The secretary-general of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Mohammed Sanusi has joined in ,mourning the death of the soccer governing body’s former chairman, Brigadier-General Dominic Obukadata Oneya (retired), which sad event took place on Thursday.
Megasportsarena.com reports that, in the wake of news of Oneya’s passing going viral, Sanusi took time to eulogise the former military administrator of Kano and Benue States, describing him as a gentleman to the core.
A citation by the communications department of the NFF noted that the now late Oneya, who was born on 26th May 1948, was ebullient, avuncular, unclamorous, diligent, a lover of people and a stickler for excellence.
Oneya and served as military administrator of Kano State between August 1996 and August 1998, when he was redeployed to Benue State in the same role, serving there until the return of democratic rule in May 1999.
He then served as Chairman of then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) between January 2000 and October 2002, overseeing Nigeria’s silver-medal winning outing as co-hosts with Ghana of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations.
He was also in charge of a successful Korea/Japan FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Nigeria’s bronze medal outing at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali and the Super Eagles’ outing at the first Mundial to be co-hosted by two countries and first in the Far East that same year.
After leaving office as supremo of Nigerian football, Oneya served the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in various capacities, including as a member of the highly influential organizing committee for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Sanusi added that he was shocked to hear news that Oneya had passed on at age 73, while also revealing that he was devastated beyond words, especially as he had earlier spoken with the ace administrator on Wednesday.
“General Oneya was a gentleman to the core. Someone you can call at any time of day or night for advice and he would always oblige. His death is a huge loss to Nigeria Football.
“We spoke on Wednesday because I conveyed to him information that the NFF had appointed him as match commissioner for the men’s AITEO Cup final coming up on Sunday in Benin City.
“He told me he would prefer to drive down to Benin from Warri on Sunday morning. He sounded healthy and full of life. May his soul rest in peace,” Sanusi mourned.
