Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has declared that reviving school football competitions across Nigeria would be the most fitting way to immortalise late Green Eagles legend, Henry Nwosu, ahead of his burial scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Naze, Imo State.
Dikko made the remarks while receiving members of Nwosu’s family, representatives of Imo State Concerned Sports Stakeholders and members of the burial committee at his office inside the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
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The NSC Chairman described the late 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner as one of the most exciting footballers of his generation, noting that Nwosu’s rise from school football to the national team remains an inspiration for young athletes across the country.
“Henry Nwosu MON started playing for the national team at a very young age. The history of school sports, particularly the Principals Cup, will not be complete without his name. At that very young age, he featured for Nigeria at the AFCON in 1980,” Dikko said.
“He is an example to every aspiring young athlete that it is possible to get to the highest level. His success also encourages us now at the Commission, well aware that there are a lot of talented athletes at the grassroots level and in schools. Indeed, our work in this respect is being validated with the number of school athletes now representing Nigeria at the highest levels.”
Dikko stressed that the late football icon should be immortalised in line with his exploits in school sports and Nigerian football.
“At the Federal level and in conjunction with the Imo State Government, something should be captured to make sure that his name is engraved in our school sports history. For instance, a school sports tournament should be named after him. It is a huge loss for the nation and we will do all we can to ensure that his labours are not forgotten,” he assured.
The NSC boss also pledged the Commission’s support for all activities lined up for the burial ceremony and disclosed that the Commission would collaborate with the Imo State Government and other key stakeholders, including the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to ensure the late winger receives befitting honours for his immense contributions to Nigerian football.
Earlier, Nwosu’s eldest sister, Mrs. Ijeoma Onyewuchi, expressed deep grief over the passing of her brother, describing him as the only son among four children whose absence would be profoundly felt by the family.
She noted that the former international’s achievements contributed significantly to the growth and standard of football in Nigeria and appealed to the NSC to support the family towards a successful burial ceremony.
In a formal proposal presented to the NSC Chairman, leader of Imo State Concerned Sports Stakeholders, Dr. Geoffrey Ogu, praised Nwosu’s discipline, dedication and immense contributions to football development in the country.
Ogu appealed to the Commission to ensure the football legend is immortalised and accorded a state burial, noting that such recognition would determine the level of honours, funding and participation by both the Federal and Imo State Governments.
He also called for adequate security arrangements during the burial and requested approval for the use of national symbols, including draping the casket with the national flag, recitation of the national anthem and the observance of a minute’s silence in honour of the late football hero.
According to him, both the Federal Government and the Imo State Government should further immortalise Nwosu through football programmes and projects capable of inspiring young talents to serve the country with dedication and patriotism.
Henry Nwosu died on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the age of 62. Several activities have been lined up ahead of his burial on June 6 in his hometown of Naze, Imo State.
