By George Aluo
Rangers patron, Benson Ejindu has given kudos to NFF president, Amaju Melvin Pinnick for his quick intervention on Christian Chukwu’s health challenge.
Ejindu in a telephone chat with The Nigerian Xpress Sports from North Carolina, USA said Amaju has once again shown that the right man is on the saddle at the Glass House.
“I read the press statement by NFF. I m impressed with the move Amaju has made. He has shown that he is the right man for the job, I say kudos to him. I want him to fast track the Foundation for ex internationals. I have been harping on this since 2015 and I m happy the soccer federation is now thinking in that direction,” Ejindu said.
Ejindu it is recalled was the man that bailed out Samson Siasia’s Dream Team when they were stranded in Atlanta enroute Brazil for the Rio 2016 Olympics where they eventually won bronze for Nigeria.
Ejindu(with the ball) and Siasia’s Dream Team in Atlanta, USA before the Olympics in Rio
NFF president, Amaju, following the alarm raised by Ejindu as published in The Nigerian Xpress Sports said immediate step would be taken to support Christian Chukwu to overcome his present health challenges and get back on his feet soonest.
Amaju who is out of the country told thenff.com on Sunday that he has mandated the Chairman of Enugu State Football Association and Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Hon. Chidi Ofo Okenwa to pay a visit to the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations –winning team captain and get the details of his challenges and what needs to be done to return him to good health.
“I am not in Nigeria presently but I have asked the NFF Acting President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi to take full charge and ensure that this matter is treated promptly. It was for this kind of development that I spoke about the welfare foundation for our legends at the 2nd AITEO-NFF Awards in Lagos on 1st April 2019. The NFF would always be there to lend support to our legends in their hour of need,” Pinnick said. The NFF President, who is also 1st Vice President of CAF and President of AFCON, is on his way to Cairo, Egypt for final inspection of facilities for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, as well as meetings of the AFCON organizing committee and CAF Exco ahead of Friday’s draw ceremony for the championship.
Early reports on the health challenges of the former Nigeria defence stalwart indicated that there is need to raise the sum of $50,000 for his round trip to the United States of America, surgery, medication and general after-surgery care. A patron of Chukwu’s former club, Enugu Rangers FC, Mr. Benson Ezeomeogo Ejindu made this known in a Facebook post seeking to raise funds for the legend.