By Harry Awurumibe, in Abba, Imo state
Women’s football stakeholders from across the country have continued to arrive Umuokam, Abba autonomous community in Nwangele Local Government Area (LGA) in Imo State Wednesday’ ahead of tomorrow’s (Thursday) burial of veteran sports journalist cum women’s football promoter, Ms. Henrietta Ukaigwe.
Ukaigwe who died at a Lagos specialist hospital on July 14 will be buried in her village of Umuokam, Abba after a funeral mass at SS Peter & Paul Catholic church,Umudurunna.
As at the time of filling this report, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) delegation; Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) and Edo Queens FC management team have arrived Imo state for the burial.
Led by the Chairperson of Edo Government-owned premier league club, Mrs.Sabina Chikere, the Edo are to participate fully in the funeral rites which will start with a Wake-keep mass at the above mentioned church.
Speaking on the late President of highly successful women’s football advocacy group, Female Football Interest Group (FFIG), Chikere said until her death, Ukaigwe was one of the few Nigerian women who made female football thick in the country hence Edo Queens FC management is participating in the burial ceremony.
The Edo Queens boss statement read in parts: “The news of the death of Henrietta Ukaigwe, came as a shock to us, and as a sister, friend and colleague, it is very important for us in Edo Queens to attend her burial ceremony, and also join her family and other Nigeria sports fraternity to give her a befitting burial because of her active role in the development of the round leather game for Nigeria.”
“Again Henrietta Ukaigwe’s emergence into female football administration years ago and her combination with Madam Aisha Falode, brought a robust into the game. She was a phenomenal in administration and management of female footballers. She very passionate about the game, did her very best ensuring that female football is given the needed attention by government and other private individual who could afford running a female team. It is actually painful that she died when sports pundits in Nigeria needed her services more.
“So for such a person, it was important and at the same necessary for Edo Queens’ FC to be here and pay their last respect to her. We are happy to be here representing Edo State government.” ”Our coming here today is an indication that football family in Edo State recognized her contributions and commitment to the game. May the Almighty Lord grant her soul enternal rest”.
