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Opinion: Christian Chukwu: Beyond the gory optics-Emeka Oparah

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7 years ago

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By Emeka Oparah

I have just read the cheering news from the Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Ogbuagu Anikwe, shared by Ikem Okuhu, regarding the health condition of former Green Eagles Captain and former Super Eagles Coach, “Chairman” Christian Chukwu. While the statement has put the issues of the condition and treatment of Chukwu in proper perspective, it has reminded me of something I had almost forgotten. And I mean the haste with which Nigerians rush to press with news of death and sickness of other people (even as they hide theirs) without regards to the feelings of the sick or deceased, their relatives and friends.

In as much as I know we all must die some day or even lose our glow and bounce due to circumstances of unavoidable distress of ill-health, I believe we must be mindful of and sensitive to the feelings of others. Naturally, human beings love to retain the best, the most exciting and most flattering images of themselves and their loved ones well into old age and long after their demise. It is because of this that many refuse to see the dead bodies of loved ones-so they do not degrade the mental picture of the person in their psychological possession.

As a personal rule-and I strongly recommend this to you-I always seek, find and use the best photos of people-living or not-whenever I write about them. It is a good habit to cultivate, I must say. So, I’m totally miffed when I see ghastly photos of the dead or injured. I feel even worse when I’m confronted by unflattering photos of otherwise bubbly, lively, ebullient people who are known or related to me. For those familiar with my timeline, I always use awesome photos of my late father and late younger brother and indeed all my departed friends and relatives for that is how I want to remember them.

So, you can imagine how I felt when I saw “Chairman” Christian Chukwu in those sorry photos looking poorly, aged, drawn, gaunt, really sick requiring assistance. I doubt that Chukwu knew when those photos and videos were made much less sanction their distribution. It is unfair. What is even more unfair is the fund-raiser purported to generate money to fly him abroad for “unnecessary “ further attention (according to the honorable commissioner). When you juxtapose the campaign against Anikwe’s statement today, you will realize the lack of charity and discretion in the process.

Beyond the goriness of the images and the gracelessness of their deployment, there is the more consequential issue of the welfare of sportsmen and women and indeed all who have represented Nigeria at international sports events. Chukwu’s teammate, Segun Odegbami, in a recent write up lamented the condition of George Omokaro, another ex-Green Eagle, who was languishing on admission at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

He said: “…my friend and teammate in the Green Eagles, George Omokaro, has been in UBTH for several weeks now recuperating from another one of several surgeries he has undergone for debilitating arthritis in both knees in india and Nigeria in the past 5 years or so. This time, the new surgery was to extract stones from his kidney. For all the over 5 years he has been bedridden, jobless, hopeless and with an entire family to feed, he has been without any major financial support.”

“His (Omakoaro’s) situation weighs heavily on my mind. I wish I was in a position top do something, anything for him and others like him in the early stages of old age with their attendant illnesses that cannot be divorced from our intensive participation in sports at a young age without the essential healthcare and welfare to take care of us in old age”, Odegbami lamented.

Like Odegbami, Omokaro ‘s and Chukwu’s conditions with heavily on my mind, and I’m sad I cannot do much for those heroes, who gave part of their lives for Nigeria. By the way, I met Chukwu at the 2018 NFF Awards at the Eko Hotels, Lagos, and I recall telling a friend that I wasn’t happy the way he and his teammate and buddy, Emmanuel Okala, the former Green Eagles Goalkeeper and erstwhile Goalkeeper Trainer for the Super Eagles, looked. Okala is known to have challenges with his eyesight and that evening he looked poorly too. Yet, Chukwu’s case is different, better actually, in view of that statement by Mr. Anikwe, which confirmed the Green Eagles former captain as a employee of Enugu State Government.

I was actuated by the graciousness of billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola’s reported willingness to pick up Chukwu’s medical bill. I was also impressed by the effort of Amaju Pinnick-led Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to assist. I, however, think a sustainable platform should be established to take care of our national heroes. This cannot be over-emphasized. Whenever I see “Reserved Parking” for Servicemen and Veterans in Malls and public places in the United States, I feel emotional. In most US stores, Servicemen and Veterans are granted 30% discount on all their shopping and online purchases. Isn’t that commendable? And why can we not emulate such an honorable practice?

“The labors of our heroes past shall never be in vain,” says our National Anthem. Let’s mean it in words and indeed. I wish Chukwu, Omokaro and all other Green Eagles and indeed sportsmen and women and other Nigerian heroes the very best. Meanwhile, I must urge circumspection in the use of photos and videos of the sick and the dead. Personally, I have left so many good photos on Facebook you do not have an excuse not to use one to celebrate me(alive or dead)I beg of you.

Oparah, a Corporatre Communications practitioner, sent this piece from Lagos.

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I Won’t Be Intimidated, Seun Okinbaloye Replies Wike

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5 hours ago

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April 6, 2026

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Channels Television anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, has said he is not afraid and will not be intimidated following controversy surrounding remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while also thanking Nigerians and organisations for their support.

Okinbaloye made this known during a broadcast on Sunday, where he acknowledged the outpouring of solidarity from civil society groups, viewers, and both local and international organisations.

“I sincerely want to thank civil society organisations, our viewers, for your love and your comments and your solidarity… Your support is deeply appreciated and reinforces our collective commitment to truth and accountability,” he said.

The anchor warned that democracy could be undermined if dissenting voices are silenced, stating that “our democracy is in danger if we allow one way traffic in balloting.”

He stressed that his comments were not directed at any political group but at all Nigerians, adding that “this is not a warning to the opposition or the ruling party, but to all Nigerians who believe in the development of our nation.”

Okinbaloye disclosed that he received reassurances regarding his safety, noting “the ongoing reassurance from the Department of State Services,” and also revealed that “I also received a call from the Honourable Minister who clarified that the intention was not as conveyed.”

Despite the clarification, he cautioned against the use of inflammatory language, saying “violent rhetoric or suggestive threats are never appropriate responses to dissent in a democratic society,” especially during an election period when “clear and consistent assurances of safety are critical.”

He added that such statements could create risks if misinterpreted, warning that “we must not create an environment where such statements can be exploited by those with harmful intentions.”

Reaffirming his position, Okinbaloye said, “Let me be clear, I’m not afraid, and I will never be intimidated,” adding that journalism “grounded in ethics and global best practices remains a duty to the public, not a concession to power.”
The anchor maintained that he would continue to hold public officials accountable, stating, “I will continue to do what I love, asking the necessary questions, holding power to account… If that commitment comes at a cost, so be it.”

The controversy followed remarks by Wike during a media parley in Abuja, where he reacted to Okinbaloye’s comments on a Channels Television programme discussing the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress and its implications for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections.

Okinbaloye had raised concerns about the possibility of a one-party state, a position the minister criticised as inappropriate for a journalist.

Although Wike later clarified that he did not intend physical harm, his aide, Lere Olayinka, said the remark was made “in a hyperbolic context… without intent,” explaining that the minister was responding to what he perceived as the anchor’s involvement in political commentary rather than neutral moderation.

Olayinka added, “The Minister never meant that he would shoot Seun Okinbaloye. What he meant was that he was angry seeing Okinbaloye descending into the political arena by speaking as an interested party, instead of an interviewer.”

However, Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the minister’s statement, describing it as “reckless and violent,” and warning that such language could incite attacks on journalists and undermine press freedom.

The organisation said the remark “carries the danger of normalising violence and encouraging the targeting of journalists for just doing their job,” stressing that such comments from public officials are unacceptable.

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Gov Adeleke Commends MicCom Legacy As Family Launches N150m Engineering Endowment at OAU

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3 days ago

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April 3, 2026

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The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has commended the legacy of indigenous manufacturing firm MicCom Cables and Wires, describing it as a symbol of Nigerian innovation and industrial resilience.

Speaking at the inauguration of a ₦150 million MicCom Memorial Endowment for Engineering Development at Obafemi Awolowo University, Adeleke said the company’s founders, the late Engr. Michael Ayantunde Ponnle and Engr. (Mrs.) Comfort Olufunke Ponnle, demonstrated that Nigerian engineers can compete globally.

Delivering his address, Governor Adeleke described the occasion as both a moment of remembrance and a celebration of a legacy that continues to shape the future of engineering in Nigeria.

“We are remembering two exceptional lives, while celebrating a legacy that continues to build, teach, and inspire even beyond their passing,” the governor said.

He highlighted the pioneering roles of the late couple in advancing indigenous manufacturing through MicCom Cables and Wires, at a time when Nigeria heavily relied on imported engineering technologies. Their bold commitment to local innovation, Adeleke noted, demonstrated the capacity of Nigerian engineers to compete on the global stage.

The governor emphasized that the Ponnles exemplified a rare partnership built on shared vision and complementary strengths, with Engr. Michael Ponnle providing leadership in enterprise development, while Engr. (Mrs.) Comfort Ponnle was known for her technical discipline and operational excellence.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of MicCom Cables & Wires Ltd, Bukola Adubi, stated that the endowment is designed to sustain their parents’ legacy while supporting the development of future generations of engineers.

“The endowment being inaugurated today is more than a ceremonial gesture; it is a purposeful commitment to the future of engineering, innovation, and technological advancement in Nigeria. Established in honour of Late Engr. Michael Ayantunde Ponnle, FNSE, OON, OFR, and Late Engr. (Mrs.) Comfort Olufunke Ponnle, FNSE, the fund seeks to immortalize their remarkable legacy while creating a lasting platform for the development of future engineers,” she said.

Adubi added that the Ponnles were pioneers in Nigeria’s industrial sector, having founded one of the country’s first indigenous cable manufacturing companies at a time when local production capacity was still evolving.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Simeon Bamire, described the MicCom Memorial Endowment Fund as a visionary initiative that will create opportunities for future engineers through scholarships, research support, and upgraded facilities.

“The ₦150 Million MicCom Memorial Endowment Fund represents a strategic investment in engineering education and innovation. This fund will foster academic excellence through cutting-edge research, provide scholarships to deserving students, upgrade facilities, and nurture the next generation of engineers equipped to tackle Nigeria and Africa’s most pressing technological and infrastructural challenges,” he said.

The inauguration ceremony brought together dignitaries from academia, government, industry, and traditional institutions, including Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Chief Dele Momodu, celebrating the enduring legacy of the Ponnles and their contribution to Nigeria’s engineering and manufacturing sectors.

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ADC: Timi Frank Warns INEC, APC Against Setting Nigeria on Fire, Seeks America’s Intervention

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4 days ago

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April 2, 2026

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A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has warned that recent actions involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could destabilise Nigeria’s democratic system if not urgently addressed.

Frank also called on the United States government, including President Donald Trump, to intervene in safeguarding democracy in Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Frank reacted to a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend recognition of the leadership of the ADC, including that of David Mark, as well as a rival claim by Nafiu Bala Gombe, pending the determination of a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

He alleged that the development reflects a growing pattern of interference in opposition parties, warning that such actions could “set Nigeria on fire.”

“INEC and the APC-led government appear to be taking steps that threaten the very foundation of our democracy,” Frank said, adding that recent developments suggest a coordinated attempt to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Frank drew parallels with the regime of former Head of State, Sani Abacha, alleging that current trends mirror past efforts to suppress democratic institutions.
He also expressed concern over the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, claiming they signal a drift towards authoritarianism.

“Recent developments raise serious concerns about the future of democratic governance in Nigeria,” he said.
The activist further alleged that internal crises within opposition parties—including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, Social Democratic Party (SDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—may have been influenced by external forces, warning that the situation is now extending to the ADC.

He also accused the judiciary of being used to frustrate opposition parties through questionable rulings and called on the international community to impose sanctions, including visa restrictions, on electoral and judicial officials found culpable.

“The courts have been used to thwart democratic processes with frivolous decisions,” he alleged.

Frank further claimed that opposition figures were being targeted through arrests and legal actions, warning that the country could face instability if the situation persists.
“Nigeria is heading towards a crisis that may be difficult to contain if urgent steps are not taken,” he said.

He urged Nigerians, civil society organisations, and professional bodies—including the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)—to speak out in defence of democracy.

Frank also appealed to the international community, particularly the United States, to remain vigilant in supporting democratic values in Nigeria.

He maintained that Nigerians have historically resisted anti-democratic tendencies and would continue to do so.

“Freedom of association and the right to choose must be protected. Enough is enough,” he said.

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