At the funeral of late Super Eagles legend, Peter Rufai, former Nigerian defender Taribo West launched a scathing attack on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Lagos State Government, accusing them of abandoning Rufai’s family.
He expressed profound disappointment, questioning the nation’s values and lamented the poor treatment of football heroes.
West, visibly emotional in a video obtained by DAILY GAZETTE, said:
“It’s disheartening that Lagos State and the NFF dropped the bulk on the family… I felt in my spirit that there is nothing to put your life for—that’s why I had to step back so I wouldn’t implode… What kind of nation is this?”
Recounting the emotional burden, he added:
“I shed no tears when my parents passed, but when Rufai died, I had goose pimples—and everyone I spoke to was in tears.”
West referenced the neglect of other football greats like Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha, and declared:
“With this kind of example, I will never advise even my son to put his feet on this country… This hero… treated this way… and the family had to beg for funeral funds? That is madness.”
