CHRISTIAN CHUKWU EXITS IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
By Prince Harrison Jalla
Nigeria’s greatest captain of all time, Chairman Christian Chukwu, was laid to rest on Saturday, 16th August 2025, in his hometown of Obe, a few kilometers from Enugu, after a week-long series of events celebrating the former Green Eagles captain.
Kudos must go to the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Peter Mbah; the Enugu State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Loyds Ekweremadu; the Hon. Commissioner for Information; Ex-Rangers players; football supporters; PFAN; ex-footballers; and the good people of Enugu State. Christian Chukwu was indeed honoured in the true sense of the word.
Giant billboards bearing his posters were placed in strategic locations across Enugu State. At the various events held in his honour, the Governor was physically present—both at the Night of Tribute and in Obe, Chukwu’s hometown, to bid him farewell.
The Governor also footed the bills and covered the costs of the massive burial celebration, standing firmly behind the late legendary footballer’s family.
All generations of Rangers players, from the past to the present, alongside PFAN, ex-footballers, fans, and supporters in their thousands, thronged Chukwu’s hometown in droves to pay their last respects to a man who dedicated his entire life to serving his country and home state.
Among the eminent personalities present were the former Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election, His Excellency Peter Obi; Senator Victor Umeh; former IGP Onovo; Ambassador Fanny Amun (MON); Henry Nwosu (MON); Chief Segun Odegbami (MON); Emmanuel Amuneke (MON); Anambra State FA Chairman Chikelue Ilanyosi; Chairman of the NNL; veteran sports journalist George Aluo (representing the NFF President); accomplished journalist and Vanguard Editor Onochie Anibeze; NPFL Chief Executive Davidson Owumi; Europe-based businessman Azuka Asomugha; and Director of NFF Legal Services, Barrister Oke, among many others.
On the contrary, it was very disappointing and completely disrespectful not to see the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, and the NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, physically present to show solidarity at Chukwu’s final moment.
Even if a Super Eagles match was fixed for the same date, both the Chairman of the NSC and the NFF President should have chosen to be part of bidding farewell to the late former national team captain. No excuse would suffice. It was total negligence and dereliction of duty on their part in failing to give honour to whom honour was due.
This regrettable absence further shows that our sports administrators are not yet ready to turn a new leaf. Only urgent reforms, starting immediately with football, can salvage Nigerian sports.
