Janet Okwaraji, mother of late Nigeria ex-international is dead having suffered a prolong illness according to report from her relation.
Patrick Okwaraji, eldest son of the old lady broke the news on Monday and consequently revealed that no rite of passage arrangement has been organized yet.
Lady Janet in 2019 called on the Federal Government and football stakeholders to encourage the sacrifices his son made for the country as no profound gesture has been made to honor him since he passed on 30 years ago.
Okwaraji’s love and patriotic stance for his motherland became a focal point in Nigeria football history when he refused warning from his club not to play for the then Green Eagles in the World Cup qualification rounds of Italy 1990.
“I am a lawyer you know and signed to play football for certain conditions but I don’t think it included reselling my services to my country. You or your club cannot stop me from playing for my country. Let me tell you, I am going to represent my country whether you like it or not.” Samuel Okwaraji told SSV 1846 manager who tried to stop him from honoring a call from Nigeria.
He later died of heart failure caused by an enlarged heart and high blood pressure on August 12, 1989 while on national duty in a World Cup qualification match between Nigeria and Angola in Lagos.
