Tella is dead

After a long battle with lung cancer, Nigeria's Under-17 World Cup-winning coach Yemi Tella died on Saturday morning at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

NFA board member Taiwo Ogunjobi, who confirmed the news to KICK OFF, stated that NFA chairman Sani Lulu Abdullahi and Secretary General Bolaji Ojo-Oba had cut short a visit to the Beach Soccer team in Badagry and were on their way to LUTH.

"The chairman was visiting the beach soccer team along with the Secretary General and I when we got the call that Tella is dead," Ogunjobi said. "This is a sad day for Nigerian football. We cannot say much at this time, however."

Tella's illness became public knowledge when he led the team to the Eight Nation Under-17 pre-World Cup tournament in Korea, where he was hospitalised and the team was left in the hands of his assistants Manu Garba and Ben Iroha.

The late NIS lecturer stayed at the Asan Medical Centre until the squad returned for the main championship, where he guided them to Nigeria's third triumph.

On his triumphant return to the country, Tella was immediately hospitalised and had been receiving treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, with the NFA making it public that the coach had been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Only last week, a Save Yemi Tella Fund was initiated by Sunny Obazu Ojeagbase, head of the Complete Communications group, with a donation of N500 000.

Sports Minister Abdulrahman Gimba also stated while on a visit to the coach last week that his condition had improved.

skanbroy  # 1 | 20.10.2007 11:57

Source: http://www.kickoffnigeria.com/stories/story8897.html Tella is dead After a long battle with lung cancer, Nigeria's Under-17 World Cup-winning coach Yemi Tella died on Saturday morning at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). NFA board member Taiwo Ogunjobi, who confirmed the news to KICK OFF, stated that NFA chairman Sani Lulu Abdullahi and Secretary General Bolaji Ojo-Oba had cut short a visit to the Beach Soccer team in Badagry and were on their way to LUTH. "The chairman was visiting the beach soccer team along with the Secretary General and I when we got the call that Tella is dead," Ogunjobi said. "This is a sad day for Nigerian football. We cannot say much at this time, however." Tella's illness became public knowledge when he led the team to the Eight Nation Under-17 pre-World Cup tournament in Korea, where he was hospitalised and the team was left in the hands of his assistants Manu Garba and Ben Iroha. The late NIS lecturer stayed at the Asan Medical Centre until the squad returned for the main championship, where he guided them to Nigeria's third triumph. On his triumphant return to the country, Tella was immediately hospitalised and had been receiving treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, with the NFA making it public that the coach had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Only last week, a Save Yemi Tella Fund was initiated by Sunny Obazu Ojeagbase, head of the Complete Communications group, with a donation of N500 000. Sports Minister Abdulrahman Gimba also stated while on a visit to the coach last week that his condition had improved.

Fjord  # 2 | 20.10.2007 12:10

The other day, his wife was saying that doctors at LUTH had informed that were he to be flown to Germany for treatment, he'll fully recover; perhaps this was true, but it's now too late. Such a life lost is a pain; hopefully, his survivors will have the strength to bear it all. .

Auspicious  # 3 | 20.10.2007 12:12

Awww.... So sad. Auspicious.

denker  # 4 | 20.10.2007 12:22

=Fjord;209180708>The other day, his wife was saying that doctors at LUTH had informed that were he to be flown to Germany for treatment, he'll fully recover; perhaps this was true, but it's now too late. Such a life lost is a pain; hopefully, his survivors will have the strength to bear it all. . ...is unfortunate he's not yar'adua...may his soul rest in peace...another victim of that tragedy called nigeria...:cry:

EbonyLomo  # 5 | 20.10.2007 14:51

What a loss, not for his family alone, but for the whole of Nigeria. It is indeed a sad day for the country as a whole for such a man to die after such an illness. I can only pray that the almighty Lord grants his family the fortitude to bare their loss, and may his soul rest in eternal peace.

Vimo  # 6 | 20.10.2007 15:13

I am really saddened by this especially because his wife pleaded for his transfer to Germany for treatment, but the LUTH Doctors told the government there was no need to fly him yet as they could still handle the situation. My heart goes out to his wife & family. RIP Yemi Tella

No Smoking  # 7 | 20.10.2007 15:16

=Fjord;209180708>The other day, his wife was saying that doctors at LUTH had informed that were he to be flown to Germany for treatment, he'll fully recover; perhaps this was true, but it's now too late. Such a life lost is a pain; hopefully, his survivors will have the strength to bear it all. For the reported long-term of his illness, a trip to Germany at that stage might have been too late. Lung cancer is one of the leading killers, even in the advanced nations. Hence the intensified campaign against smoking. Tella was a good coach, and stood by his team to the victorious end of the recent competition, despite being so ill himself. Hope his family, team and friends will find the grace to carry on.

Son of the Delta  # 8 | 20.10.2007 16:41

Stories like this makes one to be very angry with Nigeria. It is very unfortunate. I dont know when we would start caring for human life in Nigeria.

Robot  # 9 | 20.10.2007 16:53

...Read the full article.

Amy  # 10 | 20.10.2007 17:00

Lung cancer is a killer every where in the world today... Nothing peculiar to Nigeria on that score. He, at least, had the resources to go to LUTH for treatment... A privilege many deprived and impoverished Nigerians can not boast of anymore... sadly. He could have died even in Germany like many over there are dying from the same ailment daily. It is unfortunate, nonetheless. My heart goes out to his family and friends. I pray they find the inner strength to bear this loss.

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