Late Chief Okeahalam laid to rest as Ex Iwuanyanwu Nat’l, Sports Men pay last respect
The remains of the Legendary sports administrator and a stake of Heartland Football club of Owerri Chief Ignatius Okeahialam (Araba chocho) has finally been laid to rest at his home town after sports men paid him the last respect with a Novelty match at the Dan Anyiam Stadium amidst the presence of sports fans, the Statesman Newspaper sports desk can exclusively report.
The Novelty match between Ex Iwuanyanwu Nationale and Heartland Fc team ended in a stalemate after which members of Ex Iwuanyanwu Nationale , other football administrators and fans alike paid their last respect as they bid him farewell to the other side.
In an exclusive Interview with the second son who spoke on behalf of the Okeahialam family said;
“We expected a longer life considering what he achieved and this is the time when his children has started getting married and are now having children.
He made good efforts to see all of us well placed in life today and this is the time when he is supposed to relax and start enjoying the fruit of his labour but we won’t blame God instead we will thank him for a life well spent and he has made a mark in people’s life. He will continue to exist in our lives after making a mark in our lives. “ He concluded.
The President Ex Iwuanyanwu Nationale world wide Mr Isaac Mbika also extolled the departed sports administrator.
“We lost an Icon, he is a great man and and the loss is a big one for Imo sports. He will be remembered for a lot of things, his passion for the club, he will be remembered for his fatherly love.
He was the chairman of Iwuanyanwu for close to 20 years so we will make plans with the family to Immortalize him.” Mbika told Statesman newspaper.
General manager of Heartland football club Mr Promise Nwachukwu also added his voice to the fray;
“Death is inevitable and we can’t question God. One day all of us will go too but the most important thing is that Chief Okeahialam left a good legacy before leaving.
I will remember him as a bad loser, he doesn’t like to lose, he always likes to win. When ever he wins, you see his actions.
“When i came on board as an assistant team manager, i told the Governor then (Ohakim) that I would like to learn from Okeahialam. He was a good mentor and because I understudied him well, i won about 5 trophies.
“He thought me the football politics and i will be greatfull to him. “ Nwachukwu said.
Heartland FC gaffer Coach Christian Obi also gave the statesman newspaper correspondent audience ;
“I worked with him briefly and when i came back as a coach, that was when i met Okeahialam. The brief time I spent with him, I understand that he is a simple man to deal with. He will always keep to his promises.
“I also noticed that he has passion for football, he can spend his last money just to make sure everything is in order.
So that’s why it is great loss. From him i learnt how to sacrifice and that thing i buried it in me.” Coach Obi said.
Late chief Ignatius died at the age of 72 years and was laid to rest at his home town in Mbaise on the 5th of April.
