By Ikenna Nwokedi
Team Continuing Education Programme (CEP) on Friday, 16th February 2024 mauled a Selected 11 of Regular Undergraduate Students (Team Regular) by three unreplied goals in The Hamptons Football League Launch duel played at the UNIZIK Mini Stadium.
A 100 level CEP Computer Science Student, Promise Ugbaja gave Team CEP the lead in the 38th minute of the pulsating encounter while Chidera Augustine, a 200-level student of Computer Science Department, doubled their lead in the 78th minute with Promise Chidubem of Political Science Department (200 level) scoring in injury time to ensure his side smile home with the sum of N300,000 and a trophy on offer while Team Regular settled for N150,000.
The Hamptons Football League which is bankrolled by the MD/CEO Petros Global Enterprises Ltd, Mr. Peter Nwokoye is a test run of the proposed full blown annual football competition expected to hold later in the year for CEP students which will feature six Faculties of the University running the CEP academic programme comprising of the Faculties of Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Agriculture, Education, Arts and Management Sciences.
Declaring the event open, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone eulogized Mr. Nwokoye for the idea behind bankrolling the competition aimed at promoting the growth of football and sports in general in the institution.
Prof. Esimone who was represented by the Chairman, University Sports Committee, Ass. Prof. Dereck Orji affirmed that the competition will go a long way in enhancing the visibility of the institution’s CEP academic activities through sports which is a veritable tool for social interaction.
The scholar also informed that the institution recently hosted a successful SEUGA games and competitions of this nature will enable the University to discover and nurture sporting talents even as the university prepares to feature in the upcoming National Inter Universities Games such as NUGA and FASU later in the year.
On his part, the benefactor of the The Hamptons Football League, Mr. Peter Nwokoye commended the Vice-Chancellor for his giant strides in the institution through the ‘Project 200’ vision which can be seen in the areas of academic excellence, infrastructural development and sports promotion.
Nwokoye who was represented by Sandra Okafor, HR Officer of the Hamptons informed that the competition has come to stay and will aid in promotion of academic excellence and sports not just for the CEP but for the institution at large. He commended the players for their display and urge them to keep the positive spirit and convivial atmosphere in place.
On his part, the new Director of the CEP, Prof. Okenwa Cyprian Ogbodo thanked both teams for the scintillating display of football artistry while praising the sponsor for the noble initiative of sports promotion through the Hamptons Football League competition for the CEP academic programme. Prof. Ogbodo averred that the victory for the Team CEP is a development on a very positive note having just assumed office for a period of 10 days as the new Director of the CEP.
The scholar promised that under his reign as the Director of the CEP, there will be more positive developments to come while promising to continue in the good works of his predecessor, Prof. Ngozi Agu in elevating the status of the CEP.
Highpoints of the occasion was the ceremonial kickoff of the Football League Launch duel by the sponsor represented by the HR Officer, Madam Okafor and presentation the trophy and cheques to the two sides.
Also present during the event was the immediate past Director of the CEP, Prof. Ngozi Agu and her husband, former University Bursar, Mr. Udoka J. Agu; Engr. Dr. Ikenna Nwokedi, Vice-Chairman University Sports Committee; Sir. Anthony Udennaka, Coach of the University Football team who represented the institution’s Director of Sports and Mr. Smart Obidigwe, Operational Manager of the Hamptons Nig. Ltd.
