It was supposed to be a day of celebration in Imo State and Owerri, the State Capital in particular. The Election of Senator Hope Uzodinma as the Governor of the State in the November 11, 2024, had just been affirmed by the Supreme Court. And celebrations engulfed the capital city. It was in the midst of the good news that the devil chose to strike.
The State’s Football Team, Heartland Football Club was on its way to Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, to take part in a Football Tournament – TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme Preseason Tournament.
Accompanied by their officials and Coaches, the Players left their base, Dan Anyiam Stadium, at about 3.30pm. They were in high spirit as they drove off in a three-vehicle convoy. Their mood was high.
But suddenly, all that was cut short. While still within Imo State territory, about 30 minutes after they took off, one of the buses was involved in a fatal accident.
Just about 4.00pm, it rammed into a stationary truck, badly parked along the road as the driver tried to avoid an oncoming vehicle.
It was a fatal collision with the parked truck.
The Team’s respected and hardworking Coach, Christian Obi, was in the ill-fated vehicle.
The impact of the collision left him unconscious. Still, there was hope because he had only what was thought to be a small cut on the right leg. But apparently, the sudden collision caused him to enter into shock. He did not regain consciousness. He passed. A number of the Players suffered injuries. But only Coach Obi passed on.
The Club is in deep mourning. In a statement announcing Obi’s passing, it lamented the fate that befell Obi and the Team’s great collective loss. He was a pillar and guided the team to successes. “His name would continue to remain etched in the history of the club following the club’s unbeaten run in the Nigeria National League throughout the 2022-23 season a feat that culminated in the club winning the NNL Super 8 in Asaba, Delta State”, part of the statement read.
Following, Heartland FC’s statement which announced Coach Obi’s passing.
“Heartland FC announces the passing of Coach Christian Obi
“With sadness in our heart and with total submission to the will of God, Heartland FC is announcing the death of Christian Power Obi who died on Friday 23rd August, 2024 from a road accident en route Abakaliki, Ebonyi State to participate in the TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme Preseason Tournament.
“The heart breaking day saw the Heartland FC team departing the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri for the preseason Tournament with enthusiasm at around 3:30pm in three vehicles but at about some minutes after 4pm, one of the vehicles rammed into a carelessly parked truck in its attempt to evade an oncoming vehicle.
“The driver tried as he could but the impact of the collision caused a sudden shock to our coach, Christian Obi who was unconscious with a slight injury to his right leg upon evacuation from the badly affected part of the bus.
“Coach Obi and other injured players were rushed to the nearby hospital at Okwelle in Onuimo LGA of Imo State but despite the best efforts of the medical personnel our revered coach gave up the ghost.
“Words alone cannot fully capture how the news of his death has thrown everyone at the club into deep mourning because of how precious Coach Obi was to the club.
“His name would continue to remain etched in the history of the club following the club’s unbeaten run in the Nigeria National League throughout the 2022-23 season a feat that culminated in the club winning the NNL Super 8 in Asaba, Delta State.
“We appreciate the concerns from all and sundry on the unfortunate incident but the club demands that its privacy and that of the Late Obi’s family be respected during this dark period. The club will not be making further statements for the time being.
“Coach Obi’s remains have since been deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, (FUTH) morgue in Owerri while the injured have been referred to the same hospital for more proper care.”
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