The Enugu State Government will Immortalize former Captain and Coach of Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles, Late Christian Chukwu

Governor of the State, His Excellency Peter Ndubuisi Mbah states this on Wednesday when he, along with the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly and the Commissioner for youth and sports, paid a courtesy Visit to the family.

Governor Mbah while commiserating with the family said Mr Chukwu’s death was devastating adding that the state government will immortalize his name.

He described the late footballer, popularly known as Chairman, as a legend, who served his country unreservedly and inspired millions of youths. He said the Government and people of Enugu, his home State, were thoroughly devastated by the death.

Speaking to newsmen after consoling the family and also signing a condolence register, Mbah said, “We have come here to commiserate with the family and also to express our devastation. We are just as devastated by his death; and his death is not just a loss to the family alone, it is a loss to all of us, particularly the government and the people of Enugu State.

“As you know, our beloved brother and legend, Chairman Christian Chukwu is a household name that inspired a lot of young people. He represents a lot of values when it comes to sport globally not just even in Nigeria.

“So, we are so devastated by his death, but we have also come here to assure the family that this loss is not just theirs, this is our collective loss; that we are going to be with them all through this period of grief, and that we are also going to ensure that his name is immortalised.”

He also prayed for the peaceful repose of Chukwu’s soul and for fortitude on the part of his family to bear the irreparable loss.

Also with the governor at the round leather maestro’s residence were the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu and the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu.

Chukwu died on Saturday in Enugu aged 74.

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A delegation of National Grammar School Nike Old Boys Association led by its National President, Dr. Maxwell Ngene, paid a condolence visit on the family of Late Christian Chukwu to commiserate with them on the death of the football Legend.

Dr. Ngene, who spoke on behalf of the delegation described Late Chukwu as an esteemed alumnus of Nike Grammar School, who distinguished himself in his Football career.

He stated that Chukwu achieved global recognition and became a national hero through football and expressed the hope that he would be accorded well deserved national burial.

He noted that the Association was shocked at his sudden death, particularly when it was generally believed that he was on the part of recovery from his illness. He offered word of comfort to the family and encouraged them to find solace in their faith during the difficult time.

The President pledged the commitment of the Old Boys Association to contribute towards giving him a befitting burial.

Also speaking during the visit, former president of the Association, Barr. Ndukwo Gbuja, recalled Chukwu’s exploits as a footballer with Nike Grammar School, Rangers International and Green Eagles, noting that he left an indelible mark on the world of football.

   The Association offered prayers for peaceful repose of his soul.

In the delegation include notable names such as Dr. John Egbo, a three-time commissioner in Enugu State, Benedith Ugwu an Ex – Rangers and others.

Christian Chukwu also known as the “chairman” died on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in his home town in Enugu. He was a former captain and coach of the Nigeria Super Eagles and Rangers international Football Club where he won boith continental, national and global laurels

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Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governors of Enugu and Lagos States, Peter Mbah and Babajide Sanwo-Olu as well as the  former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) have expressed their sadness over the death of ex Super Eagles and rangers player/coach, Christian Chukwu

They extended their sympathy to the family, friends, and associates of the Nigerian football icon, Christian Chukwu, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 74 years. Chukwu’s departure leaves a void in the hearts of many football followers across the country.

A towering defender in Nigerian football, Chairman Chukwu captained the Green Eagles to a historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations victory and later coached the Super Eagles, which won a bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations under his leadership.

Nicknamed “Chairman” for his commanding presence and leadership on the field, Chukwu devoted his club career to Enugu Rangers, where he won multiple national titles and led the club to continental glory with their 1977 African Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.

President Tinubu in a statement issued Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, joined the football community in mourning the loss of a legend whose contributions to the beautiful game elevated Nigeria’s status globally.

He eulogised Chukwu for a trailblazing career defined by passion, discipline, and commitment to national pride.

“Christian Chukwu was more than a footballer and coach. He was a symbol of excellence and patriotism. He brought joy to millions, mentored a generation of footballers, and stood as a pillar of Nigerian brand and sportsmanship on and off the pitch.

“His legacies will continue to live on in the trophies he won, the lives he touched, and the exciting moments he provided to football fans and spectators on the field and in the technical area. We are forever grateful for his contributions to the sport we all love, and we will always remember him with great respect and admiration,” the President says.

President Tinubu prays for the repose of the departed sportsman and comfort for his family, hoping they find solace in his enduring legacy.

Similarly, Atiku Abubakar expressed sorrow over the death of Nigerian football legend, Chukwu who died in his home town in Enugu.

In a post via his official X handle on Saturday, Atiku described Chukwu as the image of grace, discipline, and dedication, both as a player and a coach.

According to the former Vice President, the football legend’s name stands tall in the rich history of Nigerian football, saying that his absence will be profoundly felt.

He wrote, “It is difficult to grasp that Chairman Christian Chukwu, MFR, has passed on. His name stands tall in the rich tapestry of Nigerian football. From the mid-70s, when he captained our beloved Green Eagles, to that glorious triumph at the 1980 Nations Cup, Chukwu was the image of grace, discipline, and dedication — both as a player and a coach.”

In his reaction, Mbah expressed deep grief over Chukwu’s passing, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.

The governor said, “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.

“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.

“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose,” he wrote.

In the same vein Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu described the death of Chukwu as a great loss to Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, mourned the passing of Chukwu, saying the Captain of the Green Eagles, who won the African Nations Cup in 1980, was a legend.

The governor described the death of the national icon who served as both player and coach to the national team as a painful loss to the nation, particularly to football lovers.

He also extended his condolences to the Chukwu family, the Enugu State Government and the Nigerian Football Federation on the passing of the ex-player of Enugu Rangers.

The NFF, NSC and expressed deep sorrow following the death of the former Green Eagles Captain  and  head coach.

Nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for his commanding presence and leadership qualities both at club level with Enugu Rangers and with the national team, Chukwu famously lifted the Unity Cup—the first major continental title for Nigeria—on Saturday, March 22, 1980, after receiving it from then-President Shehu Shagari at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Chairman of NSC, Shehu Dikko, described the death of Chukwu as a sad development.

Dikko said, “This news came to me as a big shock. Chairman is no more. On behalf of the Commission, the entire sporting fraternity, and indeed the Federal Government of Nigeria, I extend my condolences to his family and to the whole nation. Frankly, a big iroko tree has fallen. We are the chairmen leading the sector, but Christian Chukwu was 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 to this day, that name is even more popular than his given name.

Similarly, in a statement yesterday, the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, described Chukwu as a towering figure in Nigerian football.

Sanusi stated that the former Enugu Rangers coach was the definition of a strong, dedicated, and disciplined leader on and off the field.

The statement reads, “We have lost a good and great man. Chukwu was the definition of a strong, dedicated, and disciplined leader on and off the field. He was not nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for nothing. He embodied strength, vision, and consistency.

“We pray that the Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest and also grant his family, friends, and the Nigerian football fraternity the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

Also, Chairman of NPFL, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, described the late Chukwu as one of the icons of league football in Nigeria.

In his tribute to the late captain of Rangers International of Enugu, Elegbeleye said the story of club football in the country can not be complete without a good mention of Christian Chukwu.

“Christian Chukwu stands out in the annals of club football. He not only spent his entire football career in our league, he equally took to coaching the younger ones and went on to win the league as a player and a coach”, the NPFL Chairman noted.

Extending condolences to the immediate family and the country’s football family, Elegbeleye said, “we certainly have lost an icon of club football in Nigeria and on behalf of the NPFL Board, Clubs, Coaches, officials and players, I wish the family the strength to endure this loss.”

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By Amaechi Agbo

The Old Boys Association of National Grammar School Nike, has expressed with profound sadness the departure of one of theirs, Christian Chukwu.

Mr Chukwu who was a former student of Nigeria’s oldest secondary school founded in 1958, died on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at the age of 74

In a statement signed by the National President, National Grammar School Nike Old Boys Association, Dr. Maxwell Menkiti Ngene, while describing his death as a great loss, however added that the Association will take pride in the fact that Christian Chukwu’s achievements on and off the field reflected the values and excellence that school embodies

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved alumnus, Mr. Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu (MFR), on April 12, 2025. Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu, fondly called Chairman in soccer circles, was a legendary football player, captain, and coach who made us all proud with his exceptional footballing skills and numerous eye-catching achievements.

“As an old boy of National Grammar School Nike, Enugu, Christian Chukwu’s journey to football stardom began within the walls of our great school. He joined Enugu Rangers International Football Club while still a student of our Alma Mater, showcasing his prodigious innate talent and dedication to the sport he loved so much.

“Christian Chukwu went on to captain both Enugu Rangers International Football Club and the Nigerian national team (the Nigerian Green Eagles now known as the Super Eagles), leading them to their first Africa Cup of Nations victory in 1980. He was a pioneering figure in Nigerian football, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of footballers old our students.

“We take pride in the fact that Christian Chukwu’s achievements on and off the field reflect the values and excellence that our school embodies. His passing is a significant loss to our Alma Mater, Obe community, Nkanu land, Enugu State, and Nigeria, and we sincerely mourn the departure of an icon and a football phenomenon.

“May his memory be etched in our hearts, and may his legacy continue to inspire us to greatness. Rest in peace, Chairman Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu (MFR),£ the statement said

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A former captain and head coach of the Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu, is dead.

The former Enugu Rangers coach died at the age of 74 in the early hours of Saturday in his home state of Enugu.

However, the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear as of the time of filing this report.

His longtime teammate and friend, Dr. Olusegun Odegbami, confirmed the development in a post via his official X handle on Saturday.

Odegbami, who won the 1980 Africa Nation Cup with Chukwu, wrote, “My Chairman has passed on. This morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my bosom friend and teammate, one of the greatest football players in Nigeria’s football history, former captain and coach of Nigeria’s national football team, has passed on.”

Chukwu, born January 4, 1951, captained the Nigerian national team, then known as the Green Eagles, between 1974 and 1980. Chukwu captained the national team to its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 and finished as a runner-up in 1976 and 1978.

The Enugu-born legend also led the Enugu Rangers FC team that won the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1977.

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 the assistant coach of the team tagged the Golden Generation, the 1994 class of Super Eagles that qualified Nigeria for its first FIFA World Cup finals.

In October 1998, he was appointed coach of the Kenya national team, and from 2003 to 2005, he coached Nigeria, leading them to reach the semifinals at the 2004 African Cup of Nations.

Chukwu captained the national team to its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 and later led the Super Eagles to a bronze medal at the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia.

He was, however, sacked in June 2005 during the qualification campaign for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Chukwu was appointed Ranger’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer by the immediate past Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

He was a recipient of the honour, Member of the Federal Republic.

In 2019, Chukwu suffered prostate cancer, which affected his leg, which led the family to open a GoFundMe appeal to solicit funds for the Nigeria football legend’s medical treatment.

Businessman Femi Otedola eventually paid $50,000 for Chukwu’s treatment in the United Kingdom.

The $50,000 cheque was presented to Chukwu in Enugu by the Chief Operating Officer of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, Philip Akinola.

Also present were ex-governor Ugwuanyi, the former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, and a renowned sports journalist, Onochie Anibeze.

Chukwu, with support from the Enugu State Government, had already undergone initial surgery in Nigeria and had recuperated.

Punch Credited

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