Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, visited the families of two legendary footballers – Christian Chukwu in Enugu and Christian Isiadinso in Enugu-Ukwu – who recently passed on.
He lamented, “regrettably, it is painfully evident that our country has not shown these icons the kindness and recognition they truly deserve.”
Obi said: “I had the honour of visiting the families of two legendary footballers – Christian Chukwu in Enugu and Christian Isiadinso in Enugu-Ukwu – who recently passed on. Their immense contributions to Nigerian football, particularly through their roles in the revered Old Rangers team, left an indelible mark on our nation’s history and collective memory. Besides playing for the national team, Chukwu also coached the Super Eagles for many years and won laurels both as a player and as a coach.
“These men were not just sportsmen; they were national icons and patriots whose exploits on the field brought joy, hope, and pride to millions of Nigerians. Their legacy lives on in the hearts of many. I also visited another legend, a very close associate of Chukwu, Emmanuel Okala, to personally commiserate with him and other surviving members of the team—men whose dedication, discipline, and passion for the game made them timeless role models.
“Regrettably, it is painfully evident that our country has not shown these icons the kindness and recognition they truly deserve. During my tenure as Governor, I began the payment of monthly stipends to members of the Old Rangers. I worked closely with many of them, both in the office and afterwards. More recently, I took personal responsibility for the burial expenses of two of them. Sadly—and tellingly—not a single representative from the Federal Government was present on either occasion.
“As I said during the visit, we must not wait until our heroes are gone before we celebrate them. Let us honour them while they are still with us and continue to preserve their memories when they depart. May the souls of Christian Chukwu and Christian Isiadinso rest in peace, and may their families find strength and comfort during this time of grief.”
Today, I had the honour of visiting the families of two legendary footballers – Christian Chukwu in Enugu and Christian Isiadinso in Enugu-Ukwu – who recently passed on. Their immense contributions to Nigerian football, particularly through their roles in the revered Old Rangers… pic.twitter.com/sBk1PV0D4Y
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) April 19, 2025
