The final journey home of former Super Eagles, coach and FIFA Technical Director, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, begins today with a memorial lecture in his honour.
The lecture, titled “Coach Adegboye Onigbinde: Nigeria Football Coaches’ Pathfinder,” will be held at the Media Centre of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.
Former Green Eagles striker Dr Felix Owolabi and Dr Abiodun Salami are expected to serve as guest speakers.
The event, organised by the Celebration of Life Committee, the Onigbinde family, and football legends from Oyo and Osun states, is expected to attract sports stakeholders from across the country and beyond, including officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Oyo State Sports Council.
According to the programme coordinator, Femi Okenla, Oyo State Football Legends will face their Osun State counterparts in a memorial football match on Thursday at the Modakeke Stadium.
A Service of Songs will also be held on Thursday at the late coach’s residence in Itaasin, Modakeke, while a Memorial Evening of Stars and Tributes is scheduled for the same day at the Adegbola Events Centre.
The Thanksgiving Service will take place at St. Cathedral, Itaasin, Modakeke, after which the remains of the late football icon will be laid to rest.
Okenla, a former Chairman of the Oyo State Football Association, described the late Onigbinde as an extraordinary football tactician with immense knowledge of the game, noting that his death represents a huge loss to Nigerian football.
“He was an exceptional personality whose contributions to football development in Nigeria and beyond will never be forgotten. He will be greatly missed,” Okenla said.
