Christian Chukwu for burial. *As Gov. Mbah pledges to immortalise him

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Chairman, Christian Chukwu

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By Iheanyi Chukwudi

The remains of Nigerian football legend, Christian Chukwu, will tomorrow, Saturday, August 16, 2025, be laid to rest at his country home in Obe, Nkanu West Local Government of Enugu State.

Chukwu, fondly called “Chairman” by fans and teammates, died on April 12, 2025, at the age of 74.

At the Night of Tributes in honour of the former Green Eagles captain at the Enugu International Conference Centre, the Enugu State Government which undertook to sponsor his burial and constituted a burial committee chaired by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu Jr., said it will immortalise him.

Governor of the State who spoke at the event described the late Chukwu as a national treasure whose life and career transcended sport and spoke directly to the soul of the nation.

Mbah described Chukwu as a national treasure whose life and career transcended sport and spoke directly to the soul of the nation, assuring that Chukwu’s legacy would be preserved through concrete actions, including the retirement of the iconic Number 5 jersey he wore throughout his Rangers International FC career.

He said, “As a fitting tribute to his exploits as a central defender, we will be retiring the Number 5 that Chairman Chukwu proudly wore."

Chukwu's final funeral rites commenced on Sunday, August 10, 2025, with a Service of Songs at St. Andrew’s Basilica Anglican Church, Trans Ekulu, Enugu, and a colloquium on “The Life and Times of Christian Chukwu, the Chairman”, on Thursday, August 14, at the Enugu Sports Club.

On Friday, August 15, there was a novelty match in his honour at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, at 4:00 p.m and tomorrow,

Saturday, August 16, 2025, his remains will lie in state at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, at 7:30 a.m.

The funeral mass will follow at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Obe, at 11:00 a.m., after which he will be laid to rest at his country home in Obe.