Don’t give Oliha’s kids money to his brothers - Friends

By John Egbokhan
Friends of the late Thompson Oliha have urged the Edo and Kwara State governments not to give out the grants they promised the children of the former Super Eagles midfielder, to his brothers because of fear  that it would not be used for its purpose.

[caption id="attachment_401410" align="alignright" width="269"] Thompson Oliha[/caption]

Oliha was buried weekend at his Upper Sokpomba residence in Benin City, with Edo and Kwara donating N2m and N1m respectively to the children. Edo plans to release the money today at the Government House.

The 44 year-old former Bendel Insurance and Heartland player left behind an eight-year old son, Jesus Aisosa Oliha and four year-old  daugther, Paris Oliha. Both are from two women, Ajara and Iris, whose unions with the deceased were not legalised before his death on June 30 in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Having witnessed the ugly events that unfolded during the funeral for the former assistant coach of the Kwara Football Academy, close friends and relatives of the deceased have advised both state governments not to give the money to the brothers of the deceased, fearing that it would not reach the hands of the kids.

 

Oliha’s last kick

By John Egbokhan, Benin City
The remains of Former Super Eagles midfielder, Thompson Oliha

[caption id="attachment_401410" align="alignright" width="269"] Late Thompson Oliha[/caption]

will today be interred at his Upper Sakpomba road residence in Benin City.

Disclosing this yesterday , the eldest son of the Oliha’ family, Ayo, told Sports Vanguard that a lying-in-state at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium will precede the burial of his brother, who died on June 30 in Ilorin, Kwara State.

“We would all gather at Time Mortuary at 8am, from where we would  proceed to the stadium for the lying-in-state. At the conclusion of the activities at the stadium, Thompson’s body would be taken to his private residence at Uwa Lane, off Sakpomba road for the interment”,  said the Ayo Oliha.

The late Oliha is survived by an aged mother, Mrs Alice Oliha, brothers and sister, comprising Ayo Oliha, Dupe Oliha, Esther Oliha,  Evans Oliha, Victor Oliha, two kids, Jesus Aisosa Oliha and Paris

Oliha and two wives.

The late Oliha made a total of 31 appearances for the Super Eagles, scoring two goals. He made his international debut in 1990, in a game against Senegal and made his last appearance at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in USA, as a late substitute in the second round match against Italy. Oliha retired at the age of 27.

He played for Bendel Insurance, Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland), Africa  Sports  , Maccabi Ironi Ashdod and Antalyaspor.  As a player, he was known for his powerful shots and aerial abilities

He died due to complications from malaria. At the time of his passing he was an assistant coach for the Kwara Football Academy.