When news filtered into the air of a sports university coming to Idumuje UGBOKO, Aniocha North, Delta State, like many others, I hadn’t the slightest idea of what was coming because it looked like one of those bogus campaign promises made by politicians who are desiring a public office. Now, a year and a half later after the general elections, this promise made by an illustrious son of Anioma, Hon Prince (Dr) Ned Nwoko is fast becoming a reality. A welcome development I must say.
What does this portend for Anioma, Nigeria, Africa and the world at large?
Undoubtedly, sports is a unifying force that unites even warring countries and enemies due to its nature, powerful force of excitement, its effects on our health & relationships and its overall benefits to humanity; the pleasure a sporting activity like football generates is way stronger than the force anger or any other emotion can have on us and sports like we know is a strong health booster we must never undermine.
STARS UNIVERSITY IDUMUJE UGBOKO
It’s not a campaign promise nor a dream any longer because it now has an existing structure which is standing visibly tall in UGBOKO for everyone to see, touch and appreciate as can be seen in the attached pictures.
STARS UNIVERSITY is now a reality we should accept for the greater good of humanity in general. It has come to stay. This project when completed has a lot of benefits that will be accruable to the UGBOKO community and the indigent people, neighboring communities and by extension, Nigeria and Africa on a larger scale.
Nigeria has a great number of youths and people with untapped talents in sports which is very obvious from the number of Nigerians who have help shaped sports in the international community and most of these stars whose talents were developed in Nigeria are world now champions I need not mention their names here because even children know these names. Today, the world is proud of these international stars. We can have more of these stars with their unique talents developed in specialized institutions like the STARS UNIVERSITY, Idumuje UGBOKO while they are still young, energetic and willing to study.
FORESEEABLE BENEFITS
Below, I shall highlight some of the known benefits of setting up STARS UNIVERSITY IDUMUJE UGBOKO
1. SPORTS DEVELOPMENT:
Like I pointed above, sports development will be top priority. The establishment of STARS UNIVERSITY IDUMUJE UGBOKO would bring about sports development in Nigeria and across Africa for the fact that it will be a lot easier to identify and develop people with raw talents in various sports as they will receive first hand training in a specialized institution which will help them to develop their potentials, acquire skills and harness these potentials with huge economic gains.
2. TO PROPEL EDUCATIONAL RELEVANCE IN SPORTS:
Before the initiative for birthing STARS UNIVERSITY was conceived, no Anioma community can brag of a specialized private institution for sports development like STARS UNIVERSITY.
Today, not many institutions of the world do well in advancing sports courses due to its complexities but with institutions like STARS UNIVERSITY UGBOKO, the gap created by this will be bridged by the establishment of STARS UNIVERSITY UGBOKO.
3. HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT:
When we had the Senior Athletics Championship Game at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, Delta State in 2019, we know how it impacted greatly on economic activities, revenue generation and tourism boost.
The presence of the STARS UNIVERSITY UGBOKO will bring about a general boost in tourism and hospitality business in Delta State but particularly in Anioma where it is located. When academic program commences there, world tourists and some of those visiting Nigeria will want to have a tour of the first sports university in Africa. This is something most desirable for Anioma and Nigeria.
Hotels will spring up and this will mean more employment and healthier competition to achieve best practices in the hospitality industry.
4. AGRICULTURAL BOOM:
IDUMUJE UGBOKO where the STARS UNIVERSITY is located is a purely agrarian community, so it follows naturally that the farmers will receive the moral boost needed to encourage their farming activities as a result of more demands from the school and those visiting. Fresh Food items and fruits will become more available and more foods cultivated to meet with the growing demand from visitors and tourists.
5. IDUMUJE UGBOKO WILL BE POSITIONED STRATEGICALLY
ON THE GLOBAL SCENE FOR CIVILIZATION:
In the international community, a lot of negativity reigns supreme for Nigeria as if nothing golden can come from us. NO. That perception has to change for good.
How would you feel if the name Idumuje Ugboko is added to the Oxford dictionary of English for its relevance in sports development? This is possible with the establishment of STARS UNIVERSITY UGBOKO. Don’t forget that the school will attract millions of people globally as time progresses and many of these people will come from different parts of the world. Hence they will carry the memories of the school with them to their various countries. This will attract a lot of goodwill and development initiatives in UGBOKO.
6. JOB SECURITY:
The challenges posed by the high level of unemployment in Nigeria can be reduced with the job opportunities STARS UNIVERSITY UGBOKO will generate especially for the indigent people. As a purely agrarian community, attracting white collar jobs for them won’t be out of place for their youth force and even the elderly who are retired with experience can be employed to benefit greatly from this project.
7. INCREASED SECURITY, PEACE AND UNITY TO BE FOSTERED AMONGST ANIOMA COMMUNITIES:
The STARS UNIVERSITY UGBOKO when in full operation will attract federal interests and more security will be achieved. Reason being that partnerships will be initiated and created whereby various states may interface with STARS UNIVERSITY to produce world rated stars. Indigent people will also interface with counterparts from sister communities to engage in sporting activities. This will foster peace amongst communities due to the unifying power of sports and security will increase due to personalities patronizing the institution. We all want to be safe. Don’t we?
Now imagine if a head of state is visiting….please fill in the gaps.
8. TALENT DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUTHS WITH RAW TALENTS:
I have explained this point above. For sure we can have more stars emerging from Nigeria, Africa and beyond because talented Nigerian youths won’t have to go far or overseas to study sports for their talents to be harnessed. From a young age, they can get mentored and made stars. This will be reassuring for youths With Promising Future especially those who are self inspired naturally. Just the extra push will make them go places. Won’t you be proud of them then?
9. STRENGTHENING OF ECONOMIC TIES TO BOOST TRADE:
Growing Nigerian companies will get more patronage from producing sporting kits as the opportunity of designing more sporting wears will arise. This will increase revenue generation for Nigeria and also project our local manufacturers positively.
10. IMPROVED DIPLOMATIC TIES TO BOOST INTER-NATIONS RELATIONS:
Gaming activities between nations calls for a more friendly and stronger diplomatic ties amongst sporting nations. This will be achievable through various exchange programs with other countries to increase sports knowledge experience, better understanding and enhance sporting engagements.
11. BOOST THE CONFIDENCE OF THE INDIGENT PEOPLE AND INCREASE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIFESTYLE:
This will be achieved by creating more opportunities for the indigent people to have an interface with people visiting from various states and nations. It will enable them to experience first hand, an interchange of encouragement and enhance their relationships with foreigners for mutual benefits.
12. INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ANIOMA:
The presence of the STARS UNIVERSITY UGBOKO will attract social amenities and a lot of infrastructures and businesses like banks, better roads, hospitals, clean water, markets and so many other social amenities to make the hosting community meet up with internationally accepted standard to achieve its intended world class rating.
Benefits abounds. STARS UNIVERSITY IDUMUJE UGBOKO is promising for Anioma, Nigeria, Africa and the world.
Karifest Duchess Onyekaah Rita Esq.
(Iyanga Anioma).
Publisher/Editor-In-Chief KARIFEST International Magazine.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Onyekaah is an advocate for positive change, entrepreneur, humanitarian, award winning
writer, social media influencer and communications strategist with a burning passion for creative writing and communication crises management in leadership, governance & brand development, political advocacy and personality reputation management.
Her humanitarian works spans over two decades of consistent works in serving humanity. For her selflessness and humanitarian services, she was given the name “Iyanga Anioma (Pride Of Anioma).
Her advocacy and passion for social change can be seen in a number of her written works, seminars and conferences she has facilitated, anchored and participated in.
Onyekaah is often referred to by her colleagues, fans, followers and many as the “queen of social media” where she wedges a great influence with her writings and advocacy works fearlessly.
Her work has earned her several awards.
Onyekaah has a voice and believes that Africa is the future of the world if, and only when Africans become more discerning as to recognize, accept, appreciate, develop and harness its naturally endowed resources in human capacity and mineral resources.
Onyekaah can be reached on email via: karifestduchess@gmail.com.
Some of her writings are available on her blog and you can follow her on social media @KarifestDuchess to get her daily updates.
Copyright, Karifest Communications, 30th July, 2020.