’Tana Aiyejina
Former Nigeria defender Taribo West has
dispelled news on the social media and websites claiming he died in a
South African hospital on Thursday.
Nigerian website gongnews.com had the headline ‘Another tragedy: Taribo West dies at 50’ while smithrise.com’s was ‘Former Nigerian Defender Taribo West Dies in South Africa.’
“The former defender of Nigeria Super
Eagles who is now a pastor and founder of Shelter in The Storm Miracle
Ministries of All Nations has died in South Africa early morning of
Tuesday, South Africa Radio reports.
“He passed on at 42. According to the
reports, West was flown into South Africa for medical treatment but did
not state what he was diagnosed of. His body has since been sent for
autopsy. He is best remembered for his various unusual and colourful
hairstyles,” smithrise.com reported.
But in an interview with SATURDAY PUNCH,
the ex-footballer who had stints at European giants AC Milan, Inter
Milan and Kaiserslautern said he was alive and well, and never visited
South Africa.
He said he first got wind of the news while at home meditating ahead of his church programme on Sunday.
“I received calls telling me to check
Facebook about news of my death. I saw reports of my death and people
were commenting. I just laughed. I’ve never received such number of
calls all my life. From US, UK, all over the world,” the Atlanta ’96
Olympics gold medallist said.
He added that he had a premonition that something ‘evil’ was going to happen, after a spiritual attack.
Taribo said, “It’s the handwork of the
devil; they struck but they couldn’t get me. Last week, I had a
revelation, in which I was heavily attacked but they couldn’t get me.
They also tried it in the physical but they didn’t succeed. So, when
they couldn’t kill me, they resorted to the rumour of my death. It
wasn’t an ordinary thing. But when they can’t get you, they must join
you in celebrating with you. That’s what’s happening now.”
Speaking further, Taribo said he is
relieved and happy after God used the news to reunite him with old
friends and acquaintances.
“All the people I had lost contact with
were calling, thinking I had kicked the bucket. But it helped me in
reuniting with these people. That’s God’s work, when the devil means
evil for you, God turns it to good for His children. I didn’t travel. I
only went to the American Embassy last Tuesday; I never travelled after
that,” Taribo said.
Meanwhile ex-teammates of Taribo and
journalists have urged the public to dispel rumours of the death of the
ex-Enugu Rangers’ centre-back.
The Radio Catalyst slammed gongnews.com
slammed for posting false news on twitter. “Gongnews is fake brand
giving out fake news to the world. Taribo West is not dead.”
Victor Ikpeba tweeted, “My brother
Taribo West is alive. Please ignore rumours that he is dead.” Edema
Fuludu wrote, “I just spoke to Taribo West and he is hale and hearty.”
Austin Okon-Akpan added, “It’s so
disgusting when people put out silly talks on social media. PLEASE
TARIBO WEST IS DOING JUST FINE. Just got off the phone with him.”
Journalist Colin Udoh also tweeted,
“WARNING: Ignore rumors of the death of Taribo West. I have spoken to
him. He is alive, hale and hearty.”
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