Former Wikki Tourist and Nigeria international Raymond Onyekachi Aja, who has been struggling with a spinal cord injury that put paid to his glowing career 25 years ago, has sent a passionate SOS (Save my Soul) message to the Minister of Sports Development John Enoh and the president of the Nigeria Football federation (NFF) Ibrahim Gasau.

In 1999, Aja, alongside, other teammates were involved in a ghastly auto accident on club assignment to Katsina. The accident crippled him for life.

Speaking from his base in Bauchi, Aja, who recently lost his father, who he described as his pillar, since he became incapacitated, said he needs the help of the Sports Minister, the NFF chief and well-meaning to provide for himself and his family.

Onyekachi’s story will make even the strong-hearted cry.

From infancy, he knew he would be a professional footballer. Football runs in his family but he was specially endowed. By the time he could kick football properly he began to turn heads at school football competition rising to captain his school within two years. Once he got into secondary school, the Anambra state academicals came after him to play for the U-13 team and from here there is no looking back. He became a regular in the team. For ‘Onyeka’ as he is commonly called, many fans would come to the stadium. He was energetic and fluid, bringing a new dynamism into left full back plays. The teenage Onyeka would dribble his way from defense to attack and scored his fair share, sometimes from difficult positions. He was sold to football soul and body.

Things were still looking up for ‘Onyeka’ when he signed for University of Nsukka (UNN) Football team, a semi-professional side, upon leaving secondary school. Shortly after he moved to intercity FC, another semi-professional team, but he skill would only be good for the best-a professional team.

In 1996, Onyeka took his destiny in his hands. He left home for Bauchi for trial with Wikki Tourist FC, one of the biggest professional clubs till date. He mesmerized the coaching crew within a short time and got a contract. Onyeka did not spent much time on the bench. He got a regular shirt benching one of the oldest members of the team in the process.

His coming may have given Wikki Tourism a new lease of life as it proceeded from Division 3 to Division 2 in 1997. In 1998 Wikki gained promotion to Division 1 and won the FA Cup, beating Plateau United at the Ranchers Bees Stadium, Kaduna, 3-2 on penalty shootout. The win gave Wikki ticket to represent Nigeria in the then African Cup Winners Cup now Confederations Cup.

By this time Onyeka had become a household name. Supporters’ club started using his name in their songs. “Onyekachi muna de safi”, they sang, meaning “Onyekachi is very hot.” He was having the time of his life. He was living his dream. He even got a national call from the Nigeria U-17 team under James Peters.

SET FOR GREATNESS

Like a golden fish that cannot be hidden, Onyeka was spotted by foreign scouts in faraway Morocco when Wikki Tourist played Royal Armed Forces. He made an impression on many of them but one in particular, Monsieur Vercourter, a Belgian kept calling him, even in Nigeria.

One bright morning, Onyeka received a call from Vercourter that he had secured a contract for him with Belgian club, Genk FC. And that he had completed his travelling arrangement. He would be leaving in a week.

It was the news Onyeka had been waiting for all his life. He was over the moon. But he had to play one last time for his Nigeria club, one last time, he thought.

CAREER TWIST

This last trip to Katsina became the beginning of his troubles. The salon car they were travelling in got into an accident and Onyeka was among the badly injured players. He sustained a spinal cord injury. He spent three years in and out of surgery tables. He forgot the use of his legs completely and for 20 years has been living in pain and penury.

The ebullient player is now a shadow of himself. What would have been only come to him in dreams-in traumatized dreams, yet Onyeka thank God daily for sparing his life.

THE ACCIDENT

“The game against Katsina United was the last game I wanted to play for Wikki unfortunately we had this accident. Along Ningi-Bauchi-Kano Road, the 504 station wagon we were travelling with somersaulted. I landed on my back and sustained spinal cord injury with a team mate. I can’t forget the accident; if nothing else my condition is a constant reminder. Could you imagine a young man full of life with a lucrative contract in Europe at his fingertips become a cripple? Life is tough even for people who can walk how much more someone in my situation. Life has been difficult for me but I thank God for a few friends who have stood by me all this while.

“The then Governor, Adamu M’uazu, Alhaji Nuhu Wabi, Professor Ilyasu Mohammed, NFA secretary, Sanni Toro, Nurse Mahmoud, Patrick Paschal, Alhaji Issa Matori and other good people of Bauchi rallied behind us to see that we were taken care of. The state government undertook our medical bills at Bauchi State Specialist Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital and UCH Ibadan. The governor also directed the state government to build a house for us on any land of our choice and pay us salary for life.”

ETERNALLY GRATEFUL

Onyeka remained grateful to the former Bauchi governor M’uazu, who also gave him hope to live.

“The late Yakubu and I were discharged from UCH on May 27, 2000 still in wheel chair. I could recollect two ambulances sent by the Bauchi state Government to bring us back to Bauchi. I’m grateful to the state government for offsetting the hospital bills. They also provided the ambulance that took me home to Nsukka on September 15, 2000.”

“I want to thank God that I’m alive to tell my story. It has not been easy for me. I’m not doing anything for a living and I have a wife and kid. Sometimes, he would be sent out of school and I would be calling family members and school friends to help me. Since September 2018, when Wikki Tourist stopped paying my salary, I beg before I eat. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to Bauchi State governor, and the good people of Bauchi to help me. I’m also appealing to the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh to help me. And also NFF president Gusau, they are good people and I know they must have heard about the Wikki Tourist accident in 1999. I am one of the victims. Patrick Pascal and Sani Toro have tried. I need help and I believe that given the opportunity I can do something useful to help myself. Just of recent I lost my dad and we are preparing for the burial,” Aja added. (The Nation)

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