O’jez Pays Tribute to Keshi, Amodu

O’jez fans’ night will be dedicated to pay tribute to Keshi and Amodu, as well as celebrate Henry Nwosu and Dudu Orumen.

This month’s edition of the O’jez Soccer Fans Nite Out, billed to hold today at the open air section of O’jez celebrity restaurant, National Stadium Complex, Surulere, Lagos, at 7pm has been dedicated to two deceased national soccer heroes; both former coaches of the Nigerian Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi and Shaibu Amodu who passed on this month. Keshi, however, was also former captain of the Eagles and his long playing career witnessed a string of successes in the national team side.

The O’jez Soccer Fans Nite, a night of music, comedy, awards and dance, is designed to create a platform for brands to have a one-on-one contact with soccer fans, showcase the activities of the Nigeria Premier League, international football, as well as promote peace, love and unity among the fans. It is a forum designed also to appreciate, honour and celebrate Nigerian ex-internationals, active ones, sports media personalities, corporate firms and entertainers for their contributions to the growth and development of football and entertainment in Nigeria. The maiden edition attracted a crowd of over a thousand people.

The maiden edition held last month was dedicated to former Super Eagles goalkeeper and captain, Peter Rufai (Dodo Mayana), Mumuni Alao, sports journalist and Group MD, Complete Communications, as well as renowned comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, who all received the O’jez Lifetime Achievements Award.

Even in the middle of mourning two great coaches of the Eagles, the organisers will also present the O’jez Lifetime Achievements Awards to former striker of the Super Eagles, Henry Nwosu, and to veteran sports journalist and marketer, Mr. Dudu Orumen.

Veteran sports journalist, Mr. Effiong Uyo, one of the coordinators of the monthly event said the choice of Nwosu and Orumen was a perfect one. He said, “just like last month’s combination of Peter Rufai, Mumuni Alao and Gbenga Adeyinka. I must say that last month’s event, which was the maiden edition, was a huge success not only in the area of attendance alone but also with the quality of the show. We will, however, improve on that success this month and in consequent editions.”

He described the sudden deaths of Keshi and Amodu as a big blow to not only to Nigeria but also to Africa.

Uyo noted, “We just witnessed the sudden demise of an era in football coaching and this should make any football-loving Nigerian sad. However, we are not God, so we cannot question His decision to take from us two rare gems. But as humans, we will and must continue to celebrate them even in death. That is why the June 25 (today’s) show is dedicated to the duo.”

According to him, a montage video sequence of the football life and times of both Keshi and Amodu will be shown to the audience tonight after a one minute’s silence has been observed.

“We have decided to dedicate this month’s O’jez Soccer Fans Nite Out to Stephen Keshi and Shaibu Amodu and we are saying “thank you for what you guys did for Nigerian and African football,” Uyo added.

Highlife musician and co-coordinator of the event, Peterson Agu, promised a night of glamour, music, comedy and dance.

“As the person handling the entertainment aspect of the O’jez Soccer Fans Nite Out, I promise you that it will be a night to remember, expectedly because we have top class comedians such as Elder O, MC Phrymzo and ATM among other acts lined up to thrill you. There will be plenty music and dance. Just put on your favorite club jersey or buy one from any of our ushers right there,” Agu state