President Bola Tinubu, alongside the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC), has extended heartfelt condolences to Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze following the passing of his mother, Mrs. Sarah Chukwueze. The announcement of the football star’s loss has sent waves of sympathy across the Nigerian football community and beyond.
In a statement released on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the passing of Mrs. Chukwueze as a significant blow to both her family and the broader sports community. He acknowledged the emotional impact of the loss, particularly as it came shortly after another bereavement within the national team.
“The passing of Mrs. Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles’ Captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening,” Tinubu said, highlighting the compounded grief experienced by members of the Nigerian football fraternity in recent days. The president’s statement conveyed both empathy and a personal connection to the grieving families.
Reflecting on the emotional toll of these losses, Tinubu assured the families of his personal support and spiritual solidarity. “I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” he added, expressing a shared sense of grief with the players and their loved ones.
In his message of comfort, the president encouraged the Chukwueze family to remain strong and to draw solace from the legacy of Mrs. Chukwueze. He urged the family to “find solace in the memory and legacy” of their late matriarch, underlining the importance of celebrating the positive impact she had on the lives of those around her.
The statement concluded with a prayer for the repose of Mrs. Chukwueze’s soul, with President Tinubu asking that “God Almighty will grant the departed eternal rest,” reflecting the deeply rooted cultural and spiritual values surrounding loss and mourning in Nigeria.
Mrs. Sarah Chukwueze passed away in the early hours of Thursday following a brief illness, according to a statement by the NSC. The exact details of her illness were not disclosed, respecting the family’s privacy while acknowledging the loss to the wider community.
The news of her passing was first made public by Samuel Chukwueze’s siblings, Princess Chukwueze and David Chukwueze, on their respective social media platforms on Thursday morning. Their posts captured the profound sense of grief and the personal void left by their mother’s death.
In a series of emotional posts on Instagram, David Chukwueze expressed his struggle to come to terms with the loss. “Can’t even post your picture to say RIP mum,” he wrote, illustrating the depth of his grief. In another post, he lamented, “My forever love just left me without saying goodbye,” highlighting the suddenness of the bereavement.
David also reflected on the missed moments with his mother, adding, “You didn’t even carry your grandchild,” a poignant expression of the personal milestones that would never be shared with Mrs. Chukwueze. These candid expressions resonated widely with fans and the football community, who have rallied to offer support to the grieving family.
The NFF general secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, described Mrs. Chukwueze’s passing as devastating. He highlighted her vital presence in her children’s lives and her significant influence on Samuel’s professional development. “Samuel has always, at every opportunity, acknowledged his mother’s influence on his professional development,” Sanusi said, adding that the loss comes just days after mourning the father of Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi.
Sanusi prayed for the eternal rest of Mrs. Chukwueze and for strength for those left behind. “We pray that God will grant her eternal rest, and also grant those she has left behind, including Samuel and his siblings, the fortitude to bear the big loss,” he said, framing the collective grief within a context of hope and resilience.
The NSC also released a statement expressing deep sadness over Mrs. Chukwueze’s death. The commission described her as a strong support figure in her son’s football career, noting that family plays a central role in the character and resilience of Nigeria’s elite athletes.
“The National Sports Commission stands in solidarity with Samuel Chukwueze and offers support to him and his family at this difficult time,” the statement read, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to the wellbeing of national sports figures and their families during moments of personal loss.
Across the landscape of Nigerian sport, Mrs. Chukwueze’s influence was acknowledged and respected. Her guidance and encouragement were seen as pivotal to Samuel’s development, both on and off the pitch, illustrating the enduring impact of parental support in nurturing talent and character among professional athletes.