D/G Shuaibu, right, son to late Sebastian Broadrick– Imasuen, Efosa and his mother
By Ayo Kehinde
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon, Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Monday paid glowing tributes to the U-17 World Cup winning Coach, late Sebastian Brodricks-Imasuen, describing his death as a collosal loss to the round leather game and the Nigerian football family.
The Deputy Governor whose versatility, until recently made him supervise sporting activities, among others, as part of his office and personally made the state team, Bendel Insurance a sure banker in the Nigeria Premier League, NPL, spoke at the residence of the deceased coach, when he led some of his aides and political associates on a condolence visit to the bereaved family of World Cup winning coach.
Broadrick- Imasuen died recently at the age of 85.
In a glowing tribute penned by him, Deputy Governor, Shuaibu said,
“Brodrick-Imasuen’s death is a national loss, whose void cannot be easily filled in the Nigeria national football team.
“Coach Sebastian wrote his name in gold in the heart of God and men because of what he used his talent to do for our country, Nigeria, Africa and the World. He was the first Nigeria national team coach of 1985 that won the first FIFA World Cup in China.
“When nobody gave us a chance as a Continent, he proved to the world that the World Cup was not only for other Continents but it was the turn of Africa to write history and he eventually won the 1985 World Cup.
“We are not mourning his demise, but celebrating the life of a man who came into the world, saw and conquered the battlefield.
“Sebastian made us believe that when you discover talent, you must try and develop that talent. We have a lot to celebrate about him and we thank God that he now has all of us he left behind to emulate him and keep what he lived for.
“For the immediate family he left behind, you are not alone; I am with you, Edo people are with you and Nigerians are with you.
“May his gentle soul rest peacefully in the bosom of the Almighty Creator.”
Shuaibu, aides and family members of late Broadrick– Imasuen
Son to the Kate coach, Efosa Brodricks-Imasuen, thanked the Deputy Governor for his support to his late father, while noting that death is inevitable.
