The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, under the leadership of Honourable Sunday Dare gave out five hundred thousand Naira to the late family of Justice Christopher, the sportsbay.com reports.
The Media Aide to the Honourable Minister, Kola Daniel made the pledge during the Funeral ceremony in Jos.
According to the ace sports journalist, “I’m here to represent the Honourable Minister and to sympathize with the family of Late Justice Christopher, who represented this country at the Senior World Cup in Korea Japan.
“He was a combative midfielder during his playing days and remain the only son of the soil of Plateau State to have played at the senior level as far as World Cup is concerned.
“He deserves National recognition and that is why i am representing the Honourable Minister in his burial ceremony”, he concluded.
“The Ministry of Sports has cultivated the habit of reaching out to ex internationals who are no longer in existence, the likes of Late Rashidi Yekini, late Sam Okparaji, late Ali Jeje, among others whose families are beneficiary of Athletes welfare scheme of the Ministry,” he said.
Justice Christopher died on March 9, 2022 at his hotel in Jos in Central Nigeria.
Christopher reportedly played a social game of football the previous day.
During his lifetime, he captained the Nigeria U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, to the 2001 Africa Youth Championship in Egypt. The team was coached by the late Stephen Keshi.
He had made his debut for the Super Eagles in the same year during 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and racked up a total of 11 caps for the Super Eagles, which include an Africa Cup of Nations Appearance and a World Cup appearance, all in 2002.
The 40-year-old played professional football both in Nigeria and abroad, before retiring at Nassarawa United.
He began his senior career at Katsina United in 1999. Following spells at Sharks and Bendel Insurance, he moved to Belgium in 2001, when he signed for Royal Antwerp.
He also enjoyed spells with Levski Sofia in Bulgaria, Swedish club Trelleborgs FF, Alania Vladikavkaz in Russia and Herfølge BK in Denmark.
