Imo to honour 1980 Henry Nwosu with state burial on May 16
The Imo State government has reportedly promised to give former Nigeria international Henry Nwosu a state burial on May 16, with Governor Hope Uzodimma personally involved in the arrangements. Nwosu,
The Imo State government has reportedly promised to give former Nigeria international Henry Nwosu a state burial on May 16, with Governor Hope Uzodimma personally involved in the arrangements.
Nwosu, a member of Nigeria's historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winning squad, died on 14 March at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) after a brief illness. He was 62.
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Obinna Onyeocha, Imo's Commissioner for Sports, confirmed the plans in an interview with TheCable, saying the state government has been liaising with Nwosu's family since his death.
"Henry is our own, and he did Imo State proud during his active days," Onyeocha said. "He is also on record as the youngest player to ever play for the senior national team when he won the Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 at only 16 years old."
"I have hosted his family in my office, and we are working together towards giving him a state burial. His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, is also fully involved in the burial programme," the commissioner added.
Nwosu's body was transported to Owerri, the Imo State capital, a few days after his death.
One of Nigeria's most influential midfielders of his generation, Nwosu earned 60 caps for the Super Eagles and was part of the squad that won Nigeria's first-ever AFCON title in Lagos in 1980. He was 16 at the time, making him the youngest player to represent the senior national team.
At club level, he featured for New Nigeria Bank FC and Stationery Stores FC, among other sides. He also represented Nigeria at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
