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Kenneth Omeruo Passing the Torch

Published

5 years ago

December 25, 2020

Joel Ajayi

For the Super Eagles and Leganes Spaniard football club defender, Kenneth Omeruo, leaving a legacy off the field is just as important as on-field success and the needy in Nigeria and the entire world are taking notice.

To be an athlete is to live in a bubble, one filled with stats, practice, and training. It’s about games most every night. There are hardships, sure changing time zones, red-eye flights, time away from family.

It’s definitely not easy, and very few people are capable of handling that. But that’s life inside one of the world’s most special vacuums.

Outside that bubble, though, is the real world. And in the real world, bigger questions loom. How will needy kids find a lifeboat? Who will help in the face of challenges? Do they have any ray of hope?

Those questions find their way into clubhouses more often than you might think. Super Eagles 2013 AFCON winner, Kenneth Omeruo‘s football academy reaching out and do something extra.

Of a truth, former Chelsea FC of England player is affecting the world in even more significant ways than just having an impressive line on the pitch of play.

Kenneth Josiah Omeruo was born on October 17th, 1993 in Abia State; he grew up in southeast Nigeria and began playing football in his parent’s sitting room.

It was there the dream to make a career out of football was birthed. Sustained by his mother’s support, he played for his school’s team, featuring in several shell cup and grassroots competitions.

Beginning from Nigeria, Omeruo moved abroad to Anderlecht Academy. From there, he moved to Standard Liege of Belgium and in January 2012 was signed by Chelsea.

His time at Chelsea has been characterized by several loan spells. Immediately after signing for Chelsea, he did not allow that to shake him, he was unwavering until he sealed a permanent deal to the Leganes on a five-year deal.

Kind-heart 2013 AFCON gold medalist, Kenneth Omeruo returned back to the old field Catholic Church playing Ground, Gwarimpa, Abuja where he was discovered years ago where scouting for talented young players took place.

OMERUO’S ACADEMY COMPLETE’ SIGNING OF TWO STARS TO LEGANES

Hope returned for a rejected under-20 player Obinna Martins who could not make the trip for Nigeria after considered him not good while another hopeless player Samuel Obaleh was given hope as the Omeruo academy completed their transfer to the Spanish Segunda club.

Obi Martins was among the player’s journalists, football followers were certain he would make the cut when the official list of the Flying Eagles names was released ahead of the 2020 West Africa Football Union Zone B tournament in the Benin Republic but today no hope is lost as heaven and earth smiled on him the courtesy of Omeruo.

ITS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE- MARTINS

An elated Obinna Martin Speaking in Abuja said: “the disappointment of not being selected by the team handlers was a blessing in disguise.

“I did not feel bad about me not joining the team. And they’re not qualifying for the U-20 Nations Cup that is football. You win some, you lose some. My plans are to do well and make the country and my family proud.”

PUTTING SMILES ON THE FACES OF TALENTED NIGERIAN FOOTBALLERS MY PRIORITY-OMERUO

Addressing journalist in Abuja on Thursday, Omeruo expressed: “giving young boys the platform to realize their dream of playing professional football pleased my heart and I promise to use this academy help and discover more talents for Nigeria.

“It is a thing of joy seeing my dream coming to reality. I am happier when my academy facilitated the signing of two players (Obi Martins and Samuel Obaleh) to my club, Leganes.

“I will like to add that seeing players from my academy playing for the national team will make me a fulfilled man after my retirement from football. Giving young talented players such a platform will help reduce crimes rate, help players take good care of their family and more importantly, takes boys off the streets and give them hope.”

He added that: “football is my passion and I know there are a lot of opportunities out there especially for young players because if we have to wait for the players to play in the national team, Under-17 or U-20, we wouldn’t get the best players. And most times the best players don’t have transport fares to go to this trial and I know a lot of boys so, I normally pay for their transport. I had to make sure they come to see if I can help one or two achieve their dream and right now I have two of my players who have already signed a contract with my club in Leganes and they have opened the way for me and given me the opportunity as long as the players are good they can come and I have other platforms I’m still working on to make it possible for these kids to actualize their dreams

“My satisfaction will at one point when I finish playing and I go on TV and see a lot of my boys still playing and being able to lift their family out of poverty because we can’t all depend on the government to help us and with these at least if one family is lifted out they can also affect other people,” he said.

HEAPED ENCOMIOUM ON COACH ABIMBOLA

Just like a river that did not forget his source, Omeruo showered encomium on the man whom God has given grace Coach Abimbola Samuel to discovered him at the same pitch, eleven years ago.

“I feel happy with the crowd I have seen here and the quality I have seen here am really happy and I want to appreciate my coach, coach Abimbola, coach Abu was here also and Emeka for bringing out time to train the boys, to select the boys, it’s purely by merit.”

KENNETH OMERUO A RIVER THAT DID NOT FORGET HIS SOURCE-COACH

As for him a coach that discovered Omeruo and many others coach Samuel Abimbola expressed that I just want to thank God that this is happening while I am alive and am not disappointed because from the day one I had contact with Kenneth, I knew that he’s going to go places because the River of kindness is flowing through his heart, so am not surprised that he’s trying to give back to what has given him fame.

“I want to see him as a role model to others that is when you climb across the big rivers that don’t forget those that are waiting for the canoe, that is what Omeruo is trying to do, I will liken it to the bible10 lepers was cured by Jesus Christ, its only one that went back to give thanks to Jesus and that is what Omeruo is doing.

“A lot of them that made it but how many of them are coming back, some of them are keeping 4 girls in rooms in the hotel, wasting money, buying Lamborghini and forgetting that a day is coming the younger ones they need to have taken care of will be looking on to them.

“I want to congratulate him for this step, the part he has taken; God Almighty will back him up and see him through.

“It means that he’s giving them life, giving them a future, it goes beyond even Omeruo himself, he’s helping Nigeria as a Country, he’s taking problems out of the street, he’s giving life, hope to the parents, I just want to have a way to discuss with this boy that if he is trying to do it now, they should now have it in mind that time is coming, a time to give back time, because if he has not dedicated himself if he was not determined if he was not having the target of where he’s going, he will not be where he is today. A time will come when he’ll be so happy, he’s not expecting money from them but he’s expecting that when he sits on that couch he’ll say, oh God has used me to touch somebody.” Coach Abimbola extolled Omeruo.

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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

3 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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