Ambassador Chris Giwa
By Raphael Ekpang
The former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, and Proprietor of Giwa FC, Amb. Chris Giwa has condoled with the football family and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (FCT SWAN) for the untimely demise of both Ben Agarry, Tolu Abe and Hycienth Umeh, whom he described as fine gentlemen and very conscientious people.
Amb. Giwa in his tribute to Agarry said: “ I have known Agarry since his days in Jos as a friendly, reliable, and hardworking individual, who was uncompromising with his convictions,” stressing that “the short time I worked with him at the NFF, Agarry manifested all these virtues that endeared him to many in the struggle.”
“The football family will surely miss Agarry, who played and administered the game, given his passion for the game, his doggedness to see the administration of football impact positively on the lives of the majority of stakeholders in the country. Tolu’s death was another sad news that shook me because he was one of the very dedicated and committed staff I met at the NFF during my stay on the board.” he concluded.
Amb. Giwa also commensurate with the FCT SWAN on the death of one of its members, Hycienth Umeh, whom he described as a fine professional. “Hycienth was one of those sports journalists you love to encounter because of the way he carried himself and paid so much attention to his work.”
“This sad event once again reminds me of the pain we all experienced when the shocking news of the demise of Jide Fashikun was broken to me. This is surely one death too many, and I pray to the Almighty God to protect the sporting family, especially the FCT SWAN, the NFF and the football family in general .“
“ It is painful that we are still mourning Agarry, Abe and Hycienth when I also heard of the loss of 1992 AFCON bronze medalist, Ajibade Babalade on Friday, September 4, 2020 at a youthful age of 48 in Ibadan. May the good Lord comfort the families, friends and colleagues they left behind and grant the dead peaceful rest.”
Meanwhile, the remains of former NFA Board member, Agarry and former Financial Secretary of FCT SWAN, Umeh have been committed to mother earth amidst tears from relations and friends.
While Agarry, former FCT FA Chairman, was buried in his home town, Uzere in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Umeh was laid to rest at Amizi Village, Awomukwu Town in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.
Speaking at the funeral of Agarry, the General Overseer of Charismatic Renewal Ministry, Pastor Cosmos Ilechukwu enjoined Christians to endeavour to live right and serve humanity, while stressing that those who are dead can only be remembered by their good deeds while on earth and not by their wealth.”
Ilechukwu advised Christians to order their footsteps and make peace with God pointing out ‘To live with Christ is to die in gain, because there is a better place after this earthly life.’
Meanwhile, Agarry, a former player with NIPOST Jos, died on August 17 in Gwagwalada, Abuja after a brief illness, Abe , Head of ICT NFF died Saturday, August 29, Umeh, a former staff of African Independent Television, and Silverbird Television, died on August 27 from Kidney complications in Abuja, while Babalade died of cardiac arrest in Ibadan
