₦airaland Forum

History was made in Nnewi on the 30th of November 2019, when the first ever Sports Colloquium in Nigeria, the Thanos' Sports Colloquium, took place at the Martina Plaza, Nnewi.

This year's edition tagged 'A Model For Sports Development in Nigeria' featured heavyweights in the Sports industry like Sen Dr Ifeanyi Ubah (biggest Sports investor in Nigeria and President of FC Ifeanyi Ubah) as the Chairman of the occasion, Hon Barr Solomon Dalung (the former Minister of Youth and Sports Development) as the keynote speaker, Her Excellency, Amb Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu (former Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Spain) as Special Guest Speaker and Coach Maureen Mmadu (FIFA Hall of Fame Holder, Nigeria Woman Hall of Fame Holder, Ex Nigeria international, Former Super Falcons Coach and Player). Also at the event were members of the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA), the Iyom Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu Media (IBOM), Mr Onyebuchi Nwabufo (a banker), Sir Dr John Ugochukwu (a renowned Medical Doctor), Lady Dr Ego Ugochukwu (former Director, Pharmaceutical Services of Anambra State), Coach Fanny Amun (Former Golden Eaglets Manager and Sports Consultant) as Special Guests

The Chairman of the Colloquium, Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah presented a paper on the 'Role of Government Policies in Sports Development' as his Opening Remark

Sen Dr Ifeanyi Ubah said that Government political will could change the narrative in sports if sports policies are geared towards achieving a rightful direction. He insisted that the Legislature is focused on making laws that will make sports self funding instead of total reliance on the Federal and State Governments. Ebubechukwu Uzo as he is fondly called, also stressed that fund leakages through acclaimed stake holders will further discourage investors if public officials are not held accountable

The keynote speaker at the event, Hon Barr Solomon Dalung, spoke on the title: Causes, Effects and Remedies of Corruption in Nigeria Sports.

The immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports Development said that corruption in sports has been treated with strict measure at the IOC, FIFA and CAF levels, with references to incidence against Papa Diack of Athletics from Senegal and Joseph Blatter of FIFA who were punished for corruption charges. The reverse is the case for worst cases established against the present executive board of the NFF. Though a convincing case of corruption has been alleged against the NFF hierarchy but until date, it has been evasive tactics to circumvent the law instead if making themselves available to face the realities on ground. He also said that the alleged corruption cases in sports exist through some known intentions for authorities to commit multiple budgeting with sub heads, with duplications of figures for events which funds have already been provided for by the lOC, FIFA and CAF, from the Federal Government, State Governors, Local Government Chairmen, Corporate Entities, Notable Individuals and foreign investors for same event. There is also the case of the very evasive nature of the Sports Federations to retirement of the given monies, under the guise of interference, when questions are asked yet Government sponsorship is in multiple ways from budgetary to government corporate sponsorship and political will in the course of every event. He concluded by saying that every public office holder offers himself willingly for service and must also willingly make himself available for justice to take its rightful course to probity

The former Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Spain, Her Excellency, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu also presented a paper on 'Sports and Foreign Investments in Nigeria'

Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu insisted that Government and public office holders, have the political will to convince and attract foreign investors that this great nation of Nigeria, has an enabling environment to accommodate projects like in sports in Nigeria. Such was the effort made in her capacity as the Nigeria Ambassador to Spain, in convincing Real Madrid Football Club of Spain, to sight an academy in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Highlights of the night was the cutting of the event cake and award presentation

The awards and awardees at the Thanos' Sports Colloquium are viz:

Senator Dr Ifeanyi Ubah was conferred the title of IDE EGWUREGWU

Her Excellency, Amb Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu was conferred the title UGO EJI EJE MBA EGWUREGWU

Hon Barr Solomon Dalung was conferred the title of DIKE EGWUREGWU

Coach Maureen Mmadu was conferred the title of IJELE ANAMBRA

Sir Dr John Ugochukwu was conferred the title EZIAFAKAEGO


Thanos' Sports Colloquium is a yearly Sports event which holds to discuss, analyse and handle every issue bedevilling the state of Sports in Nigeria, as well as celebrating those who have contributed positively towards the development of Sports

Thanos' Sports Colloquium is founded by an Nnewi born and based Sports and Media Consultant, Ugochukwu 'Thanos' Ifeanyi who is the first African to make a live appearance on Fanzone in London (an English Premier League Sports magazine owned by IMG studios with is broadcast globally), a legendary Sports Presenter/Analyst, a media aide to H.E. Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu and the former Senior Special Assistant on Sports to Sen Dr Ifeanyi Ubah

Ugochukwu 'Thanos' Ifeanyi advises all Nigerians to implement the suggestions proffered at the Colloquium in order to improve and develop Sports in Nigeria. He also expressed his gratitude at the resource persons and promised that the next installment of the Colloquium will be bigger and better.

This year's event was sponsored by Capital Oil and Gas, Authority FM, IBOM, Pixer Visuals, TaiHoz Media and Innoson Manufacturing Nigeria Limited

Well deserved

His Excellency,
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Gen Muhammadu Buhari (GCON, GCFR)

My President,

Gratitude on Delegation Appointment

As a patriotic Nigerian, it is always a thing of pride and honor, to be called upon to serve or represent our great nation in any capacity whatsoever

This is why I am greatly honored to be found worthy to be appointed an Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and His Excellency, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (GCON, GCFR) at the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) holding in Egypt

I wish to assure Mr President and all Nigerians that I alongside my chosen compatriots will excellently represent Nigeria and be worthy Ambassadors as well as supporting and cheering the Super Eagles to making us proud at the tournament

I also wish to assure The President that the faith he placed in me will be justified and more

Thank you Mr President for this great opportunity

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

#SoarSuperEagles


Barr Solomon Dalung

Minister for Youth and Sports Development (2015-2019),
Federal Republic of Nigeria

Good one Barr Dalung

I hope Mr President returns you as the Minister

His Excellency,
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Gen Muhammadu Buhari (GCON, GCFR)

My President,

Gratitude on Delegation Appointment

As a patriotic Nigerian, it is always a thing of pride and honor, to be called upon to serve or represent our great nation in any capacity whatsoever

This is why I am greatly honored to be found worthy to be appointed an Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and His Excellency, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (GCON, GCFR) at the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) holding in Egypt

I wish to assure Mr President and all Nigerians that I alongside my chosen compatriots will excellently represent Nigeria and be worthy Ambassadors as well as supporting and cheering the Super Eagles to making us proud at the tournament

I also wish to assure The President that the faith he placed in me will be justified and more

Thank you Mr President for this great opportunity

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

#SoarSuperEagles


Barr Solomon Dalung

Minister for Youth and Sports Development (2015-2019),
Federal Republic of Nigeria

Happy Birthday Dr Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, CEO, NestOil Group Nigeria (Osuofia Ndi Igbo)

On this day, your Nwadiana celebrates you specially as it is your birthday

I wish to thank you for all the marvelous yet silent works you have done and keep doing for Okija, Ihiala and Nigeria in general

I thank you for your Foundation which celebrates and upkeeps Igbo culture through the annual Face of Okija which has put Anambra on the world map in terms of tourism and culture. For that, You deserve to be a UN Ambassador on Culture and Heritage

I thank you for your Children's Hospital which is also run by your Foundation. It has gone a long way in augmenting Governement policies as regards provision of quality health services for Children, women and girls

I thank you for all the hundreds of kilometers of roads you have constructed and still construct in and around Okija single-handedly without making noise about it. We are grateful.

I wish to thank you for the scores of Okijans, nwadianas and Anambrarians you have employed direct, indirectly, on consultancy and partnership basis. I bu Odogwu!

I thank you for your continual support for my own Uncle and Igwe of Okija, Igwe Okaije, High Royal Majesty, Igwe Emeka Okezie. You are a true Okijan to the core, that much is not even in doubt

I speak for every Okija Nwadiana when I say "Osuofia, jide ka I ji"

Okija Enyi!.. A na-egbu achala, o na-eto

Happy Birthday Nnamochie, I wish you the very best that life has to offer and more life so you can continue doing your marvelous works

As it is your BD, my only wish is to have lunch with you soon

Yours Truly,
©Ugochukwu 'Lord Verbinski' Ifeanyi
Son of Princess Dr (Lady) Nwakaego Ugochukwu (nee Okezie) of Umuezedam, Ubahu, Okija
Nnewichi Nnewi
08122473841
Johnniexzibit@gmail.com

Happy Birthday Dr Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, CEO, NestOil Group Nigeria (Osuofia Ndi Igbo)

On this day, your Nwadiana celebrates you specially as it is your birthday

I wish to thank you for all the marvelous yet silent works you have done and keep doing for Okija, Ihiala and Nigeria in general

I thank you for your Foundation which celebrates and upkeeps Igbo culture through the annual Face of Okija which has put Anambra on the world map in terms of tourism and culture. For that, You deserve to be a UN Ambassador on Culture and Heritage

I thank you for your Children's Hospital which is also run by your Foundation. It has gone a long way in augmenting Governement policies as regards provision of quality health services for Children, women and girls

I thank you for all the hundreds of kilometers of roads you have constructed and still construct in and around Okija single-handedly without making noise about it. We are grateful.

I wish to thank you for the scores of Okijans, nwadianas and Anambrarians you have employed direct, indirectly, on consultancy and partnership basis. I bu Odogwu!

I thank you for your continual support for my own Uncle and Igwe of Okija, Igwe Okaije, High Royal Majesty, Igwe Emeka Okezie. You are a true Okijan to the core, that much is not even in doubt

I speak for every Okija Nwadiana when I say "Osuofia, jide ka I ji"

Okija Enyi!.. A na-egbu achala, o na-eto

Happy Birthday Nnamochie, I wish you the very best that life has to offer and more life so you can continue doing your marvelous works

As it is your BD, my only wish is to have lunch with you soon

Yours Truly,
©Ugochukwu 'Lord Verbinski' Ifeanyi
Son of Princess Dr (Lady) Nwakaego Ugochukwu (nee Okezie) of Umuezedam, Ubahu, Okija.
Nnewichi Nnewi
08122473841
Johnniexzibit@gmail.com

For those towing the line of the lie-riddled Sahara Reporters, be kindly advised that Capital Oil and Gas has never owed any employee a kobo.

If it were so, why won't they have revolted or made public such a situation?

Please don't believe all you hear. People these days just want to get noticed.

Whatelse is left to be said?

An Igbo adage says 'he who has a child's toy and raises it above his head, must return it once his hands start to ache'.

It's no secret that Dr Ifeanyi Ubah's only crime in Nigeria is being a true patriotic indigenes which is a very strange concept to a great many people in this country.

Be it 1 kobo, every man who works must get his pay day and like a true Nnewian, he didn't go about it in a noisy or applied brute means to get what is rightfully his.

I celebrate with the great man who has been a source of pride, joy snd inspiration to Nigeria.

Congratulations on getting your due wages Dr Ifeanyi Ubah. It's been a long time coming.

Fellow Nigerians,

It has come to my notice that some unscrupulous elements have solely dedicated themselves to fostering discord, animosity and tribal hatred in our beautiful country.

How else can you explain the brazen attack on a Nigerian committed to ensuring sound and quality education and exposure to the sweet people of Daura?

Surely those against the move are exactly what is wrong with Nigeria. They don't want the good people of Kastina to be enlightened. They don't want the good people of Daura to as empowered as they are. They wish for our fellow brethren to still remain in ignorance so they can easily manipulate them to the detriment of Nigeria.

Sir Emeka Offor is 100% Igbo and its in our culture to improve anywhere we choose or find ourselves in even at the risk of being marginalized, not appreciated and attacked for our good intentions.

The same doggedness that led Late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe to dream of and push for ONE NIGERIA is the same drive that spurs Sir E on. For those who don't know, let me educate you on the Igbo culture. The Englishman says charity begins at home (when it suits him because he didn't start off slavery with his own countrymen) but the Igbos believe that hospitality, care and protection of foreigners far outweigh selfish interests. That is why you will eat salad in the home of an Igbo man when you visit whereby his own children may never have eaten it in their lives. An Igbo man will switch on his generator for you with his last litre of fuel just to make you comfy but he has not used that gen in over 6 months and won't use it after you leave.

Such is the dedication and selfless attribute of an Igbo man, that he looks to create enlightenment, equity, peace and progress which is why he can be found in all parts of the world and everywhere you go, testimonies keep ringing out for their dexterity, ambitions, peace loving nature and progressive state of mind.

I do understand that most of you are so selfish that you cannot even fathom how someone can be so generous even in the face of the ridicule he has been suffering but that tells you all you need to know about the Igbo Spirit: We Are Our Brother's Keeper.

Long live Sir Emeka Offor
Long live Ndi Igbo