The Aguiyi Lives on Unity Cup brought all the 11 electoral wards in Isiuzo, friends and well wishers together in a celebration of our common humanity and grassroots revival.
BY ANAYOCHUKWU AGBO
It was the first of its kind in Isiuzo Local Government Area. Across party and community divides the people united at the maiden Hon. Chijioke Ugwueze Memorial Football Tournament, which ended Sunday, July 31 at Ikem, headquarters of the Local Government, Enugu State.
Tagged “Aguiyi Lives on Unity Cup”, the tournament hosted by Hon Chijioke Ugwueze Foundation, brought all the 11 electoral wards in the local government, friends and well wishers together in a celebration of communal bonding and grassroots revival.
Camp Eha-Amufu Football Club won the maiden trophy, defeating Ikem Ward 2 by a lone goal in a gusty and keenly contested match. Ikem Ward 2 FC won the silver : while Leomakz FC won the bronze, having defeated Ikem Isioroto FC 3 – 2 in a penalty shootout after playing 1 -1 draw in regulation and extra time.
All the 16 teams that participated in the tournament shared in the ₦1.5m purse. Every goal at the group stage got a bonus of ₦10, 000; while each goal at the knockout stage earned ₦30, 000. At the final, each goal earned ₦220, 000.
The most valuable player, Collins Nnamani, from Mbu Ward 2, was awarded a scholarship to university level by Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji, chief executive officer of Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji Foundation, who also funded the cash payouts for all goals scored in the tournament.
It was not only football that trended at the “Isiuzo Temporary Stadium”, as they tagged the lush pitch of Ikem-Uno Community Primary School. Empowerment for different cadres of beneficiaries also featured.
On Skills Acquisition Programme, the Foundation graduated and empowered 11 youths trained on different skills acquisition of their choice. Their training, house rent and upkeep during the training were funded by the Foundation.
The 11 beneficiaries were empowered with the appropriate Kits for their trade according to skills and initial start off capital to own their own businesses.
For academic scholarship, 11 beneficiaries were initially selected for Senior School certificates and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. This was increased to 33, three from each of the 11 political wards of Isi-uzo, following the intervention of illustratious philanthropist, Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji.
Hon Mrs. Amaka Ugwueze, member representing Isiuzo in Enugu State House of Assembly and president of Hon. Chijioke Ugwueze Memorial Foundation, said that all the 33 candidates have successfully completed their school certificate and UTME examinations under the sponsorship of the Foundation and a reasonable number of them are looking good to secure admission for various degree courses in tertiary Institutions. “The Foundation remains resolute in its avowed commitment to their full sponsorship upon securing admission,” she assures.
For Women Empowerment, 11 financially challenged widows were selected from all the political wards of Isi-uzo and empowered with ₦50,000 Naira each to embark on different trades of their choice. The Foundation has continued to monitor their progress.
On Youths Empowerment, the Foundation in partnership with the office of the member representing Isi-uzo at the State Assembly Hon. Mrs. Catherine Amaka Ugwueze organized a Workshop to sensitize the youths on the Dangers of Drug Abuse in December 2021.
During the First Anniversary on 31 July, 2021, the Foundation promised to sponsor an annual football tounerment in honour of the Late Icon.
“Today, we have witnessed a fulfillment of the promise in grand style,” said Professor Ugwu Samuel Chijioke, dean, Enugu State University of Technology School of Postgraduate Studies and chairman of the Foundation.
The dignitries who graced the occasion include: Member representing Enugu-East/Isi-uzo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Cornelius Nnaji; Chairman of PDP Enugu State, Augustine Nnamani; Chairman of Isi-uzo Local Government, Obiora Obeagu; Chairman of PDP Isi-Uzo, Uche Ugwueze; Chairman BOT of the Foundation, Prof. Samuel Chijioke Ugwu; Prof. Constance Ebere Idoko, lecturer ESUT and member BOT of the Foundation; Enugu State House of Assembly Members; and Alhaji Sani Friday Nnnaji.
A Cross section of the guests.
Others were: Amb. Kingsley Ebenyi; former member of the House of Representatives; former chairman Isi-uzo local government, Hon. Osita Ogene; Deputy Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Ugwu; the Chief Whip of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jane Ebeh; the MD Enugu State Water Corporation, Engr Martin Okwor; former Chairman of Igbo-Etiti local government, Hon. Ignatius Ishienyi; former chairman Enugu State Civil Service Commission, Barr. Albert Nnamani; Senior lecturer in ESUT, Prof. Ifeanyi Odoziobodo; a Professor of Geology, GZ; Dr. Jideofor Ebeh, lecturer, F.C.E Eha-amufu; Secretary of Isi-uzo Local Government, Azubuike Odoh; Leader legislative council Isi-uzo local government Area, Hon. Irenus Nnaji; Daddy G.O.; and Nollywood Actor, Nelson Wealth.
Assessing the event, Hon Irenus Nnaji praised Hon Mrs Ugwueze, “The second annual memorial in honour of our departed icon, Aguiyi, was coloured with philanthropic programmes and packages for the good people of Isi-Uzo. Where do I start thanking you from? Is it the Aguiyi Unity Cup that has unified the youths of our various communities, curbed crime and set an avenue for raw talent discovery? Or Chijioke Ugwueze Memorial Foundation through which many widows and youths have been empowered, scholarship granted to indigent students including the 11 people, one for each Ward, trained in various skills who were equipped yesterday with working facilities? The list goes on. You are indeed a virtuous woman. Isi-Uzo is blessed to have you.”
Professor Sam Ugwu, president general of Federated Ikem Improvement Union, commended Mrs Ugwueze for maintaining the legacies of her late husband. “It is true that Aguiyi is no more but he lives on through you the amiable wife…We appreciate you for the help you have been giving to the helpless in the entire political wards of Isiuzo and Ikem Asokwa in particular. You are the anointed sent to bless the people of Isiuzo.”
On his part, Alhaji Nnaji pledged that his Foundation “will always stand by your side and ever ready to partner with Hon Chijioke Ugwueze Memorial Foundation in all her projects. I thank God for for the strength, grace and wisdom he gave you to sustain the legacy of your late husband. The vacuum he left was large but you stepped in and filled it up.”
