NPOM AWARD: FG’s recognition is special -Anyansi

By George Aluo

Enyimba boss, Felix Anyansi Agwu is a man that is synonymous with soccer laurels and awards.

His trophy cabinet is full to the brim. He is unarguably the nation’s most successful football administrator.

Anyansi led Enyimba way back in 2003 and 2004 to win the CAF Champions league back to back.

Interestingly, Enyimba remains to date the only Nigerian club to have won the continent’s most prestigious soccer trophy.

Thanks to the success story with Enyimba, Anyansi has been winning several awards.

One of the biggest of the several awards being the Sun Sportsman of the year award which he won in 2020.

Two years down the line, Anyansi fondly called People’s Chairman by his admirers is set to be bestowed with another special award today (Thursday). This time by the federal government who is honoring him with the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award.

Anyansi who is already basking in the euphoria of the award said the recognition coming from the federal government is a special one which he would live to cherish.

Hear him…”Yes, awards have been coming my way over the years. I must say that I cherish all the awards because I have not gone out of my way to canvas or solicit for any. But this one from the federal government, I must say is special. You know that it is a thing of joy when your country celebrates and recognizes your modest country to national development. I want to thank Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari and the minister of Labor and Productivity Dr Chris Ngige and Nigerians in general for counting me worthy of recognition. On the home from, I want to say a big thank you to my wife Dr (Mrs) Uzoamaka Anyansi Agwu, my children and the entire family members for all their support over the years. Above all, I give God all the glory because he is the one that has been crowning my little efforts with success.”

Anyansi was also full of praise for the past and incumbent governors of Abia State who gave him the opportunity to serve Abia and the country.

“I doff my hat for the trio of Dr (Senator) Orji Uzor Kalu, Chief (Senator) T.A Orji and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for the opportunity they have given me to serve Abia state and the country. You know Enyimba has not only been flying the flag of Abia but that of Nigeria. Today, to the glory of God, Enyimba is the most successful club in the country. The story of Enyimba’s success can not be told without mentioning the names of the three governors who have football running in their blood. Enyimba has not only been winning laurels we have a stadium whose playing turf is one of the best in the continent.”

Anyansi was quick to add that nobody claps with one hand insisting that members of the Enyimba family have been wonderful.

“Sometimes, I begin to wonderful how I have been blessed with people who want to see the club succeed. People who see my success and the success of the club as their own success. People who are ready to go all out to contribute their quota to the success of the club one way or the other. These are people that I am surrounded with at Enyimba. From the board and management team, to the supporters club members, the players and the fans. We have always been on the same page, pursuing same vision. This is the secret of my success and I pray that God will bless all those that have been supporting the club. Several people work behind the scene that people don’t even see. I must not also forget my media friends. I must tell you that my friends in the media have been wonderful. Beyond the publicity they give to my person and Enyimba, I learnt a lot from them on how to navigate as a football administrator.”

Anyansi concluded that what the several awards he is winning has succeeded in doing is to motivate him to go all for more laurels.

“The awards that I receive motivate me to go all out for more laurels with Enyimba. So, I want to say a big thank you to all the people that have been giving me a pat on the back courtesy of awards.”