Why I’m touching lives of young people with football — Ikechukwu

Uchendu Christian Ikechukwu, is the Chairman of Nwuado Football Club. In Gboko town of Benue State, Ikechukwu mentors youth to become responsible adults and future leaders of the country. He does that by organising football league and other mentorship activities. He shares his story in this interview with the correspondent. that we can together solve the problems of the country. On my own part, I’ve been trying to preach peace by ensuring that no one around me is discriminated against. For instance, out of my 27 staff, 14 are Muslims and the others are Christians; we have been working together seamlessly.

We also have 77 players in my football team comprising 43 Muslims. 18 of them are already playing overseas and we are working hard to send more of them. If we sustain this feat in the next five years, we would have touched the lives of more youth in Nigeria so much so that every family will hear about us.

What is your advice for others to assist the less privileged?

We are calling on Nigerians to support the less privileged and our foundations so we can have a veritable Nigeria to bequeath to our children.

For Nigerians, we all need to be patient as a better Nigeria will soon emerge. I am also appealing to Nigerian leaders to be prudent, transparent and not embezzle funds. For those who have done that, they should start using such monies to improve the country instead of stashing them in foreign accounts.