Sports Commissioner Absent As NFF Promise To Immortalize Late Super ‎Eagle Midfielder, John Okon-Ene

By Our Correspondent

The Nigeria Football Federation NFF says Cross River football loving supporters and the government of Cross River State should be rest assured that the late John Okon Ene will be immortalized by the Glass House.

NFF Deputy Secretary General, Emmanuel Ikpeme disclosed this during an interview with newsmen shortly after a church service organized by the Cross River State FA to give last honor to the late football icon as part of his burial program at the UJ Esuene Stadium, in Calabar.

He said, “NFF will do everything to immortalized John Okon Ene be rest assured of that. He was one the great mid-fielders that came from this part of the country and has contributed greatly to the development of football in Nigeria, so I can tell you that once the NFF Chairman who is outside the country for FIFA official matters return, he will look into it.

“Don’t forget that we have reached out to the family as part of this burial arrangement too, but the NFF will do more I can assure you.”

Tears rolled in torrents from faces of students, families, players and friends of the late Calabar Rovers coach as the remains of the late former Super Eagle ‎mid-fielder, John Okon Ene began its final journey ending his football career both as a player and coach.

Tributes were read from the government of Cross River State, Nigeria Football Federation, Cross River State Sport Commission as well as from the Former Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Patrick Ugbe.

The tribute of the Cross River state FA was read by its Chairman, Pastor ‎Essien Ekpeyong Ayi who discovered John as a young boy, full of potentials.

The Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Comrade Asu Okang was conspicuously ‎absent even as his name was neither mentioned in the program nor his absence acknowledged on the protocol list.

Born 47 years ago, late John Okon Ene was an ardent football ‎personality. From being a professional player who played up to the National Team (Super Eagles), he retired and became a Coach and was known for his love for his home state, Cross River where he stayed to nurture and develop football talents as a Coach.