The resting place of Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji lies in a deplorable state in his hometown of Umudioka, Imo State.

Okwaraji, a hero who tragically lost his life on the pitch for Nigeria, was a prolific professional footballer born on May 19, 1964, in Orlu, Imo State.

He was a law graduate from the University of Rome, having pursued a master’s in international law while playing professionally at clubs like NK Dinamo Zagreb, VfB Stuttgart, and SSV Ulm 1946.

Okwaraji was part of the Nigerian national team that played at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations Cup in Morocco, where he scored one of the tournament’s fastest goals (60 seconds) against Cameroon, per ESPN.

He also represented Nigeria at the 1988 Seoul Olympics alongside stars like Samson Siasia, Rashidi Yekini, and Henry Nwosu. Tragically, on August 12, 1989, at age 25, he suffered a cardiac arrest in the 77th minute of a World Cup qualifier against Angola at Lagos National Stadium.

A failed ambulance and delayed medical response led to his death before 20,000 spectators, which remains an iconic moment for Nigeria. Okwaraji was laid to rest with a heroic burial in Umudioka, but his tomb has been neglected. In 2009, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola honoured him with a concrete bust at the stadium where he died.

A viral video showing the tomb has continued to go viral on Facebook. Ezeji Nnecky Chidinma said: "I even learned that he lost a life insurance policy worth a million pounds because he died in Nigeria. Nigeria is not worth dying for."

Okey Chinwuba added: "Nigeria is happening to people dat is still alive in quote ooo ,talk less of someone who is dead. May Nigeria never happen to u."

Timothy Agbamu Jr. suggested: "It's the duty of his family members to keep that place tidy, and clean... Even Bob Marley for Jamaica na his family de manage his graveside."