AWKA – The Remains of late Christian Isiadinso, a former captain of Rangers Intl FC of Enugu was on Wednesday laid to rest in his country home, Obeagu Osili village in Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra.
The former footballer, who was captain of Rangers between 1981 and 1984, died on March 13 at the age of 64.
In his exhortation, Rev. Bishop Emmanuel Okoro, Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Njikoka Chapter, said the burial was another reminder of the ephemerality of life.
Okoro, who took his message from Rev. 20 12-15, said heaven and hell were real and that every man and woman would give account of their lives before God.
He prayed that God would admit the soul of Isiadinso in heaven while calling the living to live with the fear of God and service to humanity to make heaven.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Augustine Igweokolo, Chairman, Ex Rangers Intl FC players described Isiadinso as a “unique man on and off the pitch of play”.
Igweokolo said he was a spectacular midfielder and his opponents’ nightmare would be missed solely.
The pastor regretted that death was taking away legends of football in the Southeast and called on the society and state governments to celebrate them while they were alive.
While commiserating with the Isiadinso family and Ex Rangers Intl FC club, Sen. Victor Umeh said the role of the lives of the Igbo nation could never be overemphasised.
Umeh said he was a personal friend of the deceased and supporter of Rangers adding that the people were proud of Rangers players and would ever cherish them for their contributions to the Southeast.
“The death of Isiadinso is a great loss to us because he was part of the history; now that he is gone, we pray that he will make heaven and our prayer is that we will not die prematurely even though it is a call we will all answer.
“So, I commiserate with you and pray you all live to fulfill your dreams and visions,” he said.
Isiadinso’s widow, Ebele, said the late player’s name opened many doors for her including getting a Visa to go and study abroad.
She said Isiadinso was a pillar for the family and expressed pain that he died at the time he should have been enjoying the fruit of his labour.
Some of the veterans at the event were Chief JoeMartins Uzodike, Sylvanus Okpala popularly known as Quicksilver, Victor Nwangwu, Arthur Ebunam, Harrison Okagbue, ex Cranes of Ugandan Coach, Ben Ugwu (Surugede) among others.(NAN)
