Former Nigeria internationals, top dignitaries, family and friends were present at the Service of Songs and public presentation of the biography of the late Super Eagles captain, Peter Rufai.
The event took place at the Raji Rasaki Estate Field, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
Present at the event were Taribo West, Joseph Yobo, Samson Siasia, Friday Ekpo, Friday Elahor, Waidi Akanni, Monday Odiaka and Austin Eguavoen.
Also at the event were Complete Communications Limited (CCL) Executive Management Team chieftain, Dr. Mumini Also; renowned sports journalist, Deji Omotoyinbo; President Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Dr. Rafiu Ladipo; Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Director of Communications , Ademola Olajire; members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club and Stationary Stores Supporters Trust, Coker/Aguda chapter.
The Service of Songs commenced with a mass which was celebrated by a Catholic priest.
After the mass, individuals gave tributes to the late Rufai. Among those who gave tributes were Rufai’s younger brother Bruce Rufai, his daughter Confidence Rufai, Eguavoen and Dr. Ladipo.
The public presentation of Rufai’s biography took place after the tributes and it was anchored by Dr. Alao, who revealed that there will be a proper launching of the book at a later date.
Dr. Alao disclosed that proceeds from the book will be given to the family of Peter Rufai.
Rufai Was Someone You Can Count On In Goal – Ekpo
In a chat with Completesports.com at the event, former midfielder Ekpo said words cannot describe his feelings concerning the death of Rufai.
“I want to say everyone of us that have come out today is for Peter Rufai for the good things he did for Nigeria, for himself and for Lagos State in particular and for all of us because we were so close,” Ekpo said.
“For us, losing him is a painful thing and we just have to be for him at the last moment of his journey so that’s why we are all here and say to our dear friend goodbye, till we meet.
Ekpo added: “I don’t really know how to describe how I felt when I got the news. When I got the news, I was so shocked because two days before then somebody had called me and ask me if I had called Rufai — that he is sick and it’s not possible that he will be sick and I wouldn’t know. And when he died, I was like so the sickness was serious. And one thing I think we ourselves need to be doing now is to tell ourselves what is wrong with us and how we can find help at that time.
“Before I first met Peter Rufai, I had been seeing him — even when he was in Stationary Stores , I saw him and once he is in the goal-post you find it difficult to score him because he talks, he commands, he directs and he place you where you need to be at the right time.
Also Read: Legacy Of Peter Rufai | Nigeria’s Legendary Goalkeeper Who Paved The Way
“So when I met him in the national team, I was like before our opponent will score us it will take them time. He was someone you can count on though he makes mistakes too but his mistakes in goal were very rare,” Ekpo concukded.
Rufai Was Different From Other Super Eagles Goalkeepers – Elahor
Super Eagles left-winger, Friday Elahor told Completesports.com that there will never be a goalkeeper in Nigeria like Rufai.
“Peter Rufai was my friend and we were in camp together and we played for the national team together,” Elahor said. “We will miss Peter Rufai because he was a great man, a great goalkeeper and one of the best goalkeepers in Africa and it is a great loss to football circle in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
“We are here to honour him with the family, last time we were in his house for condolence and tomorrow (Friday) we will be there to pay the final respect, we will miss the great Dodomayana.
“He was my senior both in age and in the national team and when I met him in camp in 1986 he welcomed me very well. After our time in the Flying Eagles, we were invited to the Super Eagles camp.
“Like I said, Peter Rufai was a great man who did not like trouble, nor stress. He always made people laugh in camp, so I think we will miss everything about him and I just pray that his soul rest in peace.
“I don’t think we can see someone like Peter Rufai again..He’s different from every other goalkeeper. He was so confident about himself, a great keeper and when you have such a keeper behind you, you don’t have to be scared because he was always there for you.”
My Heart Is Bleeding – Taribo West
According to the legendary Nigeria defender, Taribo: “A big vacuum has been created in the circle of football fraternity especially for our nation and also the African continent and black race. My heart is bleeding, I don’t have the words to express Peter Rufai’s capacity or enormous input to the football world, Nigeria and in Africa.
“I’m just happy to be here and I can see some of my contemporaries and I’m here to share the burdens and the pains with the Rufai family. To me, it’s disheartening to have Lagos State and the Nigeria Football Federation who dropped the bucks on the family.
“My mother passed on I never shed tears, my father passed on in my hands I never shed tears but when Rufai passed on I had goose pimples on my body. What kind of nation is this? It this kind of example they had shown in the case of Yisa Shofoluwe, Stephen Keshi, Thompson Oliha, and Rashidi Yekini. I will never advice even my son put his feet to use for this country.
“Do we have a football federation or is there a football association in this Lagos State that this hero, this soldier had to be treated this way and his family? Could you imagine that the family would be crying out to our group asking for money.”
I’m Happy That I’m His Brother – Bruce Rufai
Peter Rufai’s younger brother Bruce, also spoke glowingly about his late brother.
“Peter’s death is a great loss to me, not only to Nigerians. He was a great advocate, he was a great mentor. I remember when I was coming up as a goalkeeper – how he taught me how to keep the ball, how to go on the floor. We lost a great mentor, a great father, a great friend, a great football player and a legend,” Bruce Rufai moaned.
“I’m happy that I’m is brother and on behalf of my family I say thank you to all Nigerians all over the world for the great support given to my late brother.”
My Memorable Encounter With Rufai In 1983 – Monday Odiaka
Former Flying Eagles star striker
Odiaka added: “We thank God almighty for Peter Rufai’s life well spent, and we pray that as he is going God should accept his soul and he should rest in peace.
“When we were in the national team together. We used to call him Rufi Joe and were friends for years though not in the same team at club level, but anytime we met we embraced, we cracked jokes and also we talked about life.
“One memorable game I can remember about Peter Rufai was ACB versus Stationary Stores in 1983, it was a game we played with all our lives but we lost.”
Meanwhile, the funeral mass for the late Peter Rufai will take place on Friday , 22 August 2925 at Catholic Church of Visitation, at First Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos. Interment will follow immediately after the funeral mass at Ikoyi Cemetery.
On Sunday, 24 August 2025, there will be Thanksgiving Service at Catholic Church of Visitation, from 8am.
By James Agberebi
