The football family in Oyo State has been thrown into mourning following the demise of former two-time chairman of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) Elder Bode Oyewole who was also the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State Council between 1978 to 1980.
The Commissioner for Youths and Sports in the state, Seun Fakorede in his reaction expressed shock over the sudden death of the statesman, describing it as a big loss to the Oyo State sporting family while assuring of the government’s involvement in giving him a befitting burial.
The commissioner who has been in self-isolation after being confirmed positive twice for the novel coronavirus regretted the unexpected death of the chairman of Shooting Stars when the club last won a national competition 20 years ago, especially now that the present administration is ready to fulfill the promise government made to that set.
Also mourning the late Oyewole was the Chairman, Oyo State Football Association, Oba James Odeniran, who described the deceased as a close confidant and reliable senior having also occupied the seat as former Oyo FA Chairman.
“I can’t believe my hears, when I heard of his death today (Tuesday). We are going to greatly miss his elderly advice and tutelage, he was a good hearted man”, said Oyo FA boss.
Lamenting the death of the erstwhile union leader, The Oyo State NUJ chairman, Comrade Ademola Babalola in a statement signed by the Secretary of the Union, Comrade Sola Oladapo, described Oyewole’s passing as “shocking, devastating, unexpected, sad and one that caught the body unawares”, because of the outstanding career of the one-time Chairman.
Oladapo said the news came when the executive was planning a special programme in honour of another late past Chairman of the union, Joe Abiola, saying, “the news of his demise came at a time when his wise counsel, experience and charismatic attributes as a father figure in NUJ and the society in general are much needed.”
The union condoled the family especially the wife, Mrs. Bose Oyewole, the children and the veteran journalists in the State and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss.
3SC, according to a statement issued by the media officer of the club, Tosin Omojola, described Oyewole’s death as a great loss to the general manager, Rasheed Balogun, the management and the entire club.
“We are shocked and deeply touched by the death of Elder Oyewole, who was the club’s chairman when the team won the league in 1998 and led the team to the Champions League competition the following year.
“No doubt, it is a great loss to the entire football fraternity in particular Shooting Stars, which he served as chairman on two different occasions. He will be greatly missed by every lover of this club but his achievements will remain indelible.”
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
