Imo State Government on Wednesday October 23,2024, organized a candle light procession in honour of Late Christian Obi of Heartland FC of Owerri who died in an auto crash on their way to a pre-season competition.
Footballers, sports enthusiasts, family and friends, Heartland FC management, well-wishers and fans, stormed Dan Anyiam stadium Owerri, Imo State for the candle light procession in honour of the departed coach of the club.
Addressing mourners and sympathizers, the Technical Adviser of the team and former African Footballer of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke recalled his early days as a player and how Coach Obi and other players supported them to excel in the game.
He added that after his playing days in abroad, he came back to work with him in his first year as a coach in the country.
Amuneke recalled how they worked hard at Heartland last season by not allowing the team to drop which didn’t work out.
Amuneke revealed that on the day of the incident, he asked members of the coaching crew to join the bus brought for the team but the coach decided to be with his players and when his attention was called he rushed down only for the coach to give up when his service is well needed in the team .
The State Commissioner for Sports, Hon.Obinna Onyeocha said that the late gaffer lived a good life as testified by many.
He called on the deceased family not to grief much, though painful that they lost a dear one, pointing out that death is inevitable and that no one can run away from it.
“Obi’s death is a lesson to all of us because no one knows his own day”the Commissioner said.
He noted that the late coach was a nice man, “There are people that when they die you hear all sorts of things about them, but I have not heard any bad testimony concerning this man.”
He rendered a song on behalf of the fallen hero, which says every one has a little time on earth.
Lending his voice, Pastor Princewill Odikanwa said that every human being must one day give account of his life, stressing that it is not the length of time one lived that matters, but impact made while alive.
He cited example with the late Alexander the Great, whom he said died at 32, but achieved a lot before his departure. The clergy man disclosed that the late coach/footballer lived a life of sacrifice, sacrificing his time, money and talent.
He further hinted that the late gaffer prayed and fasted to better Heartland Football club, stressing that every Brutus in Heartland must go down.
The candle light procession which marked the commencement of his journey to eternity had in attendance; elected and government appointees, business moguls, sports enthusiasts and sports journalists, amongst them were Mr Isaac Mbika, Chairman Ex Iwuanyanwu Nationale organization, Director Imo State Sports Commission, Mrs Patricia Ezeji, Engr.Ikenna Adikibe, Chairman Oru West LGA, Hon.Dominic Ezerioha, Member representing Oru West in the State House of Assembly, Hon Dan Ogu, Former Commissioner for Sports, Chief Leonard Amasiama, Nze Arinze Okeke aka ekpuchi onwa of ibiasoegbe, Cosmos Chukwuemeka, Chairman Sports writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN Imo State chapter, Promise Nwachukwu, members of Heartland Football Club, Sports Writers, family and friends of the deceased.
He will be laid to rest at his home town Ibiasoegbe this Friday.
