Following the viral circulation of a video on Friday in which former Super Eagles defender Taribo West criticized the Nigerian government and football authorities for neglecting late goalkeeper Peter Rufai during his burial, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has responded, stating that it provided financial support to the families of Rufai and another late football legend, Christian Chukwu.
In a statement shared on X, the federation emphasized that it “stood in solidarity” with the families of the two icons.
“In support of the burial rites of Christian Chukwu, the NFF provided financial assistance to his family, and was represented by Executive Committee Member Chief George Aluo, Barr. Okey Obi, and Mr. Chikelue Iloenyosi.
“Similarly, at the funeral mass of Peter Rufai in Lagos, the NFF also offered financial support to his family. The delegation included Executive Committee Member Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi and Dr. Ademola Olajire,” the circular read.
The federation further stated that it honoured their “service, celebrated their legacy, and extended continued support to their families.”
This comes after widespread outrage over the plight of Rufai’s family, who reportedly struggled to raise funds to give the late goalkeeper a decent burial.
Videos from the funeral showed ex-internationals lamenting the neglect of Nigerian football heroes.
Speaking at Rufai’s burial, Taribo West accused both the Lagos State Government and the NFF of abandoning the family, forcing them to beg for money.
Taribo lamented that he would never allow his son to play for Nigeria.
He wondered how a family could be left to cry and solicit for money, even within his group, for the burial of a hero who fought for his country, describing the situation as madness.
The ex-international said the loss shook him deeply, admitting that although he did not shed tears when both his parents passed away, he wept uncontrollably at Rufai’s passing.
Taribo said Rufai was a hero, a soldier, a football evangelist, adding that to see his family go through that was disheartening.
He compared Rufai’s plight to the neglect faced by other late Nigerian football greats, including Stephen Keshi, Thompson Oliha, and Rashidi Yekini.
The football legend stated that the Nigerian government has shown in the most shameful way that it does not care for those who dedicated their lives to football and the nation.
Taribo said, “I’m just happy to be here, I can see some of my old contemporaries to be here in this incredible day. I just share the burden and pains of the family, that rest upon their shoulders.
“For me, it is disheartening that you have Lagos State, Nigerian Football Association, they dropped the buck on the family.
“I felt in my spirit that (it is) nothing to put your life for, that’s why I have to shift back so that I will not implode. My mother passed on, I never shed tears, my father passed on in my hands, I never shed tears.
“But when Rufai passed on, I had goose pimples on my body, and every individual I’m speaking to, there was, you know, tears rolling down my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?
“With this kind of example they have shown in a shameful way, in (Yisa) Sofoluwe, Steven Keshi blessed memory, Thompson Oliha blessed memory, Rashidi Yakini.”
“I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country, sell me out. Do we have a football federation or do we have a football association in this Lagos State?” he said.
“That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist had to be treated this way and his family. Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit even within our group to ask for money, that’s madness. Please let me go, I don’t want to pour my heart.”
