Former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, will be buried on July 28, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Keshi, 54, died of suspected cardiac arrest in the early hours of Wednesday, June 7, in Benin City, Edo state and has since been kept in a mortuary.
Sylvester Keshi, spokesman for the family and elder brother of the deceased told NAN in Illah, Delta State, on Tuesday that the family had begun preparations for the burial.
Sylvester revealed that the family is proposing July 28 for the burial of the Big Boss pending the approval of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
“For now, we are proposing July 28 for the burial, although we are still awaiting the constitution of the burial committee being planned by the Nigeria Football Federation.
“At present, we are planning ahead for Stephen’s burial. We are still meeting, consulting and making preparations to give our son a befitting burial.
“We are making preparations for the renovation of his family house here in Illah.”
According to him, a representative of the family, Emma Ado, held several meetings with the NFF and a letter was sent to the sport ministry about the burial plans for the former Nigeria captain.
Sylvester added, “Emma Ado, who was Stephen’s agent, has been liaising with the football house and letters have been dispatched in respect of the burial.
“So, I want to believe that in the comings days, we will have a burial committee to work with because it is not just a family burial, the government is involved too.”
Sylvester disclosed that the Delta and Edo governments had indicated their interest in the burial, adding that the full details of the programme would be made public as soon as the committee was constituted.
“For now, the family has not received any contribution from anybody or organisation for the burial. People are just indicating their interest to be part of the burial. We are still consulting.
“Before his death, Stephen had told his children and close family members that he should be buried in Illah when he dies. He is a son of the soil, so his wish stands,” Sylvester added.
