The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung, has described Taiwo Ogunjobi as a humble technocrat who dedicated his life to the administration of football in Nigeria.
Dalung stated this in a statement signed by Special Assistant, Media, to the minister, Nneka Anibeze, on Monday in Abuja.
He said the news of the demise of the former Nigeria Football Federation scribe was shocking.
The minister said the sad news was announced by late Chief Ogunjobi’s Personal Assistant Tunde Shamsudeen on Monday.
Dalung said Ogunjobi reportedly died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
“The former Osun State Football Association Chairman was a humble technocrat who dedicated his life to the administration of football in Nigeria.
“I am shocked to hear of Chief Ogunjobi’s death. I saw him last year prior to the NFF elections.
“He came to personally inform me of his intent to contest the NFF presidential elections.
“He was a seasoned administrator and had contributed immensely to the development of football in Nigeria, especially in his home state, Osun.
“I commiserate with his immediate family members, the Osun State football Association, and other football stakeholders who knew or worked with him.
“He has left an indelible mark and a vacuum in football administration in the country. May God grant his soul eternal rest and his family, the fortitude to bear this loss.’’
Ogunjobi’s last public appearance was on Wednesday at the Oshogbo Township Stadium during a Week 7 NPFL Southwest derby between Remo Stars and MFM FC.
He was a Special Assistant to former Osun State Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, on Football matters.
Ogunjobi served as Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation from 1996 to 2010 and captained the former IICC Shooting Stars in the late 1970s, winning two continental championships.