NIGER State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has said that Nigeria should imbibe the attitude of recognizing sportsmen when they are alive instead of showering encomium and praises on them after their demise.Aliyu was speaking against the backdrop of Nigerian's celebration of the late former international footballer, Rashidi Yekini, who took ill and could not get the help of either government or the football authority until he passed on.Speaking in Minna when he received the trophies won by the state's U-18 and U-19 handball teams at the just concluded national handball championship in Calabar, Aliyu regretted that the sacrifices of Nigerian sportsmen and women always go unrewarded, pointing out: 'We must not allow a situation where those who did well, our heroes and heroines, are neglected and allowed to die as a result of depression.'He said the state government was not aware of Yekini's plight until his death, adding that the government would have come to his rescue because the former star's family lives in Gwada, Shiroro Local Council Area of the state, and he was therefore regarded as a son of the state.'We must not wait until when they die before we praise our heroes. If we were aware of the problems Yekini was going through, we would have come to his assistance and may be he woulf not have died now,' Aliyu said.Describing Yekini as an illustrious son of Niger State, who did the state proud after starting his football career in the state, Aliyu prayed for his soul's repose and for his family to have the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.THe further directed the Ministries of Sports, Education and Science and Technology to always keep tab on those who have done the state proud in the past and keep the government informed of their progress wherever they are.Meanwhile, thanking the handball teams for doing the state proud, Aliyu approved N4 million to be shared by the players and their officials.
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