Former Super Eagles defender Abdul Sule has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Sani Zubairu, President of the Nigeria Football Referees Association, who died on Monday and was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites in Bauchi.

 

Sule, who also serves as President of Cross Cultures Nigeria, described Zubairu’s death as a significant loss to Nigeria’s football community. He extended his condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for strength and comfort in this difficult time.

 

“His passing is a huge loss to the football fraternity in Nigeria. I pray that God grants his family the fortitude to bear this loss,” Sule said.

Zubairu’s death has drawn reactions from stakeholders across Nigerian football, with many acknowledging his contributions to the development and administration of refereeing in the country.

 

As head of the NFRA, he played a key role in advancing standards and professionalism among match officials nationwide.

Sule also used the moment to highlight the work of the Cross Cultures Project Association, a non-profit organization committed to promoting peace, social cohesion, and gender equality through sports.

 

Founded in Denmark, the organization focuses on using football as a tool to bridge ethnic, social, and religious divides, fostering peaceful coexistence among communities.

 

One of its flagship initiatives, the Open Fun Football Schools programme, has been instrumental in driving sustainable social impact across participating regions.

According to Sule, the effectiveness of the initiative is evident in its global reach. The programme has been implemented in 23 countries, benefiting more than 1.8 million people and engaging over 108,000 volunteers since its inception in 1998.

 

He emphasized that such initiatives remain vital in leveraging sports as a platform for development, unity, and long-term peacebuilding.

 

The late Zubairu’s legacy, Sule noted, will continue to inspire efforts aimed at strengthening football administration and community engagement across Nigeria.