|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Sobenna Nwagbo
The family of Late Ifeanyi George Onwubiko, former Striker with Rangers International Football Club of Enugu has commended the Governor of Enugu State Rt. Hon Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for setting standard in Nigeria Football industry.
Sunday Onwubiko, elder brother to late Ifeanyi made the commendation on Tuesday, 21st July, 2020 at the Rangers Camp after recieving cheque of #20,000.000.00 (Twenty million naira) from Premier Brokers Limited on behalf of Rangers Management Corporation and Enugu State Government.
In his welcome address, the General Manager of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Prince Davidson Owumi regretted the loss of Ifeanyi, but thanked the Governor of Enugu State for his approval of the Insurance and subsequent renewals of the policy that started since 2017/2018 football season. The seasoned football administrator further gave details of how the benefit was agreed with the family to be shared as thus: #10,000.000.00 (Ten million naira) to the parents of the deceased player, #8,000.000.00 (Eight million naira) for interest yielding Education Trust Fund for little Abigail George Onwubiko and #2,000.000.00 (Two million naira) to Abigail’ s mother for her upkeep untill she is of age and the Education Trust Fund can be accessed.
Godwin Ahuakanya, Managing Director of the Insurance Company, applauded the leadership of Rangers Management Corporation and the Enugu State Government for the initiative and subsequent approval with constant renewal respectively. According to him, 39 players and 20 officials are covered in the policy for 24 hours which implies that the policy covers on and off the pitch. Injured players medical bills can be claimed to the tune of Ten million naira and about Twelve million naira for permanent disability. The Manager also thanked Rangers for providing all the necessary documents that aided in the activation of the Insurance claim which was ready in one month but because of lockdown necessitated by the pandemic.
There was a dramatic retirement of Late Ifeanyi George’s playing jersey(15) symbolically by the Rangers Team Manager, Amobi Ezeaku and Ifeanyi’s daughter Abigail who folded the jersey and locked in a box with flowers from Ifeanyi’s brother, Rangers Management Corporation, Rangers players led by Okey Odita, Nigeria Football Federation and Enugu State Government. The implication is that the jersey(15) is reserved till end of next season. This was done amidst tears in the eyes of almost every body at the event as the day also coincided with the birthday of the deceased player.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, was represented by his Special Assistant on Media Kola Daniel who expressed his happiness for the feat Rangers Management Corporation has achieved and implored other Clubs in Nigeria to emulate from it. Also, the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation was represented by his Personal Assistant and the founder of 042 Football Legend Association, Chikelue Iloenyesi. Chikelue further supported Late Ifeanyi George Onwubiko’ s family with some amount of money. Rangers Coach Salisu Yusuf was also on ground to witness this novel and commendable initiative in Nigeria.
Subsequently, the Governor’s representative and Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Manfred Nzekwe commiserated with the George Onwubiko’s family and friends of Late Ifeanyi. He applauded the leadership of Prince Davidson Owumi in Rangers and the Insurance Company for delivering on their mandate. He further pledged the continued support of Enugu State Government to the welfare of the players and the entire citizenry. High point of the event was the invitation of Late Ifeanyi George Onwubiko’s family for the presentation of the #20,000.000.00 (Twenty million naira) cheque by the Honourable Commissioner and Representative of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor of Enugu State.
