By Harry Awurumibe, Editor-in-Chief, Abuja
For the Good of Football….Pix (R-L) Barr. Okey Obi, NFF Director of Legal Services; Football personality, Abuchi Ezulu John; Ms. Ebelechukwu Emenike (Celebrant); Chikelue Iloenyosi, Chairman, Anambra FA; Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau of Prompt News Online Newspapers and Chinedu Amadi, football player representative pose for photograpy at the event.
It is not always that football fraternity will gather to celebrate one of their own, but it was a different case at the weekend in Abuja when sports personalities especially football fraternity, politically exposed persons and others gathered at the highbrow Maitama District, Abuja for the birthday bash of United Kingdom-born Nigerian FIFA licensed agent and Sports lawyer, Ebelechukwu Emenike.
Also, guests came from far and wide, including Europe and North American countries of Canada and the United States of America (USA), to honour the celebrant on her special day, with the ambience at the venue so alluring to match the occasion.
Among the dignitaries who attended the event are the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barrister Sylvester Ezeokenwa who also proposed the toast for the good health of the celebrant on the night; Member, Federal House of Representative, Hon. Akin Alabi; Brig. General John Mbanefo, (FGCE Alumni); Chairman of Anambra State Football Association and former Nigeria international player, Chikelue Iloenyosi and Mr Chinedu Amadi, Nigeria-based renowned football player representative.
APGA boss who said he attended the occasion even at a short notice because of his respect for the celebrant described Barrister Emenike as an Amazon in her own right, pointing out that she has carved a niche for herself in her chosen career (law) and sports management which he said she has been successful in doing.
Alumni of FGC Enugu…..L-R: Ms. Myrian Ene aka Mimi Toronto; Mr. Akpanke Utande of CBN and Celebrant, Ms. Ebelechukwu Emenike on the Red Carpet at the event.
Said he: “I must confess that it has not been long. I came to know Ms Ebelechukwu Emenike, but I will say I am impressed by her personality and carriage. I like the work she is doing both in Nigeria and overseas, where she lives and works. So, I am not surprised that she could draw these important personalities who have gathered out here to celebrate with her on her special day. I wish her all the best life can give.”
Also, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Director of Legal Services, Barrister Okey Obi, who graced the occasion, spoke highly of the celebrant, saying that she is a very focused person who goes about her job diligently.
Other guests including her sister Ms Nkem Emenike; friends Ms. Myriam Ene, aka Mimi Toronto and Beverly Agbakoba Onyejianya Esq, spoke glowingly of the celebrant and wished her long life and all the good things of life while urging her to keep her head up and continuing to be who she is.
Responding, Emenike thanked everyone who attended physically or sent in gifts and messages, including ex- Super Eagles player,
Simy Nwankwo and Barrister Pius Ndubuokwu, who, despite not being able to attend the Abuja event because they weren’t in Nigeria, did everything to make sure the event was a huge success.
Stepping Out… Celebrant Ms. Ebelechukwu Emenike, stepping out to dance at the occasion.
She also thanked the Federal Government College (FGC) Enugu alumni, who were out in full force to support one of their own on her special day just as she expressed her joy for the presence of past and present prominent figures in the Nigerian football like the NFF Director of Legal Services (Obi); former NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, whom she described as a mentor and Barrister Amobi Ezeaku, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/General Manager of Enugu Rangers International FC.
“I can’t thank you enough, both those who are physically present and those who were part of the invited guests but who were unable to attend. Barr. Amobi was quite ill and couldn’t attend, and Barr. Amadu came back from Kaduna very late tonight. Hence, he could not be here.
“Permit me to specially say thanks to my dear sister, Ms Nkem Emenike who came all the way from the UK, and for four days being in Abuja to honour me; my brother Nworah Emenike and cousins, Chuma Umeh, Mr Enyinnia Uche and Mrs Ezinne Okafor who came from Lagos and Port Harcourt as well as my best friend from high school. Myriam Ene, aka Mimi Toronto. I am so grateful to all, “she said.
With the humorous Abuja On-Air-Personality (OAP), Chuks Da General as the Master of Ceremony and Co-MC and Nollywood actress, Anthonieta Kalunta, there was no dull moment even as the three-man live band, and Disc Jockie entertained guests till the early hours of the next day as there were plenty to eat and drink.
Ms. Emenike, a UK-based legal practitioner, an advocate for African football academies and football players, started it all in Ghana but later extended it to Nigeria as she fights for a lot of the players and clubs without a voice or with a quiet voice in football business.
“I work with academies, notably Real Sapphire FC in Lagos and Campos FC in Owerri. I have helped many clubs in Ghana and Nigeria recover their training and solidarity compensations.
I have paid for clubs to set up their FIFA Connect platforms and FIFA TMS Accounts because they are unable to afford it.
Also, I fight for a lot of the players and clubs without a voice or with a quiet voice.
Although I’m a licensed agent, my passion is more of the legal side of the game, so I pride myself in fighting for justice for grassroot clubs”, Ms. Emenike revealed to journalists at the sideline of the event.
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