NFF, Shaibu Commiserate with Sunshine Stars’ Over Dosunmu’s Death

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu have expressed sadness and deep sorrow over the death on Friday of the Assistant Kit Manager of Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure, Taiwo Dosunmu, from complications arising from bullet wounds when the team was waylaid by armed robbers earlier this month.

Players and officials of Nigeria Premier Football League club, Sunshine Stars FC were on their way to a scheduled league match against Bendel Insurance FC of Benin City on Thursday, 7th December when their bus was attacked, with Dosunmu hit by a bullet in the process.

President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau said yesterday: “This is a very sad development, but God is all-knowing and we can never question His wisdom. “We appreciate the prompt response and kind gestures of His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Edo State Government as a whole following the unfortunate incident, even as we are deeply saddened by Dosunmu’s death.

“Our prayer is that Almighty God will grant the late Dosunmu eternal rest, and also grant his immediate family, relations and the Board and Management of Sunshine Stars FC, as well as the good people of Ondo State and the Nigeria Football fraternity the fortitude to bear the loss.”

A release by the club said Taiwo Dosunmu breathed his last at the Intensive Care Unit of University of Benin Teaching Hospital after a series of surgeries by consultants at the facility. The release described the late Dosunmu as “a very hard- working individual who took his job with all sense of seriousness.”

Similarly, Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, mourned the passing of Dosunmu.

In his condolence message he personally signed, the Deputy Governor stated:

“It is with rude shock that I received the sad news of the demise of Taiwo Dosunmu, Assistant Kits Manager of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, Ondo State.

“His passing is a huge loss not only to his immediate family, but the management and players of  Sunshine Stars FC, the good people of Ondo State and the Nigerian football family in general.

“It is disheartening that Taiwo lost his life in the line of performing his legitimate official duties.

“For me, every profession has its own hazards. That our great friend and brother succumbed to the cold hands on account of the activities of evil doers in our midst is a testament that he died a hero”.

Shaibu condoles with Dosunmu’s family, friends and Sunshine Stars family over the loss.

“My heart goes out to his family members, loved ones, friends, associates the football family in Nigeria, particularly his wife and children, on the painful loss.

“May his gentle soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest  in peace, Amen”, Shaibu added.