By Chinelo Nwangene
Amara Kanu’s marriage with Nigeria’s ex-Super Eagle star, Kanu Nwankwo, came under the spotlight last week after the fitness and healthy living expert was accused by another ex-international, Peter Osaze Odemwingie, of flirting with him on the social media. But the matured way the couple handled the development turned what was a potential marriage scattering scandal on its head.
Odemwinge caused a stir when he posted series of messages on his Instagram page with over 80,000 followers, accusing Kanu’s wife of sending him unsolicited messages. Mrs Kanu had messaged him to get tips on getting her son back on his feet after suffering a knee injury. But, the retired footballer, who shared a photo of Amara with her son lying on a hospital bed, picked offence with her approach, which he interpreted as amoral flirt.
“This is the reason why Nigeria is in this state. Too many people want to be like Americans. God turned his back at America as things stand. Destruction is upon her. How can a wife of a legend like @kingkanu4 be chasing me for a chat relentlessly (check ur DM check your DM) na by force? @amarakanu,” Osaze wrote. He stated that such flirting was forbidden in his culture. He wrote: “Moreover, you are wearing arsenal kit and he can ask them for advice about knee surgery because, he also suffered from similar issues. Your son can’t have a cross on his neck and make those hand signs. That’s fake Christianity, if you didn’t know, ok. Our people selling their own to conform to African American.”
His rant continued: “Those there have been modified by Hollywood and are no more Africans. They don’t even want to associate with Africa with their billions in accounts. How many of them visited Africa in the last 50 years? Shouldn’t NBA all star match take place in Nigeria, at least once? Shouldn’t they be interested to know where their ancestors came from? Set your own trend; Naija, you are more special than America. #prayfornigeria #naija #nigeria @amarakanu, why? Why? Why, Amara? (Delailah). We love our strong man, Papilo.
Wash your hands well oh. And most importantly, your hearts, as I am preaching to many now. Nigeria is more precious to God than America.” In another post, Osaze wrote: “@amarakanu, if your hello can’t be public, it’s probably not just a hello. Mine is #nigeria #naija, LUKE 10:19.” However, things took a dramatic twist when the accused responded with a calmed clarification that he completely misunderstood her communications. She wrote: “@odemwingie_81: Oh! No, no, no! Kindly, take this post down. @kingkanu4 is fully aware of this. We want to talk to you as a family.”
The controversy was turned on its head, when the Atlanta Olympic gold medalist dismissed the allegations with a laugh, urging his fans to ignore the negative news surrounding his wife and channel their energy towards charity.
Posting a short video clip of him and Amara in a happy mood, Papilo, as he is fondly called, wrote via his official twitter handle @papilokanu: “Hahahhhahha!! unfortunately, the world loves negative things without finding out the truth. Honestly, if we could all channel this energy towards positive things and support for charity, the world will be a better place. I don’t understand this talk that my wife is wooing who?” The former Ajax, Inter Millan and Arsenal striker, later sent a final message to his former play-mate.
“Osaze, I am still going to choose family over everything else. My reaching out to you over a situation you passed through, or you reaching me can never be taken out of context as a family. You got this one completely wrong, my dear brother. ONE LOVE!” Odemwinge later realised his mistakes and apologised to the Kanu family for the controversial posts. In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Odemwingie claimed he didn’t mean those words as the Nigerian media portrayed them.
“Picture two shows where my relationship with my big bro, @kingkanu4 was just few months ago. I was misunderstood, acted out of anger or reading too much into the greetings,” he wrote. He went further: “I am on same page with God’s people, who think the type of liberty they’re talking about is not good for the world. We can do things innocently and wear cloths with signs and symbols. We don’t understand, but indirectly representing them. Osaze attacked the Nigerian media for stoking up controversy from his post.
He claimed that Nigerian media brought a different narrative into the matter, due to lack of clarity of what upsets him. “I met @amarakanu once at Watford Stadium, during the charity match for Kanu Heart Foundation and she seemed to be a lovely and humble person.
“Apologies again for any offence. Had nothing to do with the Kanu family, but rather, the influence of American culture on our youths and possibly, even some of our politicians, who will go to any length to live the American dream (Mark 8:36). Don’t know if such a thing exists as too curious about life, but if it does, and it’s an offence, then, I plead guilty”. Meanwhile, the couple had been hailed for their matured handling of the controversy. Onyekachi @prettycachy wrote: “King Papilo. I love your response to @OdemwingieP claims against your wife. I think he should have discussed this privately, rather than bring it to the public domain.”
Peter C. Benjamin also commended the ex-Super Eagles skipper. “Well done Papilo; I love your maturity in replying to the situation. I guess Osaze got it all wrong. Am following you right away – just learnt something from you this evening boss,” he wrote via @iampeterben. Obialunanma was also full of praises for Kanu for sticking with his wife when the allegation was made. She wrote: “Agu! That’s how to shut everyone up. Dear uncle Kanu, thank you for stoically upholding your number one commitment to Amara, to protect her. God bless you.”
Tony Nwokocha @Tonymax_tony, warned people to be careful how they bring private issues to the social media. “With all honesty, the comment Osaze made is capable of ruining someone’s marriage. People should be careful of things they write on social media; calling people out on social media is it really necessary?” Ifeanyi Unaeze, Esq @IfeanyiUnaeze, also declared: “Nice one, Papilo! Don’t allow anyone constitute a nuisance to your happy home.
There are many psychiatric cases locking around these days.” Another commentator, Bravo Timos, however, stressed that Osaze’s apology was a medicine after death, as it would have destroyed the marriage if not the matured way Kanu and Amara responded to it. “His plan to destroy Kanu’s marriage failed woefully. Saying that he was miss quoted isn’t enough reason to hold on. He should have thought twice before he uttered or post anything on his Instagram. Accusing someone’s wife of chasing after you and at the same time apologising, show’s that something is wrong somewhere.”
Abednego @Abedoke also hailed the ex-super eagles star for his approach to the issue: “The best way to deal with public misconception is to address it directly. Remember his hard-earned reputation is at stake, which can even impact his business endorsements. To keep quiet when you should speak up is dangerous.”