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The secretary-general of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Mouhammed Sanusi has joined in mourning the death of former top referee, Festus Bolaji Okubule, who he described as an icon of the whistle.
Megasportsarena.com reports that Sanusi reeled out series of encomiums for Okubule in his tribute to the late arbiter and former FIFA-badged ref, who died in Lagos on Tuesday evening at the age of 80.
He recounted that Okubule, who was the second Nigerian referee to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations (after Sunny Woghiren in 1974), was nicknamed ‘Showboy’ for his ability to demonstrate his calls during any match.
His action on the pitch and immaculate uniform were also huge reference points for the highly-respected arbiter, who also officiated at the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Okubule became Nigeria’s first referee at a FIFA graded competition, when he was picked for the 1983 World Youth Championship (now U20 World Cup) in Mexico.
That tournament was also Nigeria’s debut at a global football championship, yet the Flying Eagles got close to the quarter finals after defeating old Soviet Union, lost to Brazil and drew with The Netherlands.
After he retired from active refereeing, Okubule continued to serve the round leather game, as a member of several committees and various panels that were constituted over the years to further develop Nigerian football.
Sanusi stated in his tribute: “Festus Bolaji Okubule was an icon of the whistle and a man of high integrity.
“It is quite sad that the list of veterans and pacesetters of Nigeria Football keeps depleting, steadily.
“We pray that God grants the late Okubule eternal rest and also grant those he has left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.”
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