The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, has moaned the death of the national team’s most iconic captain, Christian ‘Chairman’ Chukwu.
The Director of Information and Public Relations, NSC, Mrs Kehinde Ajayi, said in a press release that Dikko spoke minutes after receiving the shocking news from Chukwu’s team mate, Dr. Segun Odegbami.
He said: “This news came to me as a big shock. Chairman is no more.
“On behalf of the Commission and the entire sporting fraternity and indeed the Federal Government of Nigeria, I extend my condolences to his family and indeed the whole of Nigeria.
“Frankly, a big iroko tree has fallen. We are the chairmen leading the sector but Christian Chukwu is the original chairman on the pitch.
“He was so commanding and charismatic, decisive and assuring on the pitch that the late Ernest Okonkwo called him chairman and till today that name Chairman is even more popular than his original name.
“Chairman Chukwu is synonymous with Nigerian football. He lifted our first major trophy in that 1980 AFCON.
“Growing up, that day stands out. Many of us draw our passion for Nigerian football from that tournament. Chairman was the main catalyst of that feat, motivating and leading the team from the foundation to success .”
Dikko added: “Whether as a player, coach or administrator, Chairman stamped his feet in the annals of Nigerian football and I had a very good working relationship with him for decades and we have been in constant touch.
“I just had a meeting with Dr. Segun Odegbami earlier this week. This is happening at a time when we need the experience and drive of the likes of Chairman to push through our vision at the Commission. This is a very gloomy day in Nigerian football.
“One thing that stands out is Chairman’s passion for Nigerian football and his humility and peaceful nature all his life. Even in his latter days, he was a regular commentator on the state of Nigerian football.
“He is always one of the legends I look forward to reading his views on developments in the game. We will do everything within our means to immortalise him and make sure that his dream for Nigerian football is sustained.”
The NSC Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, lent his voice to the condolences, saying, “This is really a sad day for Nigerian football. We all grew up loving this game because of people like Chairman Chukwu. I pray God gives his family and in fact every Nigerian football faithful the fortitude to bear this colossal loss.”
Chukwu earned his place in Nigerian football folklore as captain of the victorious Africa Cup of Nations team in the ’70s and ’80. He was the national team captain between 1974 and 1980.
In a meritorious football career spanning about four decades, Chukwu was the Super Eagles Chief Coach from 2003-2005, leading them to bronze at 2004 AFCON.
He was also the head coach of the Kenyan national team in 1998 and handled clubs like Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Heartland FC) and Rangers International.
Notably, Chukwu was the assistant coach to Sebastian Brodericks when the Baby Eagles became the first African team to win a FIFA-organised tournament at the U-16 World Cup in 1985.
As an administrator, he was the General Manager/CEO of Rangers International FC.
