Tears of joy and nostalgia flowed on Wednesday at the Enugu Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide as the apex Igbo socio-cultural body finally fulfilled a 48-year-old promise left unredeemed by the federal government to members of Rangers International F.C..
In 1977, when Rangers won the prestigious African Winners Cup, the federal government rewarded the players with ₦25,000 each—a sharp contrast to the ₦50,000 awarded to Shooting Stars S.C. of Ibadan for winning the same trophy just a year earlier in 1976.
The perceived slight deeply hurt the Igbo nation at the time, coming just years after the end of the Nigeria-Biafra war. Though they protested and agitated for redress, the shortfall was never remedied by the government.
Forty-eight years later, Ohanaeze has stepped in where the federal government failed—paying each of the surviving Rangers heroes ₦1 million as a symbolic gesture of remembrance, honour, and love from the Igbo nation.
Among those present at the emotional ceremony were legendary former goalkeeper Emmanuel Okala, former Rangers captain Dominic Nwobodo (who also chairs the ex-players’ group), and several other surviving teammates. Families of deceased heroes, including the late Coach Christian Chukwu, were represented by their wives, children, or relatives.
Addressing the gathering, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, John Azuta Mbata, said the event was not just about money, but about history, dignity, and collective memory.
“This is a typical Nigeria thing. This is a pledge made by the federal government, but it is Ohanaeze Ndigbo that is redeeming the pledge today,” Mbata declared. “This is to further show how Igbo affairs are not of interest to Nigeria. One who is rejected does not reject himself.”
He recalled the significance of Rangers to Igbo identity after the civil war:
“Rangers International Football Club of Nigeria, immediately after the civil war, when America and Britain collaborated and defeated the Igbo in the war, at that lowest ebb of Ndigbo after their defeat, Rangers FC rose up as a beacon of light, as a beacon of strength, hope and resurgence at that ebb of Igbo history.”
“They won the intercontinental cup and the government made a promise to give them ₦25,000 each. That promise was never redeemed. Since the government has refused to redeem it, the Igbo people will redeem it. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide as an organization watching out for the interest of our people all over the world is standing in today to redeem that pledge.”
“Let it be heard all over the world that the Igbo will never forget Rangers. All those people who fought gallantly, who played for Rangers, whether dead or alive, Ohanaeze will honour them today. Out of 19 of them that played, eight are still alive while 11 are deceased. Whether they are dead or alive, Ohanaeze will remember them. The labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain and so it shall be for Rangers players,” Mbata prayed.
For the surviving players, it was a moment of pride and closure.
“Since 1977, some of our people are dead. It was ₦25,000 then, and now it has been made manifest,” said an emotional Okala. “It is a great thing that I am still alive to witness this fulfillment. We will use the money for our medical upkeep.”
He noted that the ex-players had remained united through a dedicated group and were already planning a remembrance event for fallen teammates, including Chukwu.
For many present, the gesture was far more than financial—it was an act of cultural memory, a reminder that while governments may forget, a people do not forget their heroes.
