10 YEARS AFTER DEATH, STEPHEN KESHI TO BE HONOURED ON NIIA SPORTS DIPLOMACY WALL OF FAME
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Ten years after his passing, former Super Eagles captain and coach Stephen Keshi is set to be immortalised on the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Nigerian football and sports diplomacy.
The announcement was made by former Super Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami, during a memorial lecture held in honour of the late football icon in Lagos.
Keshi’s name will be officially unveiled on the monument on July 28, one day before the 10th anniversary of his burial.
The NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame, a national monument established by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, honours Nigerians whose achievements in sports have significantly advanced Nigeria’s international image and diplomatic interests.
Speaking at the event, Odegbami described Keshi as a deserving recipient whose impact extended beyond football into national representation and international relations.
“The existing list will now be extended to include the name of former Nigerian Green Eagles captain and national team coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, CON. He has been considered worthy, and his contributions identified, justified and approved by the NIIA,” he said.
Odegbami highlighted Keshi’s remarkable career, noting that he captained Nigeria’s national team, led the Super Eagles to continental success as a coach, and guided Togo to their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.
He also credited Keshi for helping pave the way for generations of African footballers transitioning into professional football in Europe.
Fondly known as “Big Boss,” Keshi remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated football figures. He led the Super Eagles to victory at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations as captain and repeated the feat as coach in 2013.
He also guided Nigeria to qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and earned CAF Coach of the Year honours in 2005 and 2013.
Keshi died on June 7, 2016, at the age of 54 in Benin City, Edo State, and was laid to rest in his hometown of Illah, Delta State.
The July ceremony will also commemorate three years since the establishment of the Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame at the NIIA premises in Lagos, supported by Dr Allen Onyema and Air Peace.
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