The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, under the leadership of her Honourable minister, Sunday Dare has placed the mother of late Super Eagles striker, Rashidi Yekini, Alhaja Sikiratu, on a monthly stipend.
Representating the Minister, Olaitan Shittu, today paid condolence visit to late striker’s aged mother in Ijagbo, Offa, Kwara state donating Ramadan gifts and a sum of 50,000 naira to the family.
Shittu explained that it was not the first time the Minister was reaching out to Alhaja Sikiratu Yekini as he was also at Mama Yekini’s residence in September, 2019.
Responding, Alhaja Yekini who spoke in Yoruba, thanked the Minister and prayed fervently for him.
“I have been abandoned for a long time and have not seen any help from anyone. I was hospitalised for few days, some months ago and I did cater for myself despite scarce resources, even last month, I received treatment from the hospital.
“Since my son died, it has been very tough for me because I do not have any help from people. Rashidi’s siblings are not doing well too, so, I was left to struggle for life everyday,” Alhaja Sikiratu Yekini added.
Late Rashidi Yekini who died eight years ago in Ibadan after retiring from football on the 4th May, 2012 had his professional career span more than two decades and was mainly associated with Vitória de Setúbal in Portugal, but he also played in six other countries besides Nigeria.
Yekini is also Nigeria’s Super Eagles highest goal scorer with 37 goals in 58 games.
