By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Super Eagles coach, Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, describing his passing as a painful loss to Nigeria and the global football community.
In a condolence message issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor commiserated with the people of Modakeke, the Ogunsua-in-Council, the deceased’s family, and Nigeria’s football fraternity over the demise of the respected football tactician.
Governor Adeleke noted that the departed Onigbinde lived an exceptional life marked by dedication to the growth and development of football in Nigeria and across Africa.
He said the death of the former Super Eagles manager, who led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan, had deprived the country of a football administrator and mentor.
“It is with a heart filled with pain that I offer my condolences to the Ogunsua and the people of Modakeke over the passing of one of its illustrious sons, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde,” the governor said.
“While he was alive, High Chief Onigbinde dedicated himself to shaping futures, using his knowledge of football to groom talents into stars in the arena of football.”
The governor added that the departed coach’s influence extended beyond the pitch, noting that his contributions significantly uplifted the aspirations and development of his community.
According to Adeleke, Onigbinde’s legacy in Nigerian football and his service to humanity will continue to be remembered for generations.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and urged family members, friends, and associates to find comfort in the remarkable life he lived and the enduring impact of his contributions.
Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, a respected football administrator and former national team coach, was widely celebrated for his role in developing Nigerian football talents and for his contributions to the country’s sporting history.
