Football Legend Christian Chukwu Laid to Rest in His Nkanu Hometown of Enugu State

Christian Chukwu was laid to rest today in his Nkanu hometown of Enugu State

Many decades ago, there was a crack football outfit called the East Central State Academicals. The ECSA, was re-established in 1971 and coached by the legendary Dan Anyiam. It was a gathering of the best of the best school boy footballers from East Central State, today’s Southeast zone.

Our school, Christ the King College Onitsha, CKC, had three players in that starting eleven, Kenneth Ilodigwe, Kendo, Attacker, my classmate, Innocent Nwokeji, Stagger, Defender and Dominic Ezeani, Hugo Harris. Eternal Defender for Rangers and Green Eagles and Captain of the CKC football team, the greatest function in our College. Other players in the team included Patrick Ekeji, Godwin Aristo Pele Ogbueze. They were all legendary.

Christian Chukwu was laid to rest today in his Nkanu hometown of Enugu State

So, in 1971, when Dom Ezeani returned from an Academicals camp at Enugu, he regaled a gathering of CKC boys that he has seen the greatest defender in Nigeria, and that his name is Christian Chukwu, who plays for the National Grammar School, Nike.

This was a thunderbolt! Dom Ezeani, himself, whom we all regarded as one of the all-time great defenders in football, school boy international, returns from the camp, and tells everyone that he has found someone else better than him, whom he fully endorsed as the best.

That was extremely tough news for CKC boys, and the entire football team. To top it all, nobody has ever heard of such name Christian Chukwu, not to talk of their school. But coming from Dom Ezeani, everyone got the full import of such news.

Christian Chukwu was laid to rest today in his Nkanu hometown of Enugu State

So we all adopted a wait and see approach, with great anxiety and expectancy to see this so-called Christian Chukwu in action. This did not take long when the ECSA took on all the states in the 1971 competition.

You need to see ECSA versus Lagos State, parading the likes of Emilio John and Bendel State armed with the likes of Okwufuleze, deadly attackers, dribblers and shooters, then you see Chukwu and Ezeani partnership, Jerseys Number 5 and 6 respectively, and you get an education.

Christian Chukwu took on responsibilities for the happiness of millions of people of ECS long before he wore the mantle for Rangers and All Nigeria.

Christian Chukwu was laid to rest today in his Nkanu hometown of Enugu State

And each outing he provided effort, skills, leadership and happiness. He was a pioneer of that era when you played football from the heart.

Later in life, I worked beside him in the League as Chairman of ACB Football Club 1988 to 1990, as Vice Chairman of the Pro league and thereafter in the National teams from 1991,as Vice chairman of the NFA.

So, I happen to be one of the few who worked beside him or with him in several roles in the Nigerian Pro League and the National teams. I attest that he is a great gentleman, I attest that Christian Chukwu is a warrior, that Christian Chukwu is a man to go to battle with, I also attest that this warrior is also a peacemaker.

I recall that evening on October 8th1994, Nigeria qualified for the 1994 World Cup Finals, playing out a draw in Algiers and our team was unhappy with the Football Administration.

Peter Obi has joined Nigerians in mourning football legend Christian “Chairman” Chukwu

It was Christian Chukwu that I approached and he effectively mediated. Again, in the incredible atmosphere that surfaced at our World Cup USA 94 Foxboro camp, the peacemaking was led by Chairman Christian Chukwu.

I pay tribute on my behalf and on behalf of my generation of fans and administrators of Nigeria football who worked with him, a gentle giant, a courteous person in spite of accomplishments.

No other Nigerian surpasses Christian Chukwu standing to the National anthem across several competitions, locally and internationally, for more than forty years, as player and coach.

Christian Chukwu

A great man has passed away. A servant of Nigeria. He carried our torch with respect, hard work and courteousness.

We salute his wife and the family and all his relatives that provided Christian Chukwu to Nigeria. We share this pain and commend the sacrifice you have made to Nigeria. The Good Lord will grant you abiding consolation.

Farewell Chairman Christian Chukwu. Dom Ezeani was right. He saw very early this capacity and mission you heldas the greatest central defender Nigeria ever had. May the Good Lord grant you rest; Farewell. May your kind increase.