Ex-CAF President Issa Hayatou to be buried on Friday

Former CAF President Issa Hayatou, who passed away a week ago in Paris, will be laid to rest in his hometown of Garoua on Friday. According to family sources, his remains will depart from Paris today and arrive at Nsimelen International Airport in Yaoundé. A wake will be held at his residence in Yaoundé throughout the night. The next day, Hayatou, a Prince of the Garoua lamidat, will be buried according to Islamic rites. The lamidat is a traditional Muslim chiefdom in northern Cameroon.

In a related development, former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba, expressed his condolences, describing Hayatou’s death as a significant loss to football and humanity. Ojo-Oba, who also served as a CAF and FIFA Security Manager, said, “The news of former CAF President Hayatou’s passing was a shock, as I had been looking forward to sending him birthday wishes.”

He added, “You can just imagine how deeply shocked I was when I heard about his passing, but I’m consoled that President Hayatou did his very best for African football. His tenure witnessed monumental development across the continent, and we can never forget his good ideals.”

“To say Hayatou was a true servant of African football is an obvious statement because he devoted all his life to the growth and development of African football,” noted the former Oyo State Commissioner for Sports.