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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Nimibofa Ayawei and and other eminent Nigerians are expected to converge on Yenagoa to celebrate the President of the Independent Grassroots Sports Development Association, IGSDA, Chief Miebi Ogunu as he celebrates 50 years of impact as Sports Administrator in Nigeria.
Chairman of the planning committee, Hon. Uroh Omiekumo Kiani, who disclosed the attendance of Jonathan, Diri, and others at a press briefing in Yenagoa ahead of the activities lined for the event, stated that other activities include an awareness walk from the Ekeki Park to the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, a novelty match, a table tennis at the Fortress at Oxbow-lake road, track and field event.
Hon. Omiekumo Kiani further disclosed that an anniversary lecture will be held on Friday at D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet, while the dinner will take place at same venue the same venue.
He described Ogunu’s contribution to the development of sports as invaluable, stressing that as a banker, he used his personal resources in initiating meaningful grassroots sports programmes.
Kaina pointed out that Ogunu did not look at monetary gains, but rather invested his resources into the future of young athletes in the country.
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Chief Miebi Ogunu, in his remarks, stated that he has identified over one hundred athletes in his fifty years of impactful grassroots development in the country.
He noted that he was happy to celebrate his fifty years of impactful grassroots sports development in the country, starting from old Rivers State to date.
According to him, he was one of the few persons across the nation back then in the Youth and Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, who went into multi-sports development programmes in the country.
He stated that he played a significant role in discovering table tennis stars, John Otukpa, pointing out that he and the retired athletics coach, Morris Terimo, have discovered talents that have represented Bayelsa and the country in different competitions.
While appreciating the SWAN for the partnership over the years, a visibly elated Ogunu outlined the talents he has nurtured, which include Ikechukwu Ezenwa, former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Akpan Bassey, Diseye Nwankwe, Dimie Ineididie, and Wisdom Magbisa, who is currently plying his trade with Bayelsa United.
Chief Ogunu, who is currently a board member in Bayelsa United, expressed gratitude to God that all the players he has nurtured to stardom have become breadwinners in their respective families, adding that sports journalists should imbibe the habit of record-keeping.
