The Nation on his storied life in retirement running three companies, pasturing a church in Stockholm, scouting young players for European clubs and mentoring them. Speaking exclusively with The Nation at a highbrow hotel in Ikeja, the footballer turned pastor, whose career lasted over two decades playing for 12 clubs across Africa, Asia and Europe, said his decision to go business line rather than football line after retirement is paying off handsomely.
“Yes! My ministry is in Stockholm. I’m not doing religion but what I call reality. We are making people to understand that Christianity is not about you been poor or riches are not about good or bad but about spiritual life. That is what I call reality in Christ. The focus of Christianity has been shifted so much that when you are poor you are told to come to God so as to become rich.
“I turned down the contract because I was advised by Churchill Oliseh not to sign for any professional team in Nigeria because it may hamper collecting my International Transfer Certificate on time.” “I can’t also forget the day I gave a copy of the Bible to all my teammates, sports director and owner of my club while on the bus going for a football match,” recalled the midfielder who later starred for Xiamen Lanshi.“A lot have been said about Eagles and their handler but I want to say that they have qualified Nigeria for the next Africa Cup of Nations and that is a compliment. Though, there is a whole lot yet to do when it comes to football in general.
Today, his liaison with Patricia is blessed with six children, with double twins much to the pleasure of Pastor Ekong. “We have been married for 20 years and we have six children. Four boys and two girls, we had twins twice.
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