Former green eagles captain and coach Christian Chukwu, MFR,revealed that he did not pass through the surgeon’s knife last May when he traveled to London, United Kingdom for medical treatment, complete sport reports.
Chukwu who was flown to London, on May 15, 2019, for treatment following prolonged health challenges, got his medical bills footed by billionaire oil business mogul, Femi Otedola, who picked up the $50,000 medical bill.
The former Green Eagles captain and coach has now disclosed that contrary to earlier reports, his ailment did not require surgery and as such, he was not operated upon at the Wellington Hospital London where doctors did not carry out any surgery on him.
“I must say that my treatment or healing started immediately we landed at the (Heathrow) Airport in London,” said the now lively, soft spoken coach nicknamed ‘Chairman’.
“This is because the environment, the atmosphere and everything were something else. You really feel you are in some kind of different place from where you had been all along.
“NFF President, Amaju Pinnick had arranged everything before we arrived and as soon as the airport formalities were over, we were driven to the hospital.”
Chukwu, who during his playing days won the 1977 Africa Cup Winners Cup with Rangers as captain and Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 with then Green Eagles, said things changed at the hospital.
“Before we left Nigeria, the thought was that I was going to London for surgical operation to correct my ailment,” the former Harambee Stars of Kenya and SAFA FC Lebanon coach continued.
“But that was not to be. I was not operated upon. Instead, I was given only injections after several tests.
“The doctors said what they were told as regards my ailment was not actually the case and that it does not require operation. So after like about two days injections, I felt like I could start playing again.
“So, it was injections all through and afterwards, rehabilitation followed.
“You can’t believe it that the doctors recommended that I didn’t need to stay in the hospital bed. In their opinion, the situation didn’t require it and so, it was going to be unnecessarily expensive, like €150 per day.
“An apartment was quickly arranged and I moved in, going from there to the hospital for treatment. For (Femi) Otedola and the NFF President, it was not about money, but my recovery. However, based on the doctor’s recommendation, I had to be taken to a private apartment”.
Chukwu, now feeling stronger and lively as the interview with Completesports.com progressed at the Vinbecca Hotel, Enugu, said it was like he now has a second life, and remained eternally grateful to Otedola who pulled the financial muscle to ensure he regained good health.
“Otedola is like an Angel that ‘visited my life in the likeness of man’. I did not know him from Adam. And I believe that he could be a kid when I was still playing.
“And for him to put down his money for my treatment, such a heart of human milk, I cannot describe it. I’m overwhelmed.
“I cannot thank him enough, for him to have put down his $50,000 for my treatment. This is a clear message to everyone, even the younger generation of players to always put the nation first.”
