The week began with the news of the deaths of several renowned Nigerians. Among these personalities are a former editor and lecturer, Alhaji Dahiru Coomasie; a former Super Eagles coach and Green Eagles captain, Christian Chukwu; and another Green Eagles’ title-winning player, Charles Bassey. Weekend Trust mourns with the families.
The death of Alhaji Dahiru Ahmadu Coomasie has been described as a great loss to the journalism profession. Coomasie was a former lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and former editor of the Today Newspaper, where many were mentored in the practice of journalism.
Alhaji Dahiru Ahmadu Coomassie had been described as leaving behind a legacy marked by business leadership, journalistic influence, and dedication to development in Nigeria.
He was a director in several prominent companies including Nigerian Sewing Machine Manufacturing Company Plc (SINGER), Carnco Foods Nig. Ltd, NUB International Bank Limited, Katsina Flour Mills, and Arewa Integrated Farms Limited.
In a tribute, Abdullahi Lere, a Kaduna based journalist, recalled that “On Thursday, March 10th 1993, Alhaji Dahiru Coomassie invited me for a job interview scheduled to take place on Saturday, to recruit young reporters for the weekly newspaper. Expectedly, I excitedly arrived for the interview only to be told by Malam Dahiru that “Lere, we don’t need to interview you since we know your capacity (having attended my SIWES earlier with the Newspaper company).
“I started my journalism career on March 15, 1993 even before my Diploma result was out, courtesy of the singular belief and consideration of Malam Dahiru.
“He was a very kind but firm boss. He gave me a fatherly listening ear throughout my career with the company, ensuring that he posted me to assignments that later sharpened and emboldened my experience and exposure as a journalist.
“Malam Dahiru was a thorough and meticulous editor and a role model. I learned so much from him.
“I pray that Allah SWT forgives all his transgressions and rewards his good deeds with Jannatul Fir-Daus. Allah Ya jikan Mal Dahiru Coomassie.
“Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.”
Similarly, Mustapha Bature Sallama said Coomasie left behind “a legacy marked by business leadership, journalistic influence, and dedication to development in Nigeria.”
Beside the companies he worked at, Coomasie, as the chief editor of Today Newspaper, had a strong editorial guidance that left a lasting mark on Nigerian journalism.
Sallama continued, “He was the brother of the late Alhaji Abideena Coomassie and the former Inspector General of Police late Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Coomassie, Sardaunan Katsina 1.
“His contributions across various sectors and his commitment to family and community will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.
“May Almighty Allah accept your shortcoming, Aljannatul Firdausi be final adobe.
“Alhaji Dahiru was a devoted family man, survived by his wife and five children.”
Christian Chukwu, who was known as “the chairman” had been described as a great footballer that he almost became a fairytale. Ernest Okonkwo, the legendary football commentator, dubbed him “chairman” due to his prodigious leadership quality from the base of the defence. He was also known as “Field Marshall” because he was always a conduit of calm and coolness that influenced the entire team on their match to Nigeria’s first Nations Cup trophy in 1980.
Chukwu, who passed away on April 12 aged 74, would have been priceless if he had played in the current money-drunken football terrain. He was a footballer ahead of his time. He was among the first generation of ball-playing defenders. He had it all: accurate diagonal passes to running wingers, intelligent anticipation to stop attacks before they became dangerous, and the heart to score important goals like a striker.
Despite his legendary talent, Chukwu played for just one club. He only represented Enugu Rangers, his hometown club. He belongs to the exclusive line-up of one-club men which comprises legendary football names like Pablo Maldini, Francesco Totti, Tony Adams, and Ryan Giggs, among others.
The story of Chukwu started and ended in Enugu. He was once a plantain seller who sometimes forsook his goods to kick football with friends in the coal city — and he died as the city’s greatest football export to the world.
Chukwu was born in Enugu on January 4, 1951. Football was first a guilty pleasure, and his parents were keen to beat the passion out of him.
He was famous for his talent from his early days at Christ Church Primary School and National Grammar School in Enugu. Young Chukwu was a mini-celebrity at Ngwo Park, a local pitch in Enugu famed as the breeding ground for the city’s best football stars.
Chukwu’s parents left him scars for trying to be a “nonentity” who prioritised a hobby over his studies. He went to bed on an empty stomach on some days as punishment for playing football.
But not the pain, hunger, or disappointment on his parents’ faces could subdue the joy Chukwu felt when he had a ball to kick around.
Chukwu’s father was a butcher, and his mother was a plantain trader in the neighbourhood. To curtail his love for football, the mother would send her son to hawk plantain whenever he was free. But the measure only gave him more time to play the sport he loved.
“My mother would load up a tray of plantain for me to go and sell. All these were to stop me from playing the game,” Chukwu said in an interview.
Chukwu was among the group of talented players from the old East Central State, who took to football immediately after the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970 alongside Godwin Ogbueze, Dominic Ezeani, and Kenneth Ilodigwe during the days of the East Central Academicals.
Nigeria’s first male national team captain, Dan Anyiam, spotted Chukwu as a teenager playing at Ngwo Park and pleaded with his parents to relax the strict measures against his sports career aspirations.
He had prostate cancer some years back, which affected one of his legs, and the family created a GoFundMe account to raise funds for his treatment at Wellington Hospital in London, but a businessman, Femi Otedola, paid $50,000 for his treatment.
Chukwu is survived by his wife, whom he married in 1982, and their four children and numerous grandkids.
The death of Charles Bassey left the football community in shock. He was one of the 22 players who made history for Nigeria on March 22, 1980, when the Green Eagles beat Algeria 3-0 at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, to win the country’s first-ever AFCON title.
After retiring from playing, Bassey became a coach and managed several Nigerian clubs, including Calabar Rovers, Mobil Pegasus in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingoes of Benin, Akwa United, and Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.
His passing makes him the ninth member of the 1980 squad to have died.
Others include goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima, and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atuegbu and Mudashiru Lawal, and fellow forward Martins Eyo.
He hailed from Eket in Akwa Ibom State and is survived by wife, children and grandchildren.
