NFF top official, Ibah dies of Covid-19 complications

By Babs Oyetoro

The Nigeria Football Federation board was thrown into another round of mourning yesterday with the death of a member of the executive committee, Mr. Ibah Emmanuel.

Mr Ibah, who was the NFF coordinator for the South-South zone, was also the Akwa Ibom football association chairman until his death. He was aged 61.

According to a statement issued by NFF yesterday quoting family sources, Mr. Ibah died Tuesday morning after succumbing to complications from the coronavirus pandemic.

It was revealed that the deceased had underlying diabetic and hypertensive medical conditions.

He was described as an energetic figure who showed intense dedication and commitment to the development of football in Nigeria.

Until his death Mr Ibah was the chairman of the NFF Protocols and Ceremonial Committee and Vice Chairman of both the Establishment and Referees Committees.

The president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, described the latest death as one too many.

“I am just lost for words. I don’t know what to say. This has been a tragic year on so many fronts. Emmanuel Ibah was like a brother. He was my colleague from the South-South on the NFF Executive Committee and a very loyal and supportive person. We have lost another pillar on the board. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” Pinnick said.

Mr Ibah’s death made him the third member of the NFF Executive Committee and the fourth key figure in the NFF to pass away this year.

The member from the South East, Chidi Okenwa, died on May 5 while Musa Duhu passed on September 19.