Nigeria, April 13 -- Nigerian billionaire and philanthropist Femi Otedola has mourned the death of Nigerian football legend Christian Chukwu, describing his passing as a "rude shock" and reflecting on the football icon's legacy as a patriot and unifier through sport.

Chukwu, a former Super Eagles captain and coach, died on Saturday at 74, prompting tributes across Nigeria's sporting and political communities.

In a heartfelt tribute titled "Christian Chukwu: An Enduring Legacy", Mr Otedola wrote:

"The sudden passing of the legendary Christian Chukwu, former captain and head coach of the Super Eagles, has come as a rude shock to me.

"As one of Nigeria's Patriots, Christian Chukwu creatively used the game of football as a unifying force ...