Ex-England International John Fashanu, Chioma Ajunwa Attend Sport Varsity Groundbreaking In Delta, As Okowa Shuns Event

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was conspicuously absent on Tuesday when the groundbreaking of first Sub-Saharan Africa Sport University was held in Idumuje-Ugboko, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The governor who had been criticised in many quarters for commissioning private investments like fuel stations and plazas that have no bearing on economy of the state, may have stayed off the flagoff of the university project ostensibly because of 2019 political permutations.

BigPen Online can reports that Okowa who was expected at the event apparently shunned the occasion not to give impression that he was in support of the Senatorial ambition of the proprietor of the university, Hon Prince Ned Nwoko who is warming up to unseat incumbent senator representing Delta North, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi.

The state Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr Jude Senebe however performed the groundbreaking which left tongues wagging about the governor’s absence.

However, former England international John Fashanu as well as Nigerian former athlete, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, who graced the occasion have canvassed support for the proprietor of the institution to enable him realise the laudable dream of establishing a wholly sports university, the first of its kind in sub Saharan Africa in Delta state.

The duo who spoke at the event expressed delight that such a giant project that would grow the local economy of the people and boost the state economy was being sited in Delta state.

Fashanu lamented that talent are abound in Nigeria but people don’t often invest in Sport development, expressing delight that the institution was conceptualise by a sport lover.

Chioma Ajunwa said that Ned Nwoko have great passion for Nigerians back in the UK and have shown that as a political figure when he first represented his people in the green chambers.

“We know a lot of politicians who take their money outside Nigeria but here is a politician, Hon Prince Ned Nwoko who have decided to put his money here to benefit his people. Am so proud of you sir. Am so excited because besides employing hundreds, this sport university would give me opportunity to do what I am doing outside here in Abia state”, Chioma Ajunwa said.

Earlier, chairman of the occasion, Capt. Hosa Okunbo who was a Special Guest of Honour at the event, said that the university project was driven by the passion the proprietor have for his people and sport development in the country.

In his remarks, Hon Prince Ned Nwoko said that Nigerians youths have raw talents that need to be harnessed in area of sport hence the citing of the institution, saying the sport university would also major on other conventional courses but sport would be a core course.

“I know many stars will be produced from here. And stars mean Sport Technology, Art and Research Science and we will produce many from here. The emphasis is sport technology. So you must support me in doing this. It will open up big opportunity for our young ones. And I am happy this is being cited here because here in Delta state we always come first in sport”.

“But we must take this beyond the shores of Nigeria and that’s why we are doing this. I know we have a lot of work ahead and I also know I have supporters who are ready to support me in achieving this dream”.

He said that the idea was conceptualise by his late uncle who always encourage him in his sport potentials, adding that he would do everything possible to ensure that the institution succeed.

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