Fri. Aug 29th, 2025

NFF

NFF Dismisses Taribo-West’s Allegations, Insists Peter Rufai’s Family, Not Abandoned

By Dele Fashomi 6 days ago

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has publicly refuted strong accusations made by former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, who claimed the football body and the Lagos State government abandoned the family of the late legend Peter Rufai during his burial.

In a viral video from the funeral, an emotional Taribo West described the situation as “madness,” alleging that the family was left to struggle for funds.

He vowed never to encourage his son to play for Nigeria as a result.

The NFF responded swiftly with a formal statement on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that it provided financial support to the families of both Rufai and another late icon, Christian Chukwu.

The federation detailed that it sent official delegations to each funeral as a mark of respect.

“For me, it is disheartening that you have Lagos State, Nigerian Football Association, they dropped the buck on the family,” Taribo had said at the service.

He called the treatment of the “hero” and his family unacceptable and shameful, citing it as part of a pattern following the deaths of other legends like Yisa Sofoluwe and Stephen Keshi.

In stark contrast, the NFF’s statement emphasized its actions were taken “to honour the service of the football legends, celebrate their legacy, and assure their families of continued support.”

The public disagreement highlights ongoing tensions between former players and football authorities in Nigeria concerning the welfare of retired stars and their families.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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