Journey Of Rare Legend:Chairman Chukwu Goes Home
By Chuks Ibegbu
When the Biafran war was about to end and Biafra was facing threatening reverses at various war fronts, it behoved the Biafra High Command to form a Suicide Squad to tackle the Nigeria fiercely rampaging troops. That was the genesis of the Biafra Rangers.
But shortly ,the bloody civil war ended on a note of No Victor ,No Vanquished. The Biafra Rangers then transformed to The Enugu Rangers International Football Club with the pioneer players, young men that were billed to confront the rampaging Nigeria troops in a suicide Kamikaze manner.
The energy set for such suicide mission was then absorbed in football trajectory Among the early pioneer players was Chairman Christian Chukwu who was to be the Captain for many years. Other pioneers included Nwabueze Nwankwo. Aloy Atuegbu, Stanley Okoronkwo, Jaz Bukana,Emmanuel Okala,Nnamdi Nwokocha and so on
The club spell bound Ndigbo just coming out of the war with victories at Nigeria football scene and later Africa football arena .
Ndigbo and Nigerians saw the club as their darling club as its fame became global.
Chairman Christian Chukwu displayed a leadership verve that ensured and earned the club the admiration of all Nigerians.
Some of its members later played for Green Eagles winning several laurels for Nigeria.
In those days ,football had not become a global money spinner as it is today, else Chairman Chukwu and his class would have been among the richest Africans today.
To show appreciation for their patriotism, Chairman Chukwu and other Rangers Players were honoured by the federal Government in those days
Chairman Christian Chukwu has answered the call of nature ,a journey all of us must undertake one day .
He paid his dues gloriously.
May his gentle soul rest in the bosom of the Lord as he joins others in the Great Beyond.
It’s no need emphasising the need by all south East states and Nigeria Government to immortalise this football legend and Patriot.
Fare Thee Well Chairman!
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
