By John C Okafor, KSM
What we had on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Owerri Sports Club was a President’s Night like no other! As expected, the occasion not only lived up to the billings but actually exceeded the expectations of all present: members and distinguished guests alike.
Apart from attendance that was very impressive in all ramifications, this year’s (2025) President’s Night was, literally and metaphorically speaking, an assemblage of WHO is WHO in Nigeria, cutting across diverse backgrounds of human endeavors: Trade Union Activists, members of the Academia, Politicians, Public Servants , Civil Servants, Professionals, Captains of industries, Business Tycoons, Clergy, Lay faithfuls, Traditional Rulers, Traditionalists, etc. In summary, it was a gathering of men and women with diverse weight categories: many heavyweights, some light weights and very few feather weights.
Planning was grand. Execution was grandiose. Finishing was grandiloquent. It was, perhaps, the best President’s Night in the annals of the history of Owerri Sports Club : the best and the biggest Sports Club in the South East.
The man that made this positive and joyful development possible is an handsome, focused, gogetting and performance driven youthful President of Owerri Sports Club, Comrade Sir Uchenna Nwokeji, KSJI. He is also, by the grace of God, the National Treasurer of the National Association of Senior Staff of Nigeria Universities. The fact that respected and well known trade union activists came in their numbers to honor his invitation to the epoch making event is an eloquent testament to his character, personality and wide acceptability within their circle.
Chairmaned by the Member Representing Mbaitoli in Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Innocent Ikpamezie, the day’s activities began at about 4.00 pm with the usual rituals of opening Prayer led by Ezinna Sir Maduewesi, KSM, presentation and breaking of kola nuts, establishment of the Club’s Protocols by the President, President’s Address and Chairman’s opening remarks.
Next was Honorees Awards. Beneficiaries included Comrade Joe Ajaero: President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Prof. Mrs. Nnenna Nnannaya Oti: Vice Chancellor of FUTO, Comrade Mohammed H. Ibrahim : National President of SSANU, Corps Commander Anthony Okoronkwo Uga: Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Imo State Sector Command and Dr. John Owan: PRO SSANU, University of Calabar Chapter.
Four new Trustees of the Club, duly elected in a General Meeting, were sworn in, thus bringing the total number of Trustees of Owerri Sports Club to eight. They are Engr Sir Leo N Okereke, Engr. Dr. Nathaniel Nwagbuda, Apostle Kingsley Innocent and Chief Barrister Malachy Nwaiwu.
Trustees of the Club prior to yesterday’s event are Chief Anthony Ezenna: Orange Drugs, Most Distinguished Hon Jonas Okeke, Barrister Jude Ikechukwu Ogamba and Barrister Osita Nwosu, PhD.
Three Patrons were elevated to the status of Life Membership of the Club in the course of the ceremony. They are Chief Paul Ike (OMEUDO), Sir Ken Eloka Oyeka and Chief Ugochukwu Osuji.
Program of event included the promotion of five prominent Celebrities of the Club to the rank of Patron. Beneficiaries are Mr. Stanley Chidozie Imo, SAN, Chief K. C. Dozie, Hon. Chike Orjiakor: the immediate Past President of Owerri Sports Club, Barrister Chief Lawrence Uzowuru, PhD and Mr. Philip Onwubiko, Sir F. O. Duruaku and HRM Eze Samson Mbakwe Okwudinma, KSM.
Ten Members were also elevated to the rank of Celebrities of the Club during the action packed event. They include Chief Sir Finbar Ogunta, Chief Mrs Ngozi Anwuchuchum, Sir Nnamdi Agbor: Vice President of Owerri Sports Club, Dr Uwakwe A. Uwakwe: Financial Secretary, Prince Anaele Ahukemere, High Chief Dr Emma Bukar Iwuh, Mr Damian Nosike, Chief Joe C Ejiogu, Mrs Thelma Johnson and Chief Henry C Oleribe.
Fourteen quality persons of proven character were also inducted as members of the Club with full rights and privileges during the colorful event.
The impactful performance of Comrade Sir Uchenna Nwokeji in the area of peacemaking was impactfully noted. His historic roles in restoring enduring peace in Owerri Sports Club was lauded and appreciated by some friends who presented to him a large sized and uniquely designed portrait of himself captioned, THE PEACE MAKER OF OWERRI SPORTS CLUB.
Other persons who contributed significantly to the amicable resolution of the hitherto teargas induced and litigations laced crisis were also honored. They are Dr Mrs Angela Uwakwem, Most Distinguished Hon. Jonas Okeke, Engr. Sir Chibuike Onyejietu, KSJI and Chief Peter Igwe.
Winners of the Presidential tournaments heralding the President’s Night were called out and handsomely rewarded. They emerged from Tennis, Badminton and Squash Sections.
The overtly pleased, happy and appreciative beneficiaries of the afermentioned events, friends and well wishers responded positively and landed properly and beautifully to the admiration of all present. It was a NAIRA RAIN, perhaps, the best in the history of the Club.
As the saying goes, the reward for good work is more work. President Comrade Uchenna Nwokeji, KSJI and his hardworking and energetic Team have performed marvelously well. Having done just one year, they should be encouraged to do yet another year for purposes of consolidation and further upliftment of the Club.
The joyful, colorful and no dull moments event came to an a peaceful end at about 10.00 pm with a powerful vote of thanks delivered by the Vice President of Owerri Sports Club, Sir Nnamdi Agbor and a thankful closing Prayer led by Pastor Ben Dialah of Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
John C Okafor, KSM, reporting.
