Nigerian football legend, Christian Chukwu has gone back in time once again and came out with details of how he got the nickname, ‘Chairman.’
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The former national team centre back and captain, who also became head coach of the Nigerian side in 2003, recalled that it was late ace broadcaster and sports commentator, Ernest Okonkwo who gave him the alias.
Sports247.ng gathered further that Chukwu accepted the nickname back in the days because Okonkwo, who worked for Radio Corporation of Nigeria, equally gave other players in the then Green Eagles catchy sobriquets as well.
The iconic Chukwu recounted, “In those days, we were young. In terms of character, we behaved like brothers and sisters.
“Each person had his own skills … like Adokie, like Muda Lawal, like Segun. That’s why the late Ernest Okonkwo gave all of us nicknames.
“He called Segun ‘Mathematical Odegbami,’ because he could dribble anyone easily. He called Adokie ‘Chief Justice,’ because he was a law student.
“He called Alloysius ‘Blockbuster,’ because of how powerfully shielded the ball; and so on with many other players in our team.
“He gave them names because of the way they played, their performances and where they specialised in.
“That was how he also gave me ‘Chairman,’ because I stayed at the back and controlled the team. So on and so forth.”
Chukwu reminisced further that he was inspired to perform better during each game because of Okonkwo’s words, which he recalled were based on what the commentator saw in his game at that time.
“It’s the way he saw me that made him give me that name.
“He gave me that name because of the way he saw me talking to my colleagues in the field, controlling the pace, my behaviour and everything about me.
“He said ‘This guy must be a genius,’ so he gave me Chairman and sometimes added Field Marshal.
“I could not say no, because he felt it was a good fit that described the way I played; and that’s how it has stuck up till today,” Chukwu concluded.
He urged current players to show good character and stay focused in their football activities, so that they can also earn long-lasting accolades from their admirers.
