Football Legend, Franz Beckenbauer Dies At 78

German football legend and one of the best defensive players that ever graced the game, Franz Beckenbauer, has died aged 78, the family confirmed on Monday.

Beckenbauer was the first person to win the the World Cup as a player and a coach. He was captain of West Germany in 1974 and lifted the trophy again as manager in 1990 when the Manshafft defeated Argentina captained by Diego Maradona in the final.

The former iconic defender played 582 times for Bayern Munich, winning the German top flight as both as a player and a manager.

Nicknamed Der Kaiser, as a player he also won the European Championship in 1972, as well as the Ballon d’Or twice.

A statement from the Beckenbauer family to German news agency DPA read: “It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family.

“We ask that you allow us to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions.”

One of his most memorable time as a player was when he scored four goals at the 1966 World Cup hosted by England at the age of just 20 and winning the honour as the tournament’s best young player.

Former Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, Doyin Okupe has resigned his membership in the party.

In a letter addressed to the Labour Party National Chairman, dated 8 January 2024, Okupe said his decision to leave the party was on ideological grounds.

He said it would be difficult for him to remain in the Labour Party because he has been a rightist and a Liberal Democrat all his life while the Party is “ideologically rooted in the left of the center.”

The letter posted on his official X handle on Monday reads: “I submit herewith my letter of resignation from the Labour Party with effect from today. You will recall that our flagbearer, Mr Peter Obi, myself, and others left the PDP abruptly and had to look for a special-purpose vehicle in which to contest the 2023 Presidential Elections.

“The Labour Party, your good self, and other members of your executives provided us with this veritable platform with no burdensomeness whatsoever and for which we were extremely grateful.

“We did contest the election on the platform of the Labour Party and lost. This makes it exceedingly difficult for me to continue to stay in the Labour Party which is ideologically rooted in the left of the center.

“I have been a rightist and a Liberal Democrat all my entire life. It is therefore this ideological conflict that makes me seek an exit so that I may continue my political activities with liberalism, sincerity and freedom.

“I wish to thank you in particular and other members of the leadership of the party for the cordiality and respect accorded to me as the Director General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organization.

“I wish you and the party success in your future endeavors. Long live the Labour Party. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your brother, friend and compatriot, Omooba (Dr Doyin Okupe, Former Director General Obi-Datti Campaign Organization.”

It would be recalled that in December 2022, Okupe had after being found guilty by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on some charges bordering on money laundering, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was made to pay N500,000 fine or face a two-year imprisonment sentence.

Peter Obi the LP presidential candidate subsequently announced Okupe’s resignation as DG of the party’s presidential campaign organisation.

Announcing his resignation from LP on Monday Okupe said: “Today I resigned my membership from #LabourParty solely on ideological grounds, I have neither grouse or guile against anyone either within the leadership or membership of the party.”