By Jude Atupulazi
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has doffed his cap for former members of the elite Southeast team, Rangers International, describing them as living legends who deserve nothing short of celebration for making the Nigerian Nation proud in their playing days.
Governor Soludo made the assertion when some of the players paid him a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.
The Governor who was delighted to receive the ex-players described Rangers Football Club as part of the Nigerian Identity, the pride of the people who galvanized and lifted the spirit of the people of the Eastern Region after the Nigerian Civil War.
The Governor relived the days when football was used to douse tension, saying that in his youthful days they watched with great delight and admiration when Rangers played with other clubs. He emphasized that in tandem with a stanza in the nation’s national anthem, the labours of the heroes past should not be allowed to be in vain.
To give expression to this, the Governor directed that each of the 73 ex-players be placed on a one hundred thousand Naira monthly stipend as a way of assisting them by the Anambra State Government.
He equally gave a 50kg bag of rice and N200, 000 cash gift each to the ex-players, while promising to help them with their medicals by registering them with the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) so that they could access healthcare facilities at the Teaching Hospital, Amaku-Awka, free of cost.
He reiterated that aside from government assistance, the private sector and their respective communities could also help to ensure that such people whom he described as beacons in society, were not forgotten.
Governor Soludo also promised to take the case of the ex-players to the Governors of the region to converse on how to encourage them; even as he emphasized that the living must be celebrated. He encouraged and assured them that the nation, especially the former East Central State, would never forget their efforts.
Earlier, the former Commissioner for Information, Chief Joe Martins Uzodike, who led the players, traced the History of Rangers immediately after the war, stating that they were the pride of the East Central State.
The group expressed love and support for the Governor, praying that his second term bid, would see the light of the day.
The likes of Emmanuel Okala, Christian Chukwu, Louis Igwilo, Okey Emordi, Michael Ogbuodudu, Arthur Ebonam, Dominic Nwobodo and Christian Isiadinso, among others, were present during the visit, attended by Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Barr. Joachin Anaeto, Chairman, Anambra State Sports Commission, Mr Patrick Onyedum, among others.
