According to a report from BBC, A respected Nigerian journalist has openly criticised Super Eagles legend Taribo West and other former internationals for their silence and lack of support during the burial of Peter Rufai.
Veteran sports administrator and broadcaster, Godwin Enakhena, revealed the names of individuals and organisations that financially assisted the family of the late goalkeeper, who passed away at 61 after a prolonged illness.
Rufai, fondly called “Dodo Mayana,” was buried on Friday, August 22, after a funeral mass at the Catholic Church of Visitation in Lagos.
Rufai’s death left football fans in mourning, with tributes pouring in for the former Stationery Stores shot-stopper who earned 65 caps for Nigeria, played a key role in the Super Eagles’ 1994 AFCON triumph, and was instrumental in the country’s historic World Cup debut the same year.
In a viral post on X, Enakhena, former chairman of MFM FC, disclosed that the Lagos State Government topped the donor list with ₦15 million.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) contributed ₦3 million, businessman Yemi Idowu and the Lagos State Sports Commission DG gave ₦1 million each, while the Benue State FA Chairman also donated ₦1 million.
Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo was also recognised for contributing ₦500,000. Enakhena confirmed that over ₦20 million had been raised as of Monday.
Challenging Taribo West directly, Enakhena questioned the level of commitment from Rufai’s former teammates:
“Taribo, how much did you give? How much did the ex-internationals contribute? The people you played with, how much did they support Dodomayana?”
He stressed that while individuals and organisations rallied around Rufai’s family, most of his fellow players did little or nothing.
Enakhena further disclosed that the Lagos State Government, the NFF, and businessman Kunle Soname have pledged to support the upcoming launch of Rufai’s book, a project that the late goalkeeper considered very dear to his heart.
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