Date: 2012-05-06

The Federal Government should consider the late Rashidi Yekini for a post-humous award, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) said on Saturday in Abuja.

SWAN National President, Saidu Abubakar, in a condolence message, said the award would serve as an honour which the legend did not enjoy in his lifetime.

''It will be a reciprocal recognition of his contribution to the Super Eagles' growth,'' he said in the statement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yekini, who hailed from Ira in Kwara, died at the age of 48 on Friday after an unnamed illness at an undisclosed hospital.

Abubakar said SWAN had received with shock news of the sudden death of Yekini, saying his death was an irreparable loss to the Nigerian football family.

''It has come at a time the one-time African Footballer of the Year needed to be idolised and given a sense of belonging by the football family,'' he said.

The SWAN National President described the late Yekini as second to none and a footballer who stood taller among his peers and playing mates.

''He led Nigeria's glorious days in football when the Super Eagles ruled Africa in 1994 by winning the Africa Cup of Nations.

''He then went ahead to carve a niche for Nigeria at the USA 1994 World Cup in the U.S,'' he said.

Abubakar said Yekini would be best remembered for his celebration of Nigeria's first World Cup goal, which he scored.

''The Nigerian football family has lost a rare gem, and may the Lord Almighty grant him eternal rest and the bereaved the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,'' he added.

Also, the FCT chapter of SWAN, on its part, said it would remember with fond memories Yekini's great contributions to the rise to greater heights of the country's football.

''We therefore wish to join his family members and even the rest of the football families in mourning this great football icon,'' the body said in a statement by its Chairman, Kayode Adeniyi.

FCT SWAN however called on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and even the federal government to ensure Yekini's immortalisation.

''They need to ensure that the great role he played in helping the nation's football to rise to an enviable height is well remembered and immortalised.

"The contribution of Yekini to Nigerian football development cannot be over emphasised.

''He was a great footballer and his contributions should be remembered and appreciated in the way he would be immortalised, at least as a form of last respect," the FCT SWAN chairman said.