BY PAUL EREWUBA
FORMER African Footballer of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke, was on De- cember 27, 2016 in Eziokele Autono- mous community in Eziobodo, Owerri West Local Government honoured with a chieftaincy title of Aka Welitere Mba 1 by his community.
For many years, people of Eziokele pleaded with the former Super Eagles left winger to come and receive the title which they felt was overdue. And when the former FC Bacelona player eventually decided to honour his people by accept- ing the offer on December 27, they rolled out the red carpet and came out in their numbers to welcome him into the royal cabinet.
As early as 7:00 am, Amuneke father’s compound in Eziokele was already filled with his kinsmen, friends and well-wish- ers.
And at 12:00 noon when the ceremony was to officially commence, men, wom- en, boys, girls including children escorted Amuneke to the traditional ruler’s palace dancing and singing his praises.
While conferring him with the title, the traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Osuji Ezinwa, said Amuneke was being honoured with the title for his love for his community and his involvement in the development of the area.
While conferring him with the title, the traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Osuji Ezinwa, said Amuneke was being honoured with the title for his love for his community and his involvement in the development of the area.
Chief, Tuesday December 27 was a memorable day for you in Eziokele, as you were conferred with a Chieftaincy title. How do you feel?
The most important thing is to thank God that my community recognises me and has found me worthy of a chieftaincy. It is not my making. There was never a day that I planned for it. My people said they wanted to honour me, not because I played in the moon, Barcelona or what- ever. What I have done is what God wants me to do. And I thank my people. I appreciate them.
I thank God and thank Nigerians. I am grateful to them. I have become a prophet that is recognised and honoured by his own people and not rejected like the pro- verbial Bible saying. I thank God.
I once told my wife that when I die I will not be buried in Europe. When I was leaving for Europe, my father said, this road will be well with you. I left with my legs and I am coming back home with my legs.
Nothing will change in me. I am 46 years and what I owe to everybody is the truth.
Now you are a chief, what change do you think this will pose to you?
I am still the same Amuneke. There is nothing I have to do extra to please the Chiefs in Council or my people. If I have, I will tell you I have. What matters is ask- ing God for wisdom. We’re operating in a space.
It is not often that father and son are conferred with chief- taincy titles by their community at the same time. Is it a distinction of the Amuneke family?
It is not we are not the best family
Our grandfather that gave us the name Amuneke, I do not even know him. But sometimes you are connected in spirit by the destiny God has designed for you.
Every race is different and in every race one must come first. We have to thank God our prayer is that the young ones should be focused.
You talked about leaving the village because of football, could you shed more light on this?
Yes, I prefer football to food. As I say, God writes one’s history. I have always told my colleagues while coaching to make the right judgment in your selection
I am a person who believes in integrity and what I am today is the will of God. I had played in the 90s yet Nigerians still appreciate what I have done, it is GOD’s making.
Everything that is happening to me is the will of God. My friends call me Messiah. Although, I appreciate the name, but I am not a messiah. It is only God that could be called Messiah. The friends I grew up in Orile, Lagos call me Messiah.
What have been your challenges in your rise to stardom?
We all have challenges and I have mine. I had surgery on my knee for sev- eral times with Doctors charging me huge sums. Challenges make you whom you are. You make plans and unfortunately those plans do not materialise. But you have to improvise. So challenges also guide you.