By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi has rewarded the victorious University Sports Teams
The reward ceremony was for staff who featured at the Nigerian University Staff Sports Association (NUSSA) Games held at the Bayero University Kano and Students who represented the institution at an invitation Chess competition held in Lagos State.
The acting Vice-Chancellor while welcoming the victorious teams commended them for their performance and conduct as ambassadors of the University during the games.
Prof. Arinze-Umobi highlighted the importance of winning a medal in any competition even if it is a bronze medal saying that it is very significant when there is an amalgamation of all Nigerian Universities in a sporting competition, UNIZIK makes the top three positions knowing that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was number one in the continent.
She charged participants in future sporting programs to try to always win gold while assuring of her continuous support to sports participation and development in the institution.
The acting VC rewarded the sporting heroics with the sum of N100,000 for Gold medal, N80,000 for a Silver medal and N500,000 for other coaches and staff participants with Team UNIZIK winning 2 Gold and 2 Silver medals at the NUSSA Games and 1 Gold, 2 Silver at the Chess Invitational tournament.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of University Sports Committee, Prof. Dereck Orji thanked the acting Vice-Chancellor for her love for sports, immense support and approvals for sporting activities as the NUSSA Games participation by the staff members was her first approval upon assumption of office on May 19th, 2025.
Prof. Orji assured that the University Sports Committee and the Directorate of Sports would continue to work towards raising the institution’s visibility through sporting excellence.
On her part, the Acting Director of Sports, Mrs Antonia Chukwudi stated that the team is elated by the immense support to sports growth and development in the institution by the acting Vice-Chancellor.
Mrs Chukwudi while reeling out the medals won by the athletes in the various events, disclosed that the Directorate is working hard towards ensuring that the institution always make her mark in any Inter University Sports Competition in the land.
The NUSSA games in Kano had Dr. Ifeoma Obioma winning Gold in the Scrabble Event, Mrs Ukamaka Nwoye won Gold in Ayo (Ncho), Mrs Love Chukwunwe Nosike won Silver in Badminton (Single Event) while the duo of Mrs Ukamaka Nwoye and Mrs Love Chukwunwe Nosike won a Silver medal in Badminton (Doubles).
In the Chess Invitational tournament for students, Mercy Omesu won a gold and silver in the individual event while the quintet of Mercy Omesu, David Nnabuike, Joshua Okwuosa, Henry Ani and Valentine Ezeribe won silver in the team event.
Highpoints of the reception was the presentation of the trophy and dummy cheque won by the Chess team to the Vice-Chancellor by Prof. Orji and Mrs Chukwudi.
Also present during the reception were the University Ag. Registrar, Mr. Victor Modebelu and the University Bursar, Mr. Gozie Egwuatu.
Others are Dr. Ikedimma Okeke, Chairman UNIZIK Chess Association; Prof. Chris Abakare, Football Team Captain; Engr. Dr. Ikenna Nwokedi, Media Officer of the contingent; Anthony Bebeto Udennaka, Football Coach; Patrick Nnatuanya, Chess Coach and Onyinye Nkpume, Scrabble Coach.
