The ancestral family house of Super Eagles’ late hero, Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji in Umudioka Imo state, is under lock and key ‘indefinitely’, eye witnesses say.
It was gathered that the house became desolate after the d€ath of the late footballer’s mother, whose presence had kept the place alive for some years.
Most visitors to the premises during her days were journalists, tourists and holidaymakers, who usually trooped in to make enquiries about the origins of Okwaraji.
Recall that Sam Okwaraji di€d on August 12th, 1989 while playing for Nigeria against Angola in a World Cup qualifier.
His d€ath brought global attention to the rustic community of Umudioka, with several government officials, sports personalities and clansmen turning up at various points to give consoling words to his mother.
A former sports minister earlier promised her a monthly salary for life, which became a source of succour to the elderly matriarch, who lived for several years in the same compound where her son was buri€d.
A curious peep into the compound through gaps in the front gate revealed that the single story building, which used to be alive with activities, is now abandoned, covered with overgrown weeds, and Okwaraji's grave, desecrated.
"This place has been like this, sealed with a heavy padlock for over two years now. It has been like this since Mama died", a female neighbour said.
Another neighbour said, "This is not the way to treat a hero. Since his mother is now dead, government should take over the place and turn it into a museum".
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