Ex-Super Eagles Star Emenike Opens Up on Losing His Father After $150,000 Medical Treatment in Dubai, Says It Motivated Him to Build a Hospital in Imo State
Former Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike has revealed that the pai+nful loss of his father after an expensive medical battle inspired him to build a full-scale hospital in Imo State. He said the project was driven by personal experience, not wealth or ambition.
Emenike explained that running a hospital goes far beyond constructing a building, noting that medical equipment alone can consume everything a footballer earns in an entire career. He admitted the scale of the investment was unfamiliar and challenging.
According to him, the idea was born when his father fell seriously ill while he was playing for Fenerbahce. After repeated visits to local caregivers who lacked proper equipment, Emenike flew his father to Dubai for treatment, spending about $150,000, but still lost him.
The experience, he said, opened his eyes to the absence of quality healthcare facilities in the Southeast. Determined to change that reality, Emenike decided to invest in a hospital as a way of giving back and proving that athletes can make meaningful, wise investments.
Beyond healthcare, Emenike noted that his hospital, hotel, and apartment businesses now provide employment for more than 70 people combined, though job creation was not his primary goal. He said his main aim was to send a message that success after football requires discipline, foresight, and purposeful investment.
He concluded by warning footballers about the harsh realities of life after retirement, describing it as unforgiving if not properly planned. Emenike also reflected on cultural expectations placed on him as an Igbo man and expressed appreciation for the respect and encouragement he received, admitting it changed his perception of how he is viewed.