"Immortalise Rashidi Yekini" - Etim Esin, Lawyer, SWAN Tell Govt

"Immortalise Rashidi Yekini" - Etim Esin, Lawyer, SWAN Tell Govt

By Niyi Busari

The former Super Eagles attacker, Etim Esin, lawyer to late Rashidi Yekini and Kwara chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), have renewed call on the government to immortalise late Super Eagles of Nigeria striker, Rashidi Yekini.

Esin in an exclusive interview with BSN Sports urged federal government to name a national stadium after his name adding that such national hero should not be forgotten and must be immortalised.

"I want government to name a stadium after my former team mate, late Rashidi Yekini. He deserves it and i urged the government to do something it as soon as possible."

"If this is done, it will encourage the young generation to do more for their fatherland." The former Eagles star said.

In the same vein, Lawyer to the 1993 African player of the year, Barrister Jibril Mohammed also wanted government to immortalised Nigeria's highest goal scorer.

"My message is simple, immortalise Rashidi Yekini, I will be fulfilled and I am sure that will bring closure to the circumstances surrounding his death. Rashidi was a great patriot, who served Nigeria at the expense of his family and happiness

On its part, Kwara state chapter of Sports Writer Assocoation of Nigeria (SWAN) appealed to Kwara state government to name a stand at the Main Bowl of the Kwara Stadium Complex or name a competition to be sponsored by the state government after him.

This is was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ilorin by the state Secretary of the association, Olayinka Owolewa.

"We are appealing to His Excellency, to please consider naming a part of the stadium stand, if not the stadium after the late Goal King.

"No doubt, Yekini put the name of the state on the world map during his playing days.

"He played 58 times and scored 37 goals for the Super Eagles and no one has beaten this record till date" the statement said.

The statement also appealed to the State Government to assist his mother, Alhaja Sikiratu Yekini, who needs every care or attention any aged person would need at the moment.

The body also appealed to well to do Nigerians to also extend their hands of fellowship to the aged woman in Ijagbo, near Offa in Kwara.

Rashidi Yekini professional career spanned more than two decades, it was mainly associated with Vitória de Setúbal in Portugal where he won the league highest goal scorer but he also played in six other countries besides his own.

Yekini scored 37 goals as a Nigerian international, and represented the nation in five major tournaments, including two World Cups where he scored the country's first-ever goal in the competition. He was also named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.