Friends of Chief Osita Chidoka led by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar; Governor of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal; Governor of Plateau state, Caleb Mutfwang; Sen Aminu Tambuwal, and former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday 7 January, donated to the completion of the permanent site of the University on the Niger located at Umunya, Anambra State.
Announcing the donations, Chief Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation and Chancellor of the Athena Center for Policy and Leadership, thanked the donors for prioritising education and expressing the reality that the idea of a university is beyond Geography.
Chidoka, the Commencement Speaker at the inaugural matriculation of the University, was appointed by His Lordship Bishop Owen Nwokolo as Chairman of the Task Force for the relocation of the University to her permanent site.
The Primate, Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev. Dr. Henry Ndukuba, who declared the University opened, described the project as meaningful.
In his sermon, which was held in the institution’s main auditorium to mark the event, the Primate commended the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen, his wife, Dr. Nonyelum Nwokolo, his ministers and the entire parishioners of the diocese, for successfully establishing the institution.
Dignitaries who made donations at the occasion included Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, and Sen. Tony Nwoye, who attracted a road project of about 1 billion Naira to make the school accessible. Chief Godwin Okeke, Founder of GUO Transport, who had donated a building, Sen. Victor Umeh, Valentine Chineto Ozigbo, and Hon. Obinna Chidoka, among others.
Chidoka, while speaking, called on all and sundry to support the University.
“By investing in the University on the Niger, you are not just building structures; you are; moulding lives, careers, and futures,” he said.
“As the Chairman of the Task Force, I had invited some of my friends to the event, and some responded. I want to thank the eminent Nigerians for their immediate response despite the suddenness of the invitation,” Chidoka said.
In his speech, Mr. Peter Obi, who recalled how he gave the current site to the Diocese, called on the Task Force Chairman to do more.
“Osita, as Chairman of the Task Force, you have done well, but you have more friends than these, so you must raise at least one billion naira for the University,” he advised.
Chidoka agreed to continue the fundraising to meet the one billion naira (N1b) target.
In his remark, Bishop Owen Nwokolo thanked the Diocese members and all contributors to the university, which is designed to mould character while imparting knowledge.
The Founder and Spiritual Director of the Children of Light Anointing Ministries, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Prophet Onyebuchi Okocha (popularly known as Onyeze Jesus), has reportedly escaped from the hands of his kidnappers after spending barely four months in captivity.
The Anambra-born spiritual leader, who was kidnapped on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at Nkpor, reportedly escaped from his captors on January 3, 2025, with a new look.
This was corroborated by a video currently trending on social media showing Onyeze announcing his escape, with his hairs and moustache looking very busy and unkempt.
“Today, January 3, 2025, I escaped from the kidnapping gang. It was not ordinary kidnapping o, because they came to kill. Kidnapping is different; this one is killing. If look, you’ll see my beards. Since September 4th I was kidnapped. But thanks be to God…,” he recounted (in Igbo language) in the 56-second video, shortly after escaping from the kidnappers’ den.
Although, details are still sketchy about Onyeze’s freedom, the social media space has been flooded with outpouring of felicitations by many of his fans and other netizens who are celebrating and thanking God for his safe return.
It would be recalled that Onyeze’s abductors, sometime in October, demanded of a whopping sum of two hundred million naira (₦200,000,000) as ransom for his release. They also threatened to kill and deliver his corpse if the ransom was not paid by Saturday, October 5, 2024, which was the deadline.
Fans have described as miraculous and gracious, Onyeze’s safe return, despite the ransom not being paid eventually.
When contacted by this reporter, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, said the Command was aware of the video, but “do not have any details on it.”
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has defeated his counterparts to clinch the Sun Governor of the Year Award for the year 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement attributed to the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Aburime, who said the award has solidified the Governor’s status as an exemplar in progressive governance.
The Press Secretary noted that the editors of The Sun Nigeria, headed by Mr. Onuoha Ukeh (the MD/ Editor-in-Chief) led the editors to visit the Governor in Awka on Friday to present him with the letter of the Award.
While revealing that the award will be officially presented to the Governor on March 1, 2025 in Lagos State, the Press Secretary further hinted that the selection of Governor Soludo for the prestigious award follows weeks of diligent inspection and a painstaking selection process by the publishers of Daily Sun, Saturday Sun, and Sunday Sun.
His words: “Set to receive the prestigious award in Lagos on March 1, 2025, Governor Soludo continues to earn accolades for his progressive leadership and undeniable achievements in the state development.
“Widely regarded as a Mr. Fixer, Mr. Reformer, and Mr. Jinx Breaker, Governor Soludo’s solution-driven governance has silenced critics, proving that diligent verification of projects across sectors paints a compelling picture of progress and underscores the governor’s commitment to a livable, prosperous Anambra State.
“Most notably, among reasons advanced for the award to Governor Soludo include his ambitious road infrastructure projects spanning all 21 local government areas of Anambra State. Also, his investments in human capital development are found to be equally commendable, encompassing pivotal initiatives in healthcare, education, youth empowerment, skills acquisition, and seed capital programmes, among others.
“Governor Soludo, in response, thanked the Sun Editors and Editorial Board for the award. The governor also promised to grace the occasion in March in Lagos when the award will be formally conferred on him.”
The Anambra Times, a privately-owned newspaper, has described and debunked as mischievous, fake, and lies from the pit of hell, the trending news content credited to it on the alleged thickening plot to by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to assassinate the Founder and Spiritual Director of the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (Fr. Ebube Muonso).
This is coming at the peak of the disagreement and media ‘skirmish’ between the state government and Fr. Ebube Muonso over the security situation in the state.
It would be recalled that Fr. Ebube Muonso has recently lashed out some criticisms and condemnations against what he described as worsening insecurity in Anambra State, adding that the state government appears to be adamant to that — a viral criticism that attracted the response and reactions of the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, and some other media aides under the government of the day.
However, as these reactions and counter-reactions continue to trend, a viral media post emerged over the recently on social media, with the title “Breaking: APGA’s Plot to Assassinate Ebubemunso Thickens” and which the author credited to the Anambra Times (a privately-owned news publication platform that has the immediate-past state’s Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu as its Editor-in-Chief), as the source.
Reacting to the news through a statement issued to newsmen on Friday, January 10, the Anambra Times Editor-in-Chief, Sir Nwosu, who refuted the publication as fake, said it was posted on ANAMBRA POLITICAL STAKEHOLDERS FORUM WhatsApp group by one Law Ozalla, adding that the author mischievously and wickedly credited the news to Anambra Times as his source.
Sir Nwosu further highlighted some points to authenticate and corroborate the refutation.
The statement read: “Our attention at Anambra Times has been drawn (late last night), to a FAKE NEWS posted on a WhatsApp Group by the name, ANAMBRA POLITICAL STAKEHOLDERS FORUM where the author mischievously and wickedly credited to Anambra Times as his source. The FAKE NEWS was posted by one LAW OZALLA and titled: “Breaking: APGA’s Plot to Assassinate Ebubemunso Thickens.” We wish to categorically state as follows:
“Anambra Times has never published a news item with such a Slug (title) on our news blog or posted any content that forewarns of any planned violence against anybody on any social media platform or WhatsApp Group. Our website/news blog (www.anambratimes.ng) is open 24 hours to the public and this can be fact-checked and confirmed.
“Our editorial team, including our Editor-in-Chief do not belong to the WhatsApp Group in question.
“Our reportage in the last 8 years when Anambra Times debuted has been characterised by objective and accurate reporting. We are guided by our slogan which says: “…facts don’t lie”. We are not known for reporting lies and this is why we have commanded a cult following/readership for close to a decade now.
“The format of the said report does not sync with our House Style where we insist on using our reporter’s byline to identify who filed in a story or “AT Reporter” to indicate that the news was distilled in-house from a pot-pourri of reports.
“Someone somewhere, in attempt to give his false report some credibility, must have opted to freeload on Anambra Times editorial integrity to get some attention. We will resist any attempt to stain our hard-earned professional reputation built over these years.
“We wish to emphatically state once again that at no time did we write or publish the said news story which we consider malicious, aimed at creating panic and bad blood, as well as unnecessarily overheating the polity.
“Administrators of the WhatsApp Group should check what their members dump on the platform to avoid dire consequences for their negligence.”
The Chairman of Obi Jackson foundation Chief Earnest Obiejesi has stated that he would continue to assist his people with his foundation irrespective of the incident that occurred last month.
Obiejesi who stated this during the funeral of the twenty one persons that died in the stampede stated that the program had been on in the last fifteen years adding that this is part of his contributions towards bettering the lives of his kit and kin.
It was estimated that the ugly incident that occured on the 21st December, 2024 claimed 21 lives and others sustained various degrees of injury in the stampede caused by the distribution of rice organised by a son of the town and philanthropist, Chief Earnest Obiejesi, also known as Obi Jackson.
Delivery his sermon at St. Mary’s School Field Okija, venue of the Church service, the Bishop of Ihiala Diocese of Anglican Communion, Rt. Ralph Okafor, while consoling with the families of the victims, urged the people to accept what has happened as a will of Almighty God.
He urged the people to pray against any reoccurrence of the tragedy in the community.
He also appeal to the Philanthropist not to allow the incident discouraged him from his continues service to humanity.
Continuing the Philanthropist, Chief Obiejesi, on his condolences speech, promised to continue to support the families of the victims.
“I have been providing this kind gesture for the past 15 years without such incident. I and my foundation will continue to empowered the vulnerable families of Okija Kingdom.
Chief Obiejesi, while commending the Traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Emeka Nnamdi Okezie, for ensuring a peaceful service, described the stampede as the baddest incident his foundation will ever witnessed since its inception.
In their unanimous reactions amidst tears, the families of the victims, pray God to grand their departed ones enternal rest.
There is apprehension among Delta State elected and appointed officials who served in the administration of ex-Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The apprehension may not be unconnected with the ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion state funds by the ex-Governor by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The National Bureau of Statistics reported that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) shared funds among the oil-rich states, especially Delta state, which petitioners said could not be accounted for.
In the petition, especially from Elder Statesman Edwin Clark, Okowa was alleged to have used his office as governor to loot and acquire assets amounting to N1.3 trillion. Some assets are said to be shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company, among other investments in the oil sector.
The commission quizzed the Delta State Accountant General, Mrs Joy Enwa, and Ekeruche, the former Director of Finance and Administration (DFA), Government House, Asaba, twice.
While the dust over their arrest, detention and release by the EFCC were yet to settle down, the commission has again invited alongside a former Permanent Secretary with the clause that the invitation or arrest shall continue until all those implicated are interrogated.
The commission had arrested and detained the Permanent Secretary over the alleged withdrawal of N87 billion from government coffers on Okowa’s directives and the alleged diversion of funds said to be part of the 13 per cent derivation fund earmarked for Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
Some politicians and appointed officers who have yet to go underground and have worked with the ex-governor who spoke anonymously said they worked with directives from the governor, ready to reveal what they know and not prepared to carry anybody’s cross.
“Some of us are restless. Those who have questions to answer are those who worked with DESOPADEC. That is the basics of the petition. But if they come for us, we say what we know,” the politician assured.
Enwa, who was said to have implicated others, initially vowed to keep a sealed mouth. Still, Leant has an open can of worms for those involved in the looting, giving an avenue for EFCC to keep inviting others to be connected to the money.
Enwa and others have been reporting to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers, and Lagos state offices for more questioning on the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion in state funds and other funds.
The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Okowa’s and others’ arrest and detention at the anti-graft agency’s offices.
He said while some were released with strict conditions last December and this month, especially Okowa, whose international passport was seized, one was released this week with the caveat that they report to the commission for further questioning.
Police have launched an intensive search as yet-to-be-identified gunmen have kidnapped two reverend sisters of Catholic church in Anambra State.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen over the week. He said the incident occured in the evening of Tuesday, January 7, 2025, along the Ufuma Road, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the reverend sisters were returning from a Vocational service meeting in Ogboji.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, alongside the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations visited the scene for a spot assessment and stated that the command is already working with some clues for the possible arrest of the suspects and rescue of the victims
“Further details shall be communicated, please,” the statement partly.
Nigerian writer and journalist, Izunna Okafor, on January 9, 2024, clocked 31 years of age.
The award-winning literary figure and journalist announced this on his social media handle on Tuesday, and had, in a recent interview with our correspondent, described his life as one full of with testimonies, looking back to where and how he started from.
Recalling and recounting how hideous it was for him in his early years, particularly in his teens; he appreciated God for His marvelous work and infinite mercies.
Okafor went memory lane to narrate how he had his primary school education (at the Community Primary School, Ebenator) and some parts of his secondary school (at the Community Secondary School, Ebenator) barefooted, and with tattered school uniform, to the credit of his family’s background.
According to him, being a son of a palm-wine tapper, hunter and electrician in a rural village; he started struggling his way out early in life, precisely during his secondary days when he began to do some handiworks, such as cutting palm-nut, hunting, clearing bushes for farmers, tilling the ground/farmland, packing/dumping sands at village rivers, among menial jobs.
According to him, it was from these he was doing after school hours and on non-school days, that he saved money to publish his first book, ‘Ikem’s Adventure’ (a novelette) back then in 2012 during his secondary school days. This, he said, was a single feat that did not only pave way for metamorphosis in the taste of his life story, but also eventually landed him on the track of greatness where he rides and resides till date.
A second son and third child in the family of Mr. Josephat Okafor Udeze and Mrs. Susan Okafor Udeze in Ebenator, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Izunna Okafor, is a novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, editor, translator, publicist, Igbo language activist and an administrator.
He graduated from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, where he studied Public Administration. He also holds O.N.D in Public Administration from the same school. He also holds Post-graduate Diploma in Mass Communication and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Mass Communication at the Paul University.
A published and international best-selling author, his books include ‘Ikem’s Adventure’ (his first book) published in Nigeria in 2012, during his secondary school; ‘The Curse of A Widow’ (his second novel), published in 2013; ‘The Faithful Children’ (his third book), published in 2014 (which received outstanding recognition in the Ezenwa Ohaeto Prize for Young Nigerian Novelists 2015); ‘Ajọ Enyi’, his debut Igbo novel and fourth book, published in 2015; ‘Step-by-step Guide to Creating, Publishing and Selling E-book and Paperback on Amazon: A Lecture Note’, among other books.
With ‘Ajọ Enyi’, he became the first person to win the Nigerian Writers Award 2015/2016 as the Indigenous Writer of the Year. Also, with Ajọ Enyi, he won the Pita Nwanna Award for Igbo Literature in 2015; and also got shortlisted for The 2015 Young Nigerian Writer of The Year, and the 2017 Nigerian Writers Award.
He has edited and co-edited over 30 books and anthologies (published nationally and internationally).
He has been published in many anthologies, nationally and internationally; has thousands of articles/essays as well as poems and short stories published online and on many platforms, to his credit.
A diglot writer, Okafor writes perfectly in Igbo and English languages, and has published widely in both languages.
He has won and been nominated/shortlisted for a number of awards, which include:
Nigerian Writers Award/Indigenous Writer of the Year 2015/2016
Pita Nwana Prize for Igbos Literature 2015
Society of Young Nigerian Writers Award Nigeria
Heritage Icon Award/Young Writer of the Year Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016
Merit Award from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (2016)
Award of Recognition from Students Union Government, Unizik (2017)
Nigerian Writers Award/Young Writer of the Year 2015/2016
N.Y.S.C. Essay Competition 2012
SLAM Hero Youth International Award/Innovative Youth of the Year 2016
First Prize Winner, NAPAS Essay Competition, 2016
The Future Award Africa 2016
Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Youth Writer of the Year 2016
Award of Academic Excellence from National Association of Public Administration Students (2016)
Inspire Award /Outstanding Youth in Academics 2017
NAPAS Academic Icon of the Year 2017
Anambra Campus Award 2017/Campus Writer of the Year 2017
Award of Excellence from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers 2016
Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Outstanding Youth of the Year 2017
Youth Writer of the Year 2016
Starlett Entertainment Award/Creative Writer of the Year 2016
Young Author Award, 2018
Creative Crew Africa/Young Talent of the Year 2018, among others
Campus Best Writer of the Year, 2018
Campus Best Journalist of the Year 2018
Young Achievers Award/Best Young Writer of the Year 2019
National Light Staff of the Year 2019
Anambra Media Excellence Award/News Reporter of the Year 2019
Recognition Award, Anambra Through A Lens, 2020
Amazon Masterclass Award/Most Resilient Male Student 2021
Anambra Media Excellence Award/Best News Reporter of the Year 2021
ACORA/Awka Diocese Media Personality of the Week (November) 2021
South East Media Award 2021
Ebedi International Writers Residency (June) 2022
AMEA 2022/Outstanding Indigenous Language Media Content Creator of the Year
2nd Runner-up, NUJ/Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna Award for Ethical Journalism, 2023
Anambra Media Excellence Award 2024/Outstanding Journalist of the Year.
Literary Advocate of the Year 2024/FROFWIC Achievers Award
Investigative Journalist of the Year 2024/Anambra First Media Awards 2024
He also has some certificates of award, recognition and participation, the most recent of which include:
Certificate of Recognition from the ImpactField Global Initiative (2018)
Certificate of Award from the Applex Art and Creative Crew Africa (2018)
Certificate of Participation (War Against Fake News 2019)
Certificate of Completion for the SprinNG Advancement Fellowship, 2020
Certificate of Participation, Naija Haiku Poetry Workshop, 2020, among others.
Wikimedian Certificate from Igbo Wikimedian Hub 2020
Certificate of Appreciation from International Human Rights Art Festival 2020
Amazon Masterclass Certificate, 2021,
Certificate of Honour from Prolific Fiction Writers Community, 2023, among others
At the age of 21, Okafor was nominated for The Future Award Africa 2016/African Prize For Education, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious African youths awards.
Aside being a creative writer, Okafor is also an Igbo language activist who has played and continued to play great roles in sustaining and promoting Igbo language and culture. He preaches and takes the ‘gospel’ of Igbo language and the need for its sustenance to every nook and cranny, ranging from schools to churches, radio/television stations, and to other public places, being part if his own contribution and strategic measures to ensure that the language does not go extinct as predicted by the UNESCO in 2012.
He has also been featured in many radio and television stations across the country on this mission.
In addition to these, Okafor is also a renowned journalist and columnist currently working with 247ureporter and other platforms.
He also writes for Igbo Radio, which is an online Igbo language news hub headquartered in Canada, and also freelances for other media/publishing houses, both the online and print media.
Okafor is the Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter, which is a literary body that hosts Chinua Achebe Literary Festival, an annual literary event held in memory and honour of Late Prof. Chinua Achebe, since 2016.
He is the Editor-in-Chief of Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology which is an international anthology annually published in honour of Achebe. The most current editions of the anthology include ‘Arrows of Words (for Chinua Achebe)’, ‘Achebe: A Man of the People’, ‘There Was a Man’, ‘Achebe the Soul Brother’, ‘Anthills of Words (for Achebe)’, ‘Echoes from the Anthills’, among others.
In April, 2020, Okafor was appointed the Project Coordinator, Writers Against COVID-19 Movement. He is the Editor of the COVID-19 Poetry/Essay Anthology, titled ‘Ripostes of Locked Down Voices’, which is the first international anthology of poems and essays on COVID-19.
He has served as a judge in many national and international writing-related competitions.
He is also an alumnus and 2020 Fellow of the SprinNG Advancement Fellowship, being championed by the SprinNG Literary Movement.
He edits and publishes an annual Special Valentine Poetry Collection, which are all available online for free download.
During his undergraduate days, he was also an Editorial Board member of the FAMASSA Magazine.
He is Ambassador of TFA Africa in Nigeria; and Ambassador of Read Across Nigeria in Anambra State.
An alumnus of Unizik, he is also a former Secretary General of the National Association of Public Administration Students (NAPAS), as well as the current National Secretary General of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers.
Okafor is the current Public Relations Officer of the Ebenator Development Union.
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has commended members of the National Assembly from Ebonyi State, for ensuring the welfare of their constituents as top priority.
Nwifuru stated this on Saturday during the Thanksgiving Service and Empowerment programme organized by the Senator representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial zone, Sen Kenneth Eze, held at Amagu, Ezza South LGA, Ebonyi State.
The Governor said, for the first time, all National Assembly members from the State, are doing exceptionally well, especially in human empowerment, infrastructure development and good relationship with the people.
He also praised the cooperation and unity that exist among the Lawmakers despite Party differences, describing it as the first of its kind.
“At this particular point in time, God blessed Ebonyi State with good leaders at the National Assembly. For the first time, that all our National Assembly members are doing exceptionally well in the area of Human empowerment, infrastructure development and good relationship with the people.
“The members of the National Assembly are very unassuming and more importantly, the cooperation and unity that exist among them, despite that they are in different political parties. They don’t have time to gossip against themselves.”
“They are doing very well and we have nothing against them. And as a leader of the Party, I will not be the one to start generating crisis in my house and I won’t be ready to fund crisis in my house”, the Governor said.
He urged those warming up to replace the Lawmakers in the next election to wait, as he would not be a party to stopping any of the Lawmakers from going back in 2027, except the person uses his hand to stop himself.
“So, you need to wait. If God says that any of the National Assembly members will not go back, it’s not going to be your making but theirs. Anybody that God doesn’t want back, God will package it in such a way that none of us will be blamed, because, I don’t want to be blamed.
“I won’t reject going for a second tenure, so I won’t stop any other person from going for a second tenure”, Governor Nwifuru concluded.
He urged those that have commenced consultation ahead of the 2027 to have a rethink, as according to him, the time is still too far.
“It’s too early to start discussing 2027 now. So, don’t start now to waste your money and time doing consultation”, he advised.
Senator Kenneth Eze in his speech, said he initiated the empowerment programme to complement the efforts of the Governor who he said had rolled out so many empowerment programmes for the people of Ebonyi State since he assumed office.
He thanked the Governor for honoring the invitation despite his tight schedules, saying, he won’t take it for granted.
“I thank you immensely for making our time to honor me, very significant for honoring me, I won’t take it for granted .I know how tight your schedules are, but you still sacrificed your time to be here, to honor me. Your Excellency, I want to say that the host of angels of God will honor you, all the days of your life”, Eze said.
Eze further assured the Governor that the people of the zone, would replicate his love for them through their massive vote for him, come 2027 election.
Stakeholders who spoke at the event including the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi; Member representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, Hon Chinedu Ogah; the State Chairman of APC, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha; former member of House of representatives, Hon Lazarus Ogbee; and the Retired Chief Judge of the State High Court, Justice Aloy Nwankwo, commended Senator Eze for offering quality representation to the people of Ebonyi Central Senatorial zone.
Items distributed by Senator Eze include: 14 Mini Buses, 2 Toyota Sienna Cars, 4 Toyota Corolla Cars, 100 Motorcycles , 40 Tricycles, 100 Grounding Machines, 100 Sewing Machines,150 Spraying Machines, 14 Big Freezers, 12 Laptops for Students,10,000 bags of Rice 5kg, 100 bags of 25kg rice, 50 bags of 50kg rice, 2000 bags of fertilizer
and 100 cartons of liquid fertilizer, Thousands of Exercise books for schools across the zone, among other items.
The grand finale of Dr. Darlington Ugota Unity Cup has produced the Green Revolution FC of Onueke and the Bombers of Amudo FC as winners from the senior and junior cadre respectively.
In a thrilling football competition, Green Revolution FC defeated the Azuebonyi FC, while the Bombers of Amudo defeated the Flying Pigeon of Idembia with one goal each.
The grand finale of the event, which took place at the Onueke township stadium in the Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi state, attracted the presence of the state Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and a host of others.
Speaking at the event held at Onueke township stadium in Ezza south local government area, Ebonyi state, Governor Nwifuru represented by Hon. Richard Idike, Commissioner for youth and sports development in the state, commended the sponsor of the competition for investing in his people.
He reiterated the state’s commitments to promoting sports activities in the state as a way of creating employment opportunities and generating revenues for both players and investors.
“To us, sports used to be just for fun, but now we have realized that it’s financially attractive; that is why today we have established the Abakaliki football club, and it is sponsored by the state.
“All the financial requirements for the club activities for the year have been approved by the state, and this is to demonstrate that the current government is committed to promoting sports in the state.” Nwifuru said.
Earlier, Dr. Ugota had disclosed that his intention for the football tournament is to observe the performance of players in order to help develop their talents and make them export football stars through the Estington Football Academy, which was unveiled at the close of event.
“I want to assure you that we are not going to leave anyone halfway, we have selected some persons who have displayed very well, and we are going to unveil our football academy, and those who have been selected would be automatically placed on scholarship in the academy” Dr Ugota assured.
Speaking on the prospects of the Estington football academy, he expressed optimism that it would go as far as being able to produce superstars at the grassroots level while reiterating his earlier determination to bring his investments home to develop his people.
“We are starting the academy from our local government level, which is Ezza South, then we move to Abakaliki, the state capital, then across the country.” He added
Meanwhile, the chairman of the local organizing committee, Barrister Ifeanyi Nworie, said the essence of the unity cup, which is aimed at uniting the people irrespective of political affiliation, cannot be overemphasized.
While congratulating the winners, he advised the youths to take advantage of the Estington football academy and improve their lives.
The winners of the senior cadre, the Green Revolution FC, won a grand prize of 2 million naira, while the 1st and 2nd runner-up took home the sum of 1.5 and 1 million naira, respectively.
Also in the junior category, the
Bombers of Amudo FC was awarded the sum of 700,000, while the 1st and 2nd runners-up were awarded the sum of 500,000 and 300,000, naira respectively.
