Sports Journalist, Lucky Itodo Tells Nigerian Governors To Emulate Orji Kalu’s Investment in Enyimba
Sports journalist Lucky Itodo has called on Nigerian governors to emulate former Abia State governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, whose remarkable investment in football transformed Enyimba International Football Club into one of Africa’s most successful sides.
In a commentary, Itodo recalled that before 1999, Enyimba was like most Nigerian league clubs, struggling with poor funding and no continental relevance. The narrative changed when Kalu assumed office and made sports development, particularly football, a priority.
According to him, Kalu revolutionised the club by investing in players’ welfare, offering record sign-on fees, and personally motivating the squad. In 2001, striker Emeka Nwanna, popularly known as “Ayaya,” became Nigeria’s first millionaire footballer after receiving a ₦1 million sign-on fee under Kalu’s administration.
“The significant investment soon attracted some of the country’s best football talents, including Vincent Enyeama, Duke Udi, Romanus Orjinta, Onyekachi Okonkwo, Obinna Nwaneri, Victor Ezeji, and Dele Aiyenugba,” he said.
“Between 1999 and 2005, Enyimba dominated the Nigerian league, winning the title five times in six years. The club also became the first Nigerian side to win the CAF Champions League, lifting the trophy back-to-back in 2003 and 2004, before clinching the CAF Super Cup in 2004 and 2005.”
Itodo noted that Kalu’s presence and leadership provided an extra boost for the players. Former squad member Chibuzor Ozurumba once revealed that the team always delivered their best performances whenever the governor was in the stands.
The journalist argued that if other governors had replicated Kalu’s model, the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) would have developed into a strong and lucrative industry, creating jobs, attracting sponsorships, and improving the country’s image on the global stage.
He urged current state governors to adopt Kalu’s vision, stressing that sports should be seen not just as entertainment but as an industry with enormous economic and social benefits.
