On September 6, 2019, the second term of the governor of Abia
State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, clocked 100 days. Here are giant strides his
Excellency has made in the area of sports development.
Less than a week after he was sworn in, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu
sponsored Enyimba International to the Nigeria Professional Football League
Super Six in Lagos. Having provided the People’s Elephant with all they needed,
the Aba side did not disappoint the sports-loving governor.
Their first match was against oriental brothers Rangers
International of Enugu. The People’s Elephant pipped them 1-0..
Their secon match against kano Pillars did not go the way of
the two-time CAF Champions League winners as they lost by two goals to nothing.
Enyimba international learnt from that defeat, made amends
and won their remaining three matches. They dimmed Lobi Stars of Makurdi 3-1,
the same score line with which they brushed FC Ifeanyi Ubah aside.
Their last match was against Akwa United and a must win as
Kano pillars were only a point short of Enyimba’s 12 points.
Ruben Bala gave the People’s Elephant the lead on the 43rd
minute. After the break, Stanley Dimgba and Abdulrahman Bashir scored to put
the game beyond Akwa United and handed Enyimba their eighth League title just
few days into Dr. Ikpeazu’s administration.
Dr. Ikpeazu did not rest on his oars despite this accomplishment.
Rather, he gave the Peoples Elephant more support, which enabled them to
qualify for the first round of the CAF Champions League after they saw off
Rahimo of Burkina Faso 5-1 on aggregate.
Besides Enyimba International, Dr. Ikpeazu released funds for
Abia Warriors and Abia Comets as they prepare for the commencement of this
season’s NPFL and NNL respectively.
As a gender sensitive governor, Dr Ikpeazu did not neglect
Abia Angels as they participate in the Women League.
Dr. Ikpeazu sponsored Team Abia to the ongoing National Youth
Games going on in Ilorin the capital of Kwara State. the contingent is made up
of 150 persons of which 104 are athletes.
