It was an emotion soaked moment for the leadership and members of the Nigeria Football Referees’ Association, NFRA, in Bauchi when the National Executive Committee and other members of the association met with the family.
The event was the Three Days Fidau Prayers for the late President who died in the early hours of Monday.
A section of the referees who had been in Bauchi since Monday the death was announced was joined by the National Executive Committee members led by the Deputy President, Sir Kelechi Mejuobi.
Speaking at the meeting with the family after registering condolences on behalf of the association, Sir Mejuobi informed the family that while they feel the pains of Zubairu’s untimely exit, the referees’ body he was in charge before death snatched him away is in deep mourning mood and feeling the gap created by his death.
According to the Deputy President, Late FIFA Sani Zubairu lived his life to the fulfilment of the well being of Nigeria referees. “He was for referees and everything about him was for refereeing; that is why we are still in tears. He left impeccable impacts in the growth of our noble association having served in various capacities for the NFRA and the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
“Late FIFA Sani Zubairu was a leader of immense repute, team player and manager of the people. Anyone who crossed his paths during lifetime had good tidings about his personality. Very detribalised, God fearing and knows no sect either by religion or otherwise. He treated all referees as equals”
Mejuobi added that the association is working out procedures to immortalize the name of not just the late President but other former presidents of the NFRA whose contributions led to the growth and progress of the association.
“Our late President was a good man before death came. We shall continue to miss him but planning to institute measures that will make us remember him. We can’t help but find a way to keep his name reverberating in our minds because of his contribution to a better refereeing climate in our country. We shall Immortalize his name. The NFRA as usual shall continue to maintain cordial relationship with the Sani Zubairu family and that of our late fallen heroes” Mejuobi added.
A spokesperson of the family and the late President’s younger brother Dr Umar Wada Sani thanked members of the association for their support and solidarity before, during and after his demise adding that the family appreciates the presence of NFRA members who had been around since Monday. He prayed for journey mercies to all back to their various destinations.
Apart from the Deputy President, Sir Mejuobi, former President, Alhaji Ahmed Maude, Vice President 1, Engr Emma Imiere, Vice President 2 Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Fagge, Dr Suleiman Omezia and Col Nicholas Achikasim, Secretary and Deputy Secretary General respectively were present for the event where prayers were offered for soul of late Zubairu.
Others present were Dr Anirou Shantali, Deputy National Training Officer, Muhammad Isa, National Treasurer and Sani Gusau, National Auditor.
Not left out were the North West and North East Zonal Coordinators, Mallam Nasser Ibrahim and Queen Hauwa respectively, Council Officials from Borno, Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Gombe, Niger states and the FCT.
