Since the news of the demise of the President General of Ohaneze, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu filtered into the public space, the media have been awash with encomiums on the incredible life he lived in the service of the nation and Ndigbo. As we count down to the commencement of the burial rites of this iconic elder statesman, it has become imperative to examine his sterling contributions to various facets of national development. While he lived, Engr. Iwuanyanwu made his marks and recorded impressive achievements in different fields of human endeavor, too numerous to mention.
In this piece, however, we will be focusing attention on his outstanding contributions to sports and youth development in Nigeria. Indeed, the history of sports and youth development in the country, particularly modern football, would be incomplete without the impeccable contributions of the late icon. Iwuanyanwu came big on the national sports scene with his Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club, which he put together to give Nigerian youths opportunities for self-development.
Having made his marks in business and politics, Iwuanyanwu, perhaps, felt that one of the most potent ways of unleashing the creative energies of the youths and mobilising them for national development was through empowerment in the field of sports. He brought his Midas touch into this spspecialised eld and made a huge success out of it.
As Alhaji Kashim Imam, a prominent Northern politician and close political ally of Iwuanyanwu, stated in his tribute to Iwuanyanwu he clocked 80 two years ago, “after the civil war, football became more than a game for the Igbo who put in their whole being into Rangers International Football Club of Enugu to re-launch themselves into national and international reckoning”. Through successful exploits within the country and the continent, Rangers brought hope and happiness to the war-weary Igbo who were just recovering from the trauma and devastations of the 30-month conflict.
Upon the creation of Imo State in 1976, the state government, led by Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, established Spartans Football Club of Owerri as Rangers were inherited by Anambra State. Spartans made waves, but were not as successful as Rangers. Iwuanyanwu took over the club in 1985, rebranded and turned it into a winning machine known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club.
With Iwuanyanwu on the saddle as the proprietor, the club became an all-conquering team that won several laurels within Nigeria, West Africa and the continent.
In 1988, Iwuanyanwu Nationale came close to lifting the African Cup of Champions Clubs (now CAF Champions League trophy), but for their narrow loss to Algeria’s Entente de Setif, which many football enthusiasts blamed on poor officiating.
The club produced many prominent footballers who later moved into many top club sides in Europe to play professional football. They included Etim Esin, Friday Ekpo, Nwankwo Kanu, Thompson Oliha, Vincent Enyeama, Edward Ansah, Uche Okechukwu, Andrew Uwe, Friday Elahor, Sunday Eboigbe, Ben Iroha, Finidi George and Michael Obiku.
Like Kashim noted, “the club churned out players that made the country and Africa proud. Former African Footballer of the Year, World Under-17 Championship winner, UEFA Champions League winner and Olympic gold medalist, Kanu Nwankwo, grew from the ranks of Nationale, starting from the feeder academy – Iwuanyanwu Comets”. It is also important to note that the Nigera’s heroic team to the FIFA World Cup 1994 in the United States of America comprised about seven players of Iwuanyanwu Nationale.
Iwuanyanwu, through his club, put food on the tables of the families of the players many of who went on transfers to Europe to ply their trade. Through the victories of the club locally and internationally, he also brought honour and pride to the nation.
The club reverted to Imo State Government around 2006 and assumed a new name, Heartland Football Club of Owerri. It has not been the same ever since. Heartland were relegated from the domestic top flight league last season but got a reprieve to return following the disqualification of promoted Beyond Limit Football Club on conflict of interests grounds.
Iwuanyanwu did not limit his involvement in sports to only his club. He was a national asset who deployed his enormous resources and contacts to the service of the nation at critical moments in her sporting history. He served the nation as Chairman of the National Sports Development Fund. He was also the Chairman of Nigeria Football Association (USA `94) and Cup of Nations Fund Raising Committee in the same period.
He served at different times as the Patron of many sporting groups in the country, including the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.
His death has definitely left a huge void in the sporting fraternity of our nation which would be very difficult to fill. There is no doubt that his contributions to Nigeria’s sports and youth development are immeasurable.
As the nation mourns his passage, it is our prayer that God will grant his soul eternal repose.
Nwosu, Ph.D, is a member of the media sub-committee for Iwuanyanwu’s funeral. Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com
