Within a short while in China, Odion Ighalo says he’s enjoying life, culture and food of the East Asian country despite the initial challenge, reports TAIWO ALIMI.
ODION Ighalo, Changchun Yatai of China ‘big boy’, has been talking about his pet project; ‘Ighalo Orphanage Home’ and adapting to new life and culture in China.
The Super Eagles striker joined the Chinese Super League club for a reported £20 million in January of this year and he has settled down nicely netting four goals in 14 appearances.
Though adapting to a new environment and culture has been a challenge, Ighalo admitted he has straightened out properly after the initial goal drought and now enjoys his new home in Eastern Asia.
“It’s not been easy because it’s a new life, new country, new culture and new league but I’m happy all is going on well,” stated the vastly travelled Ighalo who fired FC Grenada and Watford FC to the La Liga and Premier League during his goal-rious spell in Spain and England respectively. “ Glory be to God, I’ m happy here in China because it is a different experience and challenge for me.
“It’s been great so far, all thanks to God, but I’m getting better every day; I’m feeling much better now because of the support I’ve been getting in my club. “Even when the goals were not coming, they kept supporting me because they know what I’m capable of doing.”
The 27-year-old who has previously played in Norway, Italy, and Spain and England said the challenge in China has been worth his while after captaining Changchun Yatai on different occasions.
He explained: “It was not a difficult decision for me to make (joining Changchun Yatai) particularly when Watford could not make agreement with the other teams (that wanted me) because of the huge amount of money they wanted. It was then I decided it was time to head to Asia.
“Changchun Yatai may not be a big club but they want to achieve something great this season, and I’m ready to help them do better than they did last season.”
Changchun Yatai occupies the 10th position in the China Super League where Mikel Obi and Obafemi Martins also star.
“The Chinese League cannot be compared to EPL but the league is growing and improving,” he reasoned.“It is getting more difficult now though because lots of teams invest in foreign players, so it’s more competitive now.”
Ighalo said he’s enjoying the process of getting acquainted with the Chinese culture: “It is a different lifestyle and culture, compared to England but I love every bit of it. It is a new experience for me.”
The Super Eagles striker said the Chinese love rice as much as Nigerians, hence he tends to indulge as often as he does back at home, disclosing that he has started taking classes to improve his mastery of the language.
He revealed: “Well, they have lots of food and almost like Nigeria, they eat lots of rice here, so that’s not bad for me because I love rice a lot. It is a bit difficult with the language but I am trying my best to blend in.
“I just started a Chinese class with a private teacher three times a week to learn the language so as to ease things up for me. I can speak Italian and Spanish fluently well, so I am learning the Chinese language too.”
Born and bred in the famous Lagos ghetto, Ajegunle, Ighalo has a heart of gold and is touched by the plight of the under-privileged. “If you ask me what makes me happy, I will tell you that it is my family: wife and kids. I also derive joy from making and seeing people happy. It gives me joy.”
Little wonder he started the ‘Ighalo Orphanage Home’ on which he has spent lots of money. “I am planning the launching of the home in December after the football season. For now, I have no beneficiary. I’m running it on my own and with my money, I thank God for grace and strength to do it up to this level and hopefully after the launching we can get sponsors or people who can help to give the kids better life.” Continuing, he said the orphanage located at Kudeyindu Estate in Ijegun, Lagos, will cater to motherless children from different backgrounds.
He said it is also a way to show his appreciation for what God has done for him. “I thank God for the journey so far because I’m not the best or better person but the grace of God has taken me beyond my imagination and I’m grateful to all who played a part including my fans worldwide. I like to listen to praise and worship songs too.”
Even in China, Ighalo has identified with the orphanage while spreading his apostle of catering for the disadvantaged.
In June, he visited an orphanage in China and shared pictures of his visit to the young boys at one of the orphanage homes in China on his social handles.
Ighalo noted that he had fun with the boys as they even played football together.
While he is one of the highest paid Nigerian football players, Ighalo had a tough rise to stardom and this has made him continually reach out to those that are disadvantaged.
He is of the strong belief too that his humble beginning is an inspiration to many Nigerian and African kids. He recently wrote on his Instagram page while posting two pictures of himself as a teenager in Ajegunle and now as a successful professional in China.
He wrote: “From Ajegunle to the world, I serve a living God; this is me 11 years ago. Those earrings are not earrings; I could not even afford to buy earrings. What you are seeing are tape – (plaster).
“I am a testimony, I knew with God everything is possible. I was just holding on to my God, my high school girlfriend left me then because I had nothing to offer her. ”But I had God and I had a dream; never give up on your dream. The same God that elevated me shall elevate you.
“Hold on to him and trust his timing. I am a testimony, you are a testimony, put God first and it’s all done Amen.”
