The Enugu State Government and other stakeholders have urged Igbos to embrace the resilience, dogged spirit and sacrifices exhibited by the Rangers International Football Club to transform the South-East Zone.
They made the call during the “Premiere of “Never Say Die: The Story And History Of Rangers International Football Club, organised by the Center of Memories to celebrate Rangers at 55 on Friday in Enugu.
The documentary which lasted for 90 minutes showed the formation, challenges and triumphs of Rangers till date.
The documentary was directed by a historian, Nze Emeka Keazor, as a tribute to an enduring legacy to Rangers.
In a keynote address, the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr Ifeanyi Ossai, emphasised the need for Igbos to go back to core values they were known for and began economic integration of the region to create economic hub.
He said that they should make the zone a bigger market that would make it attractive for investors and financiers to invest.
“Today we saw resilience, perseverance and strength of will against all adversities by Rangers. What they achieved and still achieve is the true characterisation of the Igbo people.
“It resonates with our strength of character, perseverance and 20 pounds we got after the war.
“It resonates with the will to refine crude oil during the war in Enugu, our young engineers who took abandoned civilian aircraft at Enugu airport and converted them to fighter bombers and sustained the war,” Ossai said.
The deputy governor added that with the Federal Government amended constitution, the states in Southeast could now consider and deliberate on rail transport.
He noted that it cost a lot to embark on rail projects, and urged states in the region to pool their resources together towards investing in a rail project for the zone to boost economic activities and movement of goods and services.
He equally extolled the likes of Emmanuel Okala, Christian Chukwu and others who fought wars in the game of play, leaving lucrative payments in other areas but came home to play for Rangers.
“If Rangers disciplined themselves from the anger from the war and channeled it into productive victory, there’s nothing we cannot do today,” he stressed.
The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Lloyd Ekweremadu, while appreciating the centre for organising the event and for keeping Igbo memories alive, pledged to collaborate with the centre.
Dr Sam Amadi, the Director of Abuja Social and Political Thought, said that Rangers provided the impetus to regenerate the Igbo spirit that made people triumph over economic socio-cultural and physical challenges after the civil war.
“It was a structure used to recreate Igbo entrepreneurial, dominance and win spirit. They are the only region in the world that came out of war and by 1979 they had a vice president in the name of Dr Alex Ekwueme.
“Without Rangers and Oriental Brothers, it would have been difficult for Igbos to survive after the war,” he added.
On his part, the Rangers General Manager, Mr Amobi Ezeaku, represented by the Rangers Marketing Consultant, Mr Ikenna Ozonodu, said plans were on to celebrate Rangers at 55 which would be made known to the public later.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Executive Director of the Centre, Mr Iheanyi Igboko, explained that Rangers FC was born in the wake of profound adversity, a time when Igbos sought to rebuild, reaffirm their place in Nigeria.
“So today, we gather to celebrate more than a football club; we honour a legacy of resilience, excellence, and unity that has defined Ndigbo for over five decades.
“More than a football club, Rangers became a beacon of hope, carrying the dreams of a people determined never to give up.
“The players were warriors on the pitch, competing not just for trophies, but for dignity, pride, and a future where excellence was our standard,” Igboko said.
