium in Lagos on August 12, 1989.

No date has been fixed for Janet’s burial.

However, the family has sent a letter to the sports minister and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to inform them on the incident.

Lady Janet was a school proprietress in Enugu State.

In May, the sports ministry and the NFF announced they had placed her on N10,000 and N30,000 monthly stipends respectively.

Sikiratu Yekini, mother of late Super Eagles striker, Rashidi Yekini, was placed on similar arrangement.