The late athlete Ezekiel Otuoma will be laid to rest on Saturday, January 11, in an emotional farewell attended by family, friends, and fellow sportsmen.His body was transported in a high-end black Lexus hearse, adorned with a V-shaped wreath of red, white, green, and purple flowers, symbolizing love and remembrance.
Inside the hearse, red roses surrounded his casket, which was draped in a delicate white lace cloth.
A heartfelt tribute on the rear windshield displayed his photo with the inscription, Ezekiel Otuoma, Forever in Our Hearts.
Mourners gathered at the funeral home to pay their last respects before proceeding to his final resting place.
Among them was his grieving widow, Rachel, who broke down during a media briefing while recalling the painful experience of seeing her husband’s lifeless body at the mortuary.
“It was difficult,” she admitted, holding back tears. “In the mortuary, when I gazed upon him.at that moment, he felt cold to the touch.The staff kept reminding me to stay strong, assuring me that they were taking care of him.”
Otuoma was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in May 2021, which forced him into early retirement from football.
The illness progressively weakened his speech and mobility, confining him to a wheelchair.
Throughout his battle, he was supported by his wife, close friends, and well-wishers who contributed towards his medical expenses.
According to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the condition is life-shortening, affecting adults of all ages, with no known cure.
“Otuoma, you fought this battle courageously,” said former footballer Boniface Ambani, who played a key role in mobilizing support for Otuoma’s treatment.
By Newshub