TEC News Editorial Opinion Piece on Taribo West Emotional Outbursts
Editorial: Nigeria Must Stop Burying Its Heroes in Shame
TEC News| 24th August, 2025.
The tears of Taribo West at the funeral of Peter Rufai were not just personal grief—they were a collective indictment of Nigeria’s treatment of its greatest ambassadors.
When a man who wore the green-white-green with pride declares that he “will never advise his son to play for Nigeria,” it is not just anger. It is despair. It is the heartbreak of a nation that builds legends on the pitch but abandons them the moment the spotlight fades.
From Rashidi Yekini to Stephen Keshi, Thompson Oliha to Christian Chukwu, and now Peter Rufai, Nigeria’s story is one of glorious victories overshadowed by tragic endings. These were men who carried our pride to the world, men who lifted our spirits in victory, yet who were left with no system of support when their playing days were over.
The National Disgrace
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) claims to have provided assistance. Even if true, this piecemeal approach is not enough. No family should ever have to struggle to bury a national icon. No footballer who gave his youth to Nigeria should live in poverty or die in neglect.
This is not just about football—it is about our values. A country that cannot honor its past heroes cannot inspire its future champions.
What Must Be Done
- Establish a National Sports Welfare & Legacy Fund – a permanent, well-managed structure that guarantees pensions, healthcare, and funeral support for retired athletes.
- Enact a Sports Heroes Protection Bill – making it mandatory for government and sports bodies to provide post-retirement support.
- Introduce a Heroes’ Remembrance Day – to honor and immortalize our legends, ensuring their contributions are never forgotten.
- Audit and Reform the NFF – transparency and accountability must replace the recurring culture of excuses.
A Final Word
The world remembers Nigeria for its football glory. But how will history judge us if our champions are remembered more for their suffering than their victories?
Taribo West’s cry must not fade into another forgotten soundbite. It is a wake-up call for the government, for sports administrators, and for every Nigerian.
We must rise to build a system that honors our heroes in life and in death. Anything less is national betrayal.
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