The former
Governor of old Anambra State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), Senator Jim Nwobodo, has applauded Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu
State for his commitment and contributions to the remarkable feats recorded by
the Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, in lifting the 2015/2016
Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) trophy and 2018 AITEO Cup after 32
years and 35 years, respectively.
Senator
Nwobodo, who narrated how he became Governor of old Anambra State through his
passion and support for Enugu Rangers, expressed delight that after 32 years
the club did not win a trophy, “Gov. Ugwuanyi whose name is also Ifeanyi” came
in and opened the door of victory for the club.
Speaking at
the grand reception for the 2018 AITEO Cup Champions, the former governor
described the club’s recent feat as “the miracle of Asaba” made possible
because Gov. Ugwuanyi’s entrustment of Enugu State into the hands of God.
He said that
football is a unifying factor for all segments of the society and stressed that
Rangers’ outstanding performance under Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration has
united everybody in the state, saying: “I am here because of Rangers and Gov.
Ugwuanyi”.
Describing
Gov. Ugwuanyi as his “junior brother”, Senator Nwobodo stated that he was happy
with his style of leadership and commitment to God, maintaining that the AITEO
cup won by Flying Antelopes in Asaba was a miracle and “only God performs
Miracle not Satan”. He therefore congratulated the new Champions for doing the
state proud.
In his
address, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who dedicated the trophy to God, stated that the event
was “in thanksgiving and praise to the merciful Lord for yet another prayer
that He has answered and for all that He has been doing for us in Enugu State”.
According to
him, “for 35 years, the club had labored in vain for victory in the National
Football Challenge Cup having won its last trophy in the competition in 1983.
Again, by the special grace of God, that jinx was however broken on the 24th of
October, 2018 when, in what is now popularly referred to as the “Miracle of
Asaba”, the club came back from a 0-3 deficit to defeat the Kano Pillars
Football Club and win this year’s edition of the competition now known as the
AITEO Cup”.
The
governor, who disclosed that he was “profoundly grateful and humbled” that the
remarkable achievements were happening under his watch as Governor of Enugu
state, also expressed gratitude to the management, coaching crew and players of
the club for their sacrifices, hard work and commitment.
He equally
thanked all stakeholders and teeming supporters of Rangers across the country
and beyond, including the people of Enugu State, for their fervent and
unceasing prayers “for this day of glory as well as the overall success of our
administration”.
Gov.
Ugwuanyi further stated that his administration has resolved to restore the
legacy of Enugu State as a centre of sports excellence and breeding ground for
sporting talents in the country, noting that “as a government, we have always
believed that sports offers tremendous opportunities for economic growth,
empowerment, employment generation, poverty alleviation as well as progressive
youth and social development”.
He
therefore, reassured Rangers’ fans and the people of the state of his
administration’s unwavering support and assistance to the club as it continues
to pursue both national and international glory next season.
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