FADEYI TOLULOPE AYOBAMI
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has declared that reviving school football competitions across the country would be the most fitting way to immortalise late Green Eagles legend, Henry Nwosu.
Dikko remarked while receiving members of Nwosu’s family, representatives of Imo State Concerned Sports Stakeholders, and members of the burial committee at his office inside the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Reflecting on his relationship with the late 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Dikko described Nwosu as one of the most exciting footballers of his generation.
His words, “Henry Nwosu MON started playing for the national team at a very young age. The history of school sports, particularly the Principals Cup will not be complete without his name. At that very young age he featured for Nigeria at the AFCON in 1980. He is an example to every aspiring young athlete that it is possible to get to the highest level. His success also encourages us now at the Commission, well aware that there are a lot of talented athletes at the grassroots level and the schools. Indeed, our work in this respect is being validated with the number of school athletes now representing Nigeria at the highest levels.”
Dikko further stated that Nwosu should be immortalised along the line of his exploits, not just for the national team, but particularly in school sports.
“At the Federal level and in conjunction with the Imo State Government, something should be captured to make sure that his name is engraved in our school’s sports history. For instance, a school’s sports tournament should be named after him. It is a huge loss for the nation, and we will do all we can to ensure that his labours are not forgotten,” he assured.
Dikko further pledged that the commission would support all activities lined up for the burial of the late football icon and will collaborate with the Imo State Government to ensure the late winger receives a befitting honour for his contributions to Nigerian football after consultations with key stakeholders, including the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Earlier, Nwosu’s eldest sister, Mrs Ijeoma Onyewuchi, expressed deep grief over the death of her brother, describing him as the only son among four children whose absence would be greatly felt by the family.
She noted that the former international’s outstanding contributions helped raise the standard of football in Nigeria and appealed to the NSC to support the family in organising a successful burial ceremony.
In a formal proposal presented to the NSC Chairman, the leader of Imo State Concerned Sports Stakeholders, Dr. Geoffrey Ogu, praised Nwosu’s discipline, dedication and immense contributions to the growth of football in the country. He appealed to the commission to ensure the football legend is immortalised and accorded a state burial.
According to Ogu, granting Nwosu a state burial would determine the level of honours, funding and participation by both the Federal and Imo State Governments.
He also called for adequate security arrangements during the burial, approval for the use of national symbols such as draping the casket with the national flag, recitation of the national anthem and observance of a minute of silence in honour of the late football hero.
Ogu also urged both the Federal Government and the Imo State Government to immortalise Nwosu through football programmes and projects aimed at inspiring young talents to serve the country with dedication.
Henry Nwosu died on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the age of 62. He is expected to be buried on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at his hometown, Naze, in Imo State with several activities lined up.
