NSC boss Dikko mourns passing of Christian Chukwu
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has described the death of the national team’s most iconic captain, Christian ‘Chairman’ Chukwu, as a sad development.
Mallam Dikko spoke minutes after receiving the shocking news from Chukwu’s teammate, Dr. Segun Odegbami.
His words: “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.
“Chairman Chukwu is synonymous with Nigerian football. He lifted our first major trophy at the 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.”
“As a player, coach, or administrator, Chairman stamped his feet in the annals of Nigerian football. I had a very good working relationship with him for decades, and we had 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 for Nigerian football.
“One thing that stands out is Chairman’s passion for Nigerian football, along with his humility and peaceful nature throughout his life. Even in his latter days, he was a regular commentator on the state of Nigerian football. He was one of the legends whose views I always looked forward to reading. We will do everything within our means to immortalise him and ensure that his dream for Nigerian football is sustained,” added Dikko.
