By Akinwale Kasali
Few weeks after the Minister of Sports, Sure Dare, sent emissaries to pay mother of Late Green Eagles Player, Samuel Somtochukwu Okwaraji, to pay her a visit with foodstuffs, toiletries and cash sum during the Covid-19 Pandemic outbreak lockdown, promising to make it a monthly obligation to take care of the late Footballers mother.
Sadly, Madam Janet Okwaraji bid the world farewell as she gave up the ghost yesterday evening.
She died at her Abakpa Nike, Enugu home.
The announcement of her death was made known on Sunday by her son, Patrick Okwaraji.
Ifeanyi Okali, the Director of ABN TV, a regular caller at the Okwaraji’s home made the plight of the late mother known by giving her Publicty, which attracted the Sport Minister.
In June 2018, Okali paid the late Mrs. Okwaraji a visit as part of events marking the birthday Okali.
She raised complaints of neglect against her and her family by the government, particularly the Enugu and Imo states governments, which brought about the recent largesse she enjoyed from the Sport Minister before her demise.
Though the circumstances surrounding her death is yet to be ascertained as at the moment of filing this report, it may not be unconnected with old age related illnesses.
Her late son, Sam Okwaraji was born on 19 May, 1964 in Orlu, Imo State.
Okwaraji was a qualified lawyer who had a Masters in International Law from the University of Rome, Italy.
He however collapsed and died of congestive heart failure in the 77th minute of a World Cup qualification match against Angola at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos on 12 August, 1989 at the age of 25.
