Nigerian government has finally placed Alhaja Sikiratu, mother of late Super Eagles striker, Rashidi Yekini, on monthly stipend of N10,000.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, represented
Olaitan Shittu, made the offer known yesterday, May 6, at Ijagbo, near Offa in Kwara, when he donated Ramadan gifts on behalf of the minister to the aged woman.
The minister donated the sum of N50,000 as part of the Ramadan gifts to her.
Some of the items donated with the cash include a 50 kg bag of rice, 10 kg bag of wheat and six tins of Milo beverage drink.
Shittu said that it was not the first time the minister was reaching out to Alhaja Yekini as he was also at her residence in September 2019.
He said that the ministry would also be extending the same gesture to the mother of late Super Eagles player, Samuel Okwaraji.
Responding, Alhaja Yekini, who spoke in her native dialect (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 catered for myself despite scarce resources: even last month, I received treatment from the hospital.
“I need help from Nigerians, but this minister has done very well, especially remembering me in this holy month of Ramadan.
“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.”
Yekini scored 37 goals in the green-white-green shirt on 58 appearances and represented the nation in five major tournaments, including two World Cups where he scored the country’s first-ever goal in the competition against Bulgaria in the USA ’94 World Cup.
