Just as late Honorable Ekene Adams  House Committee Chairman on Sports was been committed to the mother earth penultimate weekend, football lovers in country, were woken up in the morning of  Thursday 25 July, with the news of the demise of one of the men that laid the foundation of the Professional Football League in the country, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Proprietor of the defunt Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri. The team that won many domestic titles in the country.

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was a Nigerian businessman, politician, and sports enthusiast.  He was born on September 28, 1942, in Umunumo, Imo State, Nigeria

Chief Iwuanyanwu was into construction, oil and gas, and hospitality. He took the Old Spartans FC of Owerri, from the then Imo state government, and ran it as Iwuanyanwu Nationale until he returned it back to the State Government as Heartland FC of Owerri.

Chief Iwuanyanwu was a former member of the Nigerian Senate
 and held several traditional titles including the Ahaejiagamba of Ngwaland.

Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was a prominent figure in Nigerian football and  made significant contributions to the development of the sport in the country. Iwuanyanwu Nationale FC, under his leadership,  won several domestic titles,  including playing in the CAF Champions League final.

As if that was not enough, then came the news of the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah on Saturday 27 July. The Senator representing Anambra South in the Senate.

This was a rude shock to many, because there was no time that it was said that the Senator was sick. Instead, what we saw was a video he made at the arrival lounge of the Heathrow Airport in London. We saw how he was singing praises with his children. Little did we know that was the last.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah  also businessman, politician, and sports entrepreneur. He was founder and owner of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, a Nigerian professional football club that was based in Nnewi, Anambra State. Ifeanyi Ubah was born on September 3, 1971, in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. His business interests was oil and gas, transportation, sports, and politics.

He was the founder and owner of FC Ifeanyi Ubah a club he acquired from formerly  Gabros International FC. He was the Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Ltd. He was the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District . He won the ticket on the platform of the Youth Peoples Party, before he crossed over to the All Progressive Council.

Ifeanyi Ubah was known for his passion for sports development and youth empowerment in Nigeria. His football club, FC Ifeanyi Ubah gained recognition in Nigerian football and participated in continental competitions like the CAF Confederation Cup. He was the Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association (2015- 2019).

Mourning the exit of the two sports icons, Senator John Owan  Enoh the Minister of Sports extolled their Commitment to Sports Development in the country.

He expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, acknowledging their exceptional contributions to sports development in Nigeria. 

 Senator Enoh remarked that both esteemed individuals are national icons whose passion for sports was infectious.

Senator Enoh stated thus, "the legacies of Chief Iwuanyanwu and Senator Ubah in sports development will forever be remembered. Their dedication to sports development and fostering a healthy sports environment has significantly contributed to the growth and success of Nigerian sports". He mourned their loss and celebrate their remarkable contributions.

In paying tributes to the two former football major stakeholders, the Nigeria Football Federation President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, expressed shock and sadness at the deaths of the prominent personalities. 

He said “We are saddened by the deaths of Chief Iwuanyanwu and Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Ubah. Senator Ubah told me about two weeks ago that he was going to London; I had no idea it would be the last communication between us.

“The two men invested in Nigeria football, thereby empowering the youth and helping to grow the game in our country. They will be missed. I remember how Iwuanyanwu Nationale got to the final of the African Champion Clubs’ Cup in 1988. I also remember that FC IfeanyiUbah played in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2017.

“There are great memories of the two football financiers. The NFF and the Nigeria Football fraternity pray that the Almighty will grant them eternal rest, and grant their loved ones the fortitude to bear the big losses" Gusau said.

Many people have been paying tributes to these two men who contributed enourmosly to the development of the game in the country.

But, one thing that should be a thinking point for those of us still living should be what are those factors that made these icons to disband their clubs, and leave the game when they left. How long will it take for us to correct the anomalies and take Nigeria football to the promiseland where both Iwuanyanwu and Ubah envisaged, by the various vices in the game could not allow them. They have contributed their quota, and left the scene,  it is left for us to put on our thinking caps, because tomorrow may be too late.