The umbrella body of Edo indigenes in the sports media industry has unveiled plans to host the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Solomon Ogba, to a grand reception on July 20 in Lagos.
Ogba, was recently awarded a honorary doctorate degree by the University of Port Harcourt for his immense contribution to sports development and growth in the country and members of the Edo sports media body feel he deserves to be celebrated more than he has been, especially as they regard him as not only an astute sports administrator but one of the Niger Delta extraction.
Chairman of the body, Osaretin Emuzie and Secretary, Smarts Ebodaghe, said in a release that the event will hold in Lagos at a high brow hotel and plans have been concluded to invite major stakeholders in sports to the ceremony. “An organizing committee is already in place and in the coming days we will tell the world where the event will hold. Dr Ogba deserves all the accolades that is being poured on him and we are ready to support him in his illustrious sports endeavours”, Ebodaghe declared.
In another development, the body has congratulated Mr. Mike Itemuagbor for the successful hosting of the third edition of the 10 kilometre Okpekpe Road Race few weeks ago in Etsako East LGA of Edo State. The leadership of the body said it was excited that apart from that fact that the race has now been listed on the international calendar of athletics by the IAAF, Itemuagbor and the people of Edo state have demonstrated that they are ready to rediscover sports in the state with the hard working Comrade Governor, Adam Oshiomhole.
The body urged Itemuagbor not to relent in his support for sports nay athletics, adding that the body is solidly behind the urbane sports marketer in his drive to help Edo state and indeed Nigeria rediscover its strength in sports.
