The family of Late Stephen Keshi, the former national team’s coach and his wife’s are at loggerheads as to the final resting place of the former Nigerian coach and player.
Reports have it that the Onyeogu Family Union of Ukpologwu Illah, Delta State has demanded that the remains of their son be buried on his ancestral ground in Illah.
However, the family of his late wife, Aburime have also requested that the body be buried on their ground as he was more of a son than an in-law to them.
In a letter made available to news agency, Sports Vanguard, the union said: “The issue that has caused us much anxiety is the proposal by the Aburime Family that they wish their in-law, our son, to be buried in Benin.
“As it is in Delta State, Edo State including the Ewu Kingdom and indeed Nigeria, most men are buried in their hometown on their demise. “We wish to reiterate our demand as earlier stated at the meeting of 17th June, that our son Steven Okechukwu Keshi be buried at his house in his hometown Ogbe Onyeogu Ukpologwu Illah in line with his last wish before his demise.
“And this we must state is in conformity with Illah tradition, the Ewu tradition and the Chieftaincy institution which he willingly subscribed to during his lifetime,” the Ogbe Onyeogu family stated. “We believe that an issue of this nature needs no further elaboration as it is customary in Nigeria that most persons, particularly high profile personalities are buried in their hometown, to do the otherwise may portend some consequences in future going by the Illah culture and tradition.”
The union further added: “The recent internment of his colleague and friend, Shuaibu Amodu in Okpella, Edo State is a leading example”.