Ailing Chukwu doesn’t need surgery in US – Rangers

Enugu Rangers say Christian Chukwu does not need surgery abroad after undergoing treatment for an undisclosed ailment in Enugu.

On Sunday, Grand Patron of Ex – Enugu Rangers Players Association , Benson Ejindu , said Chukwu , who captained the national team to their first ever Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil in 1980 , was very sick and in urgent need of support to enable him get medical attention overseas .

He added that the ex – Super Eagles coach needed $ 50 , 000 for a trip to the United States , where he would undergo surgery, medication and general after – surgery care .
Ejindu said a gofundme account was opened for Chukwu ’ s medical treatment , adding that $ 2 , 450 had been donated by various individuals as at Monday.

But Rangers media officer , Norbert Okolie , told The PUNCH that contrary to Ejindu ’ s claim , Chukwu was recuperating after treatment in Enugu .

When asked if Chukwu needed to embark on a trip to the US for surgery, Okoli said , “ Not at all. He’ s undergone surgery in Enugu and doctors have certified him fit . He was advised to stay in a hotel after treatment to ensure that he ’ s not disturbed by sympathisers

“ His ( Chukwu ) family didn ’ t want to make this a public issue but the management of the club had to come out when Ejindu stated that Chukwu needed $ 50 , 000 for surgery in the US and that he’ s been abandoned by Enugu State Government and Rangers . That ’ s not true .

“ He has had this health challenge for three weeks and the ( Enugu ) state government supported him all through . Very soon, we ’ ll have Chukwu walking on his feet again. ”
Okoli however declined to comment on Chukwu ’ s ailment amidst reports that he was suffering from prostate cancer .
“ I know that he has a health challenge and is recuperating somewhere in Enugu , ” he added .

‘Enugu govt . paid N 1 . 5 m , Rangers N 200, 000 for treatment ’
Also , Rangers General Manager, Davidson Owumi , also denied insinuations that the club abandoned Chukwu , their Technical Director.

“ The former coach and ex – national team captain is being attended to in his hour of need as he recovers from a life- threatening health challenge , ’’ Okolie in a statement , quoted Owumi as saying .

“ We in Rangers made the initial deposit for his admission for medical attention at Nike Clinic in GRA, Enugu.

“ After informing the state government of his condition , the sum of N 1 . 5 m was made available to his family for treatment , which has been carried out , ’’ he added .
Owumi added that Rangers made the initial deposit of N 200, 000 for his admission and commencement of treatment at the private health facility .

“ Our legend Chukwu has been assessed by medical personnel at the hospital and is gradually getting over the health challenge .
“ We did not want to make the efforts of Enugu State Government and Rangers in this case public , because his family never wanted his condition ( to be ) a public affair , ” Owumi said .

Enugu won’ t wait for NFF
The Enugu State Government on Monday said it would ensure that Chukwu got the best treatment .
Ibuchukwu Nwodo , the Special Adviser to Gov . Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Rangers Matters , said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Enugu .
He said , “ Chukwu is our own and deserved whatever the state government has spent to ensure that he gets better .

“ We are not waiting for intervention from anybody or organisation before we take up our responsibility concerning Chukwu .
“ In this particular case , the Nigeria Football Federation and others are external bodies because Chukwu started with us and he is the face of our darling Rangers FC .
“ So, NFF can come in because he served them at a higher capacity as Green Eagles captain and coach and not that we have to wait for them .

“ Besides , he is our Technical Director and I will not like to disclose all that the state government has done in respect of his ill health. ”

Meanwhile , Femi Otedola, the billionaire businessman, has offered to foot the medical bills of Christian Chukwu , former Super Eagles ’ coach , according to TheCable .
In the first two days , a GoFundMe appeal raised $ 4 , 305 of the $ 50 , 000 needed for further treatment .

Speaking to TheCable on phone , Otedola said he would foot the entire cost of the operation as a “ token of support to a great Nigerian who served his country to the best of his ability ” .

Otedola previously settled the medical bills of the veteran actor , Victor Olaotan , who was at risk of double amputation following a ghastly car accident in 2016 .

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