Following the death of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, on Saturday, the Enugu State Government has opened condolence registers in his honour in Enugu, Lagos, and Abuja.

The registers, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, on Monday, were opened as a mark of honour, creating opportunity for Nigerians to pay deserved tributes to the late gaffer.

According to the statement, the registers are open from 8am to 4pm on weekdays at the Enugu State Football Association’s office, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu; Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, State Secretariat, Enugu; Rangers International Office, No. 23, Abakaliki Road, GRA, Enugu; Enugu State Liaison Office, No. 45, Lasode Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos and Enugu State Building, No. 81, Ralph Shodeinde Street, Opposite Federal Ministry of Finance, Central Business District, Abuja.

“So, we encourage Ndi Enugu and Nigerians to avail themselves of these avenues to pay respect to whom it is due,” the statement read in part.

There has been an outpour of tributes since the news of Chukwu’s demise at the weekend.

Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, @PNMbah and other social media platforms, Governor of his home state, Enugu, Dr. Peter Mbah, described the death as a personal loss to the state and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.

He noted the deceased was “a national icon, a football titan, Field Marshal, and phenomenon, whose exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.”

“He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.

“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football,” he stated.

The Management of Nasarawa United FC has disputed claims that one of its fans stabbed a Plateau United Player during an NPFL game, weekend. 

News was widely circulated showing a Plateau United player stabbed in the throat region. 

However, in a statement signed by Eche Amos, Director of Media, Nasarawa United FC, he described the claims as false. 

His statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a disturbing trend of fake news circulating on social media, falsely claiming that a fan of our team stabbed a player of Plateau United FC, Vincent Temitope, in the neck, following our 3-2 win over the Jos-based side in the Nigeria Premier League Match-day 33 tie at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday, 13th April, 2025.

“We feel compelled to set the record straight and dispel this baseless narrative.

“After our findings, contrary to the sensationalized reports, a physical altercation did occur between a spectator, who is not a supporter of our club, and Plateau United's Vincent Temitope, after the full-time whistle had been blown and spectators making their ways out of the Stadium.

“However, eye witnesses confirmed that the spectator used his sharp fingers, not a knife, or any other dangerous weapon as purportedly reported, to slightly bruise the player's neck, who had earlier provoked the situation by attempting to hit the spectator with a nearby plastic chair before he was disarmed.

“There was never any incident of stabbing involved, whatsoever!

“Prior to the incident, the said Vincent Temitope had missed a penalty awarded to his side after engaging in verbal dispute with his teammates as to who should take the spot kick. The same Temitope narrowly escaped the referee's(Rashidat Abdulganiyu's) red card after headbutting Nasarawa United's goalkeeper, Detan Ogundare, who came to make peace between his teammate, Benson Abbey, and Vincent Temitope, as he was only shown a yellow card for the unsportsmanlike act.

“Though Vincent Temitope would later score for his team, alongside Samuel Pam, in their 3-2 loss in Lafia, he might have allowed his frustration take a toll of him, leading him to vent his anger on anything along his path.

“His teammates and other members of Plateau United were busy taking pictures with the home fans with no negative undertone, and one of the Officials of the Peace Boys was even seen dragging the said Vincent Temitope off the argument scene, but he would not yield to the official's plea.

“The State Football Association immediately waded into the situation and ensured the spectator was arrested by the Police Personnel deployed to the Stadium and kept under their custody for further investigations, while Vincent Temitope was taken to a nearby medical facility where his bruises were dressed, before being reunited with his teammates at their hotel accommodation.

“We urge the public to disregard the false reports and speculation surrounding this incident. Nasarawa United is cooperating with authorities to further investigate the incident and take necessary actions.

“As a Club, we prioritise the safety and well-being of players, staff, and fans.

“We kindly request that social media users and news outlets verify information through official channels before sharing to prevent the spread of misinformation.

“Let us focus on the excitement of the game and the sportsmanship displayed by both teams.

“The safety and well-being of everyone involved remain our top priority.

“We will provide updates as the investigation progresses.”