| AWKA – Sports fans in Anambra on Friday mourned the death of the state’s athletics coach, Osita Okeagu, who died at the age of 36-years last month.
Okeagu died in his Onitsha residence on April 24 after a brief illness and was buried in his home town, Amuwelu Obia-Aku in the Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State of Friday.
There was outpouring of emotions at the Anambra State Ministry of Sports, Awka, where he worked when the remains made a brief stopover en route to Enugu.
His remains were received by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Leo Emeka in the company of other officials that included the Director of Sports (Operations), Mr Chidi Mbanefo.
In a sermon at the occasion taken from Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 verses 1 to 8, Rev. Fr. Livinus Udemba, called for courage on the part of all those affected by the death.
He noted that Okeagu had answered the call of nature and said that the occasion was only a reminder “for us to deal uprightly with our fellow men as death is an unavoidable end”.
According to him, in death, only the memories of our deeds will be left with men.
The catholic cleric, a former staff of the ministry, described Okeagu as a friendly person who had good relationship with those around him.
He prayed for the repose of his soul and for God to grant his family, colleagues and athletes under his tutelage the fortitude to bear the loss.
Some athletes told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the demise of Okeagu was a heavy blow to their journey to stardom.
Ebube Enechi, one of those under his tutelage, said she would miss the coach’s indepth knowledge of the tracks, coaching style and kind advice.
Enechi, who wept profusely, said she would work hard to uphold what he had bequeathed to them.
Another, Ndubuisi Akunna, said that he was going to miss the understanding and close working relationship that he had enjoyed with the coach since after his secondary school days.
“My coach, Okeagu promised me that he will make me to stay in his house so that he will help me to develop my potential,” he said.
Another athlete, Akachukwu Igwebuike, described Okeagu as a motivator for younger athletes having made it to the top in his chosen career.
“He was a motivator to us, he was a successful national athlete and he gave us tips on how to survive at the national camps.
“ He trained us beyond the tracks,” he said.
The late Okeagu won gold medals in the 400m hurdles in the West African Championships in 1997 and in other competitions in Benin Republic in 2011 and Nigeria in 2003. (NAN) |
