Stakeholders, Families, Fans Celebrate the Lives and Legacies of Departed Nigeria Sports Legends
A solemn but grand celebration of life will take place tonight, Monday, 28th July 2025, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Victoria Island, Lagos, as five of Nigeria’s sporting heroes who passed away in the first half of the year will be honoured at a ‘Night of Tributes’ event sponsored by Air Peace, Completesports.com reports.
The event, to be staged at the iconic NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame, will pay glowing tributes to the legacies of Christian Chukwu MFR, Peter Rufai MON, Charles Bassey (MON, Moses Effiong MON, and Obisia Nwakpa OLY, in a ceremony expected to draw fans, families, sports stakeholders and gospel music stars.
The commemorative event, which holds at the Main Auditorium of the NIIA, will begin promptly at 6:00 pm and run till 9:00 pm. The public is advised to be seated by 5:30 pm, as space will be limited and entrance will be restricted once the venue reaches full capacity.
Celestial Music and Prayers To Accompany Tributes
Renowned gospel artistes including Yinka Davies, Faith Ifunaya, and Dancia Ngozi will provide celestial music to accompany the solemnity of the evening, while Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, founder of Trinity House, Lagos, will offer prayers for the departed.
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The evening will feature five tribute segments, each dedicated to one of the late heroes. Only designated individuals will speak at the event, reading short tributes not exceeding three minutes. These tributes will be delivered in the following order:
1. Moses Effiong (MON)
2. Charles Bassey (MON)
3. Obisia Nwakpa
4. Peter Rufai (MON)
5. Christian Chukwu (MFR, OLY)
An appointed family representative will deliver a closing remark on behalf of all five bereaved families.
A Fitting Farewell Organised With Precision and Dignity
According to Dr. Olusegun Odegbami (MON, OLY) – former Nigeria international and Air Peace Ambassador – every detail has been carefully planned to ensure a beautiful, dignified, and well-organised farewell. The event will be covered live on radio and streamed online, while also being recorded for later broadcast on television.
Master of Ceremony for the evening is popular sports broadcaster Deji Omotoyinbo, who will moderate the entire programme with precision and grace.
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The event is entirely free to the public, but admission is strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserved seating will be available only for VIPs, invited family representatives (three per hero), and selected sports stakeholders.
Wall of Fame Symbolises the Enduring Legacies of Nigerian Sports Icons
Sponsored by Air Peace, the newly constructed NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame symbolises the enduring impact of Nigerian sports figures in fostering national unity and global diplomacy. Tonight’s tribute will mark the first major occasion at the Wall, setting the tone for how Nigeria remembers her athletic greats.
In the words of Dr. Odegbami:
“They start their return journey Home to the Creator, befittingly… having enjoyed the grace of life freely gifted by the Creator, and being exalted amongst humans to the status of heroes in their particular fields.”
By Nnamdi Ezekute
