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“We
will immortalise him”; “We will support the family”; “We will…, and
on and on the promises were poured out as the late Super Eagles
defender, Adefemi Olubayo made his final journey to interment last week
Thursday in Lagos.

‘Bayo’ as fondly
called by his fans played his way to the hearts of many Nigerians which
was obvious by the number of fans and well-wishers that thronged both
the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium in Lagos, venue of his
lying-in-state ceremony, and also the Atan Cemetery where his body was
finally interred.

Now that his body
have been committed to mother earth, signalling an end to his sojourn
on earth, the question on many lips is will Adefemi Olubayo not also be
a victim of empty promises like those footballers and athletes who have
been involved in accidents or even died before him?

A member of the
Beijing silver-winning Olympic team, Adefemi had the dream to play at
the World Cup, raise his own family amongst other things but all those
are no longer attainable.

More than ever,
Adebayo had a burning desire to touch lives, and consequent upon this
he was named as an ambassador to Nigeria’s Homeless World Cup team, who
are preparing for Homeless World Cup that will take place in Paris come
August 2011.

The breadwinner for
his family, Bayo had many who depended on him for a bright future; his
mother, brothers, sisters all clung unto the broad shoulders of the
25-year-old footballer and he was forever smiling for the
responsibilities thrust on him.

Happily though he
was given a befitting burial, worthy of a true patriot, a young
Nigerian committed to the course of his country and always doing his
best when called upon to serve as attested to by all and sundry present
at his final journey. It was therefore not surprising to see not just
officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) present but fans
from all walks of life came to pay their last respects with promises to
immortalise the fallen hero.

Empty promises to fallen heroes

While it might be
too early to doubt the sincerity of the country’s football officials,
previous cases like that of the late Samuel Okwaraji, Muda Lawal,
amongst others raises concern on the need for officials to keep to
their words.

Just like
Okwaraji’s teammates promised to get the Italy 1990 World Cup ticket
for their colleague back then – a promise that set of Eagles could not
keep, Olubayo’s teammates who were missing at the funeral owing to club
commitments have vowed to not only to win their next game against
Ethiopia but also qualify for the Africa Nations Cup, a tournament
Olubayo failed to participate in his short career in the national team,
from which he earned five caps.

Super Eagles
captain, Joseph Yobo lamented that the demise of Adefemi is shocking
because he wined and dined with the group a month ago during the Africa
Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia and the international
friendly against Kenya, which took place in Abuja.

The Nigerian
captain has now promised that he and his teammates will ensure that
they beat Ethiopia in Addis Ababa in June as well as qualify for the
2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

“The big honour we
can give to Olubayo Adefemi is to go to Ethiopia in June and take the
three points and eventually qualify for the 2012 African Cup of
Nations,” Yobo stated.

Nigeria currently
trails current group leaders Guinea by a point in the race for
qualification to the 2012 Gabon/Equatorial Guinea Nations Cup and will
be playing away to Ethiopia on June 5.

Samson Siasia, who
could best be described as Olubayo’s mentor, as he nurtured him to
stardom, starting off from the Africa Youth Championship in Benin
Republic in 2005, then to the World Youth Championship, also in 2005 in
Holland and also to the Olympic football event in Beijing (2008), where
his team won a silver medal, also unveiled his plans for Olubayo’s
dependants.

The Beijing
Olympics silver-winning coach said he will meet with other Super Eagles
players to fashion how they could best support the family of Adefemi.

“As a team we
cannot force any of the players to do something special for the late
Olubayo Adefemi or to promise anything on their behalf, but we can
advise to that effect. What we will suggest and advise the players to
do, is to support the family of Adefemi in a way that it would have a
long, lasting and positive effect on his family,” said Siasia.

Adefemi died on
April 18, 2011, in an automobile accident in Greece. Greek police said
the 25-year old defender, who played for Skoda Xanthi, lost control of
his car on the Egnatia motorway while driving from Xanthi to Salonika
in the Kavala region of the country. He was reportedly on his way to
Nigeria to finalise details of his wedding when the accident happened.

May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace!