Former Nigeria international Nwankwo Kanu has announced he will run for president of Nigeria in 2019.
Inspired by George Weah’s feat, Kanu, who once played for Ajax, Inter Milan, and Arsenal during his active days, said he had the dream to transform the most populous black nation.
While announcing his intention to run for president, Kanu – the 1996 and 1999 African Player of the Year – addressed a number of his supporters.
“My presence here today is about the future of our country and the happiness of our people,” the 41-year-old said.
“The last 18 years of leadership has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria, plus general insecurity in the land.
“Also, I’ll do all it takes to wrestle corruption which has become blatant and widespread. The rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption.
“If I get your mandate, I promise to do things differently and restore honour and integrity to public service by keeping the best and attracting the best.
“George Weah’s victory in Liberia is a pointer that this dream is very realistic with you all on my side.”
Kanu will be hoping to become Nigeria’s fifth president in the fourth Nigerian Republic by unseating incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari.
Culled from goal.com
BIOGRAPHY OF NWANKWO KANU
Nwankwo Kanu, OON (born 1 August 1976), or simply Kanu, is a retired Nigerian footballer who played as a forward. He was a member of the Nigerian national team and later captained the Eagles for 16 years from 1994 until 2010. Kanu is a native of Abia State Southeast Nigeria; a member of the Igbo ethnic group; more specifically Aro sub-group. His name, Nwankwo, means Child born on Nkwo market day in the Igbo language
Early career
Born in Owerri , Nigeria, Kanu began his career at Nigerian league club Federation Works, before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. After a notable performance at the U-17 World Championships he was signed by Dutch Eredivisie AFC Ajax in 1993 for €207,047. He made his Ajax debut the following year and went on to score 25 goals in 54 appearances. Kanu also came on as a sub in Ajax’s 1995 Champions League final win over
AC Milan . In 1996, Ajax sold Kanu to Serie A side Inter Milan for around $4.7 million. That summer he captained the Nigerian team that won gold at the Olympics, and scored two late goals in the semi-finals against powerhouses Brazil to overturn a 2–3 scoreline into a 4–3 win in extra time. Kanu was also named African Footballer of the Year for that year.
However, soon after returning from the Olympics, Kanu underwent a medical examination at Inter, which revealed a serious heart defect; he underwent surgery in November 1996 to replace an aortic valve and did not return to his club until April 1997. In interviews, Kanu frequently cites his faith as a Christian, [14] and has often mentioned this trying time of his career as an occasion when he prayed to God. Kanu’s experience also led to his founding the Kanu Heart Foundation, an organisation that helps predominantly young African children who suffer heart defects and whose work was expanded to provide aid for homeless children in 2008.