A member of the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation and Coordinator for the South-South zone of the body, Mr. Emmanuel Ibah, is dead.
A statement released by the Nigeria Football Federation NFF says Ibah died today December 15 of coronavirus-related complications. He was 61 years old.
“Family sources confirmed to the NFF that Ibah, who was also Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Football Association, gave up the ghost on Tuesday morning after succumbing to complications from the new coronavirus pandemic. He was said to have underlying diabetic and hypertensive medical conditions.
Ibah, an energetic figure who showed intense dedication and commitment to the work of the NFF and Nigeria Football in general, was always at the forefront of preparations for matches of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles, any time the Eagles were playing in the Akwa Ibom State capital, Uyo. The Godswill Akpabio Stadium, known as Nest of Champions, served as home for the Super Eagles during their successful qualifying campaigns for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations,” the statement reads
Many Nigerians including the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, have expressed sadness at the demise of Ibah.
On his Instagram page, Amaju wrote
”I am deeply saddened about the demise of the Akwa Ibom FA chairman Emmanuel Ibah. I spoke with him just yesterday and he was full of life. I thought he would beat it, but God knows best.
Late Ibah was a board member of the NFF and Coordinator for the South-South zone of the federation.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the bereaved family at this difficult time. May God grant them the fortitude to bear this great loss.”