Nigeria’s Sokoto State Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Mustapha Mohammed, has appealed to Ugandan football club Vipers SC to sign another Nigerian player in honour of the late Abubakar Lawal.
Lawal, a key player in Vipers SC’s domestic double-winning campaign in the 2022/23 season, tragically passed away on February 24, 2025, and was laid to rest in Sokoto, Nigeria on March 3.
Mohammed urges Vipers SC to sign another Nigerian
Dr. Mohammed praised Vipers SC for their support, highlighting the club’s role in ensuring Lawal’s body was returned to Nigeria for a decent burial.
He also commended the club’s director, Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa, for covering the transportation expenses and pledging to continue paying Lawal’s salary to his family for six months.
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“Vipers SC has played a very beautiful role since the death of Lawal. We have heard from Mr. Kenneth Muwanga and the Nigerian embassy about the great role they have played, and the amicable stay and peaceful coexistence Lawal had with the club. We wish the club president, entire management, players, and the people of Uganda the very best,” Dr. Mohammed said.
“To the Vipers’ President, we have heard a lot about what you have done through our Nigerian embassy. We have laid our brother to rest, and there is nothing more we can do. However, we are looking forward to you taking another Nigerian player to replace him. We are already brothers and sisters, and I look forward to you contacting me so we can identify a competent Nigerian footballer to come to Uganda and replace Lawal,” he added.
Lawal’s brother, Mansoor, expressed gratitude to Vipers SC and its leadership for their support, while also appealing to the Ugandan authorities to ensure justice is served regarding his brother’s death.
He said, “It is very unfortunate that we lost Abubakar Lawal. He was the breadwinner of our family. Allah gives and Allah takes. We appreciate Vipers SC and Dr. Mulindwa for ensuring that his body was brought back to Sokoto for a decent burial. We also appeal to the authorities in Uganda to ensure justice is served regarding his death.”
The request to sign another Nigerian player is seen as a way to continue Lawal’s legacy and strengthen the bond between Vipers SC and Nigeria.
