My government will make you happy Uzodimma assures Imo Sports men
Photo: Chief Emeka Okoronkwo, the Imo State Commissioner for Sports presenting his address to His Excellency, Prof Placid Njoku, the State Deputy Governor and flanked on the left by Mr. Promise Nwachukwu, GM Heartland FC and Mr. Fedinand Emeana, the State Director of Sports.
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Last Tuesday, Imo State Government House,Owerri was like a venue for sports fiesta, as Imo sports men and women wearing distinctive sporting attires with their supporters club members led by the State Honourable Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development and other sports administrators in the state stormed and charged the everly serene environment.
The occasion was a courtesy call cum presentation of distinguished trophies, laurels and awards recently won by Imo sports men and women both nationally and internationally to Governor Hope Uzodimma, in appreciation of his administration’s efforts, towards the growth, advancement, development and transformation of sports in the Eastern Heartland State.
The sports ambassadors were ably and apologetically received by His Excellency, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Deputy Governor of the state at the Government House Multi Purpose Hall, attributing Governor Hope Uzodimma’ s last minute absence to exigencies of duty.
Uzodimma while admonishing the sports men never to admit second fiddle in all their endeavors but to be the overall best, expressed happiness for the feats they have so far achieved assuring that his Shared Prosperity and 3R mantra administration is equally committed in ensuring that they are happy.
He described his administration as sports loving and youth friendly, commended Okoronkwo for his patriotism and the excellent results he has achieved less than 5 months he came on board as the State Commissioner and enjoined him not to relent despite the challenges.
The Governor also advised the sports men on the need for them to remain focused in conquering the world, reassuring them of his government support at all times and solicited for a minute silence in honour of later boxer Chukwuemeka Igboanugo, who died in active service while representing the State in a national sports festival christened Asaba 2022.
Earlier, in his address, Hon. Okoronkwo thumbed up the Governor for his administration’s special interest in sports development and transformation, especially the zeal to ensure that Heartland FC,returns back to premiership in the next football season.
The Commissioner who described the Governor as number one fan of the State darlyn football team reeled out the positive results the team have maintained both in home and away matches and thanked the Governor for quick responses to their needs.
He expressed satisfaction on the administration’s friendly policies and programmes especially on youths and canvassed the need to honour, motivate and appreciate the state sports men and women, most especially those of them that made the state proud during the national sports festivals hosted in Benin and Asaba as well as in regional, national and international sporting events.
Okoronkwo further informed the Governor of pragmatic steps so far taken to reorganize Heartland FC, Owerri as directed by rightsizing its personnel strength, bringing on board skillful players, motivation of the team through prompt payment of salaries and match bonuses as well as payment of all their arrears of salaries, fixing of their vehicles to support effective mobility for the team etc.
He reassured the Governor that their mantra, on Operation Return Heartland To Premiership for 2023/2024 football season is real and achievable even as he gave kudos to Heartland Queen FC for their outstanding performances.
Highlights of the occasion was the decoration of the Governor with Jersey No 10 christened Onwa Oyoko, by the Commissioner and Heartland FC Management led by, Mr. Promise Nwachukwu, the Club’s General Manager.
Among the top government functionaries that graced the occasion were Rt. Hon. Chynna Iwuanyanwu, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri, the Chief Whip, Imo State House of Assembly and Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, the Chief of Staff to Imo State Government.
