French Ligue 1 club, Lille, has extended a heartfelt gesture to Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, in the form of a private jet to facilitate his return to Nigeria for his father’s burial rites.

 

Osimhen took to Twitter on Sunday morning to announce the passing of his father, Mr. Patrick Osimhen, 80, who succumbed to a brief illness in Lagos on Saturday night.

 

“RIP dad. No words to describe this feeling,” Osimhen tweeted, expressing his grief.

 

Amaju Pinnick, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, also expressed condolences to Osimhen and disclosed that Lille has provided a private aircraft for his return to Nigeria to be with his family during this sorrowful time, and possibly for the burial rites.

 

“I have spoken to Victor Osimhen and expressed the sorrow of the NFF and the entire Nigerian Football family,” Pinnick said.

 

“His club, Lille OSC of France have given him a private aircraft to come to Nigeria to be with his family and probably for the burial rites. We have applied for landing permit but we are yet to get this. However, we are still on it and hopeful for the sake of the young lad.

 

“The loss of either parent is usually a moment of heartbreak for anyone. We condole with Victor (Osimhen) at this moment and pray that God will grant his late father eternal rest, while also granting the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

 

Lille also paid their respects to Osimhen’s father on Twitter, stating, “Today we learned with great sadness of the passing of Osimhen’s father.”

 

“The entire LOSC family is joined in grief with Victor and his family. He has our full support during this difficult time.”