Boniface Ihiasota
Former Super Eagles player and coach Christian Chukwu, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer which has affected one of his leg and needs to undergo surgery urgently. A patron of Chukwu’s former club, Enugu Rangers FC, Benson Ezeomeogo Ejindu, broke the news of the ailment at the weekend.
Nigeria billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola has offered to pay the sum of $50,000 needed by the ex-Super Eagles captain.
The ailing 68-year-old was an assistant coach to Clemens Westerhof when Nigeria won a second Africa Cup of Nations title in 1994 before leading the team to a third-place finish at the 2004 Afcon.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has also agreed to support former defender who guided the country to its first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980.
Speaking to reporters, Otedola said he would foot the entire cost of the operation as a “token of support to a great Nigerian who served his country to the best of his ability”.
Chukwu also served as assistant coach of the first team to win a FIFA World Cup trophy for Nigeria – the Golden Eaglets that triumphed at the FIFA U16 World Cup in China in 1985.
He was also assistant coach of the team tagged the Golden Generation – the 1994 Class of Super Eagles that qualified Nigeria for her first FIFA World Cup finals.
Between 2002 and 2005, Chukwu was head coach of the Super Eagles, leading the team to bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
Mr. Sunny Ndukwu, a public affairs analyst and Social Media Influencer has commended the Mr. Otedola for his act of kindness.
In a letter to the business mogul, Ndukwu described him as a man with a large heart and an investor of repute whose role in the economic growth Nigeria has proven him to be a worthy statesman who should be held in high esteem.
He said Nigerians; particularly sports enthusiasts across the Country appreciate the act of generosity. He also mentioned that this would not be the first time Otedola have been in the news when it comes to giving back to the society through his philanthropic gestures.
Mr. Ndukwu further urged him not to relent in his act of generosity, stating that his reward awaits him, while wishing the ex skipper of the Nigerian national team a successful surgery very soon.
