By: Ike Philip Abiagom

Nigeria Inter-state Ruby tournament has delivered not only thrilling Ruby action but also life-changing opportunities for young talents, as Thadeus Victor Ikechukwu from Delta State and Kilani Mujidat from Kano State have been selected as the inaugural recipients of the Freddie Henry-Ajudua Rugby Scholarship, fulfilled its promise by awarding scholarships to the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) in Under-15 team, embody the growing talent and potential of Nigerian rugby players.

This gesture by Nigerian- American International Ruby Star Dr. Freddie Henry-Ajudua is part of his ongoing efforts to support talented youth across Nigeria, offering opportunities for both educational and athletic advancement. Over the years, Freddie Henry-Ajudua has consistently upheld its mission to develop well-rounded young athletes, ensuring they receive not only ruby training but also educational support.

Nigerian- American International Ruby Star Dr. Freddie Henry-Ajudua has once again proven that he is true to his word, empowering talented children from all over Africa mostly Nigerians. His dedication to uplifting these young players through scholarships and mentorship is nothing short of commendable. The  awarded scholarships of $120,000 to each upcoming stars( Thadeus Victor Ikechukwu and Kilani Mujidat) mark the beginning of exciting new chapters for these young stars.

”In a remarkable display of Ajudua’s family philanthropic  dedication to  sports, and tribute to his father, Obi Dr. Henry Chukwuma Ajudua -1, whose birthday will be celebrated this month. The Nigerian rugby international star had already started celebrating his father’s birthday by awarding scholarships to this two exceptional young players with $240,000 scholarship to pursue their academic and rugby careers.

The scholarship recipients were chosen based on their outstanding performance in the recent inter-state games, demonstrating remarkable skill, dedication, and passion for the sport. Ikechukwu, a member of the Delta State Under-15 team, and Mujidat, who plays for the Kano State Under-15 team, embody the growing talent and potential of Nigerian rugby players.

Dr. Freddie Chukwuyem Henry-Ajudua, who funded the scholarship through the auction of one of his game jerseys, emphasized his commitment to supporting upcoming rugby players in Nigeria. “As a proud Nigerian and rugby player, he is passionate about giving back to the community and promoting the growth of rugby in Nigeria.

The Nigerian rugby star aims to make the scholarship an annual or bi-annual event, providing opportunities for more young players to develop their skills and pursue their academic goals. This initiative has been welcomed by the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, with General Manager Mr. Azeez Ladipo acknowledging the positive impact it will have on the development of rugby in Nigeria.

Dr. Freddie Chukwuyem Henry-Ajudua has made a significant impact on the sport by pledging his international allegiance to Nigeria in 2024 and representing Nigeria in several matches. He was born in Ibusa, Anioma region of Delta State,to the royal family of Obi Dr. Henry Chukwuma Ajudua-1 dynasty, Freddie said he wants to champion education and pave way for future leaders, innovators, and change-makers in society like his parents because Education is vital for progress as it illuminates the path to a brighter tomorrow; however, too many people face obstacles that hinder their pursuit of knowledge and the realisation of dreams. He will continue to inspire and support the next generation of Nigerian rugby players, cementing his legacy as a role model and philanthropist.

Ajudua said he believes everyone’s support can unlock potential in those who might otherwise be left behind while ensuring talents know no boundaries and opportunities know no limits, so this scholarship award marks a significant milestone in my efforts to promote rugby development in Nigeria, demonstrating his dedication to empowering young players and contributing to the growth of the sport in the country.

Notably, Dr. Chukwuyem Henry-Ajudua, one of Nigeria’s most promising rugby talents, had previously been courted by the United States for their world cup and Olympic teams. However, he choose to represent Nigeria, citing his pride in his Nigerian heritage and his desire to don the colors of his fatherland.

Dr. Chukwuyem Henry-Ajudua revealed that the Inter state Rugby tournament has helped to discover talents who have made the country proud in the past.
“Several champions produced by this tournament have gone ahead to break even on the national and international stages, and we are grateful to have given them the platform to hone their skills and become top-class in every sense of it.

“But today, we have the power to tear down those barriers. We have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of this two up coming Nigeria stars of tomorrow. As we stand here united in our commitment to present scholarships to Nigerians seeking to explore their horizons through education and Rugby development, each one is a lifeline of hope for deserving individuals yearning for each chance at a better future.
Dr. Freddie Henry-Ajudua will continues to lead the way in ensuring that the next generation of Nigeria Rugby stars are well-prepared for success, both academically and in sports.

By: Ike Philip Abiagom

Prof (Obi)Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, OON, the Asagba of Asaba, Asagba has vowed to restore the lost glory of the popular Cable-Point axis of Asaba

Speaking at a reception organized in his honour by the various communities resident in the area on Monday, His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof Azinge, said Cable-Point was rooted in history as once a centre of attraction and a centre of commerce where notable elites, including the late Premier of the defunct Midwest region, Chief Dennis Osadebay, lived.

The highly esteemed traditional ruler pointed out that the gathering was significant as it provided an opportunity to reconnect with history and the past, as it concerned the settlement.

He stressed that to abandon Cable-Point would amount to abandoning a very rich part of Asaba history, reiterating the resolve of the community under his reign not to abandon the area, but to rebuild it.

The Asagba highlighted the hydra-headed problem of insecurity in Cable-Point, which he noted had turned the area to a near theatre of conflict that must be properly managed, controlled and handled to avoid any escalation of violence in Asaba erupting from there.

According to the Monarch: “We are here to forestall any such eventuality, to make sure that it doesn’t happen. And the only way that it will not happen is for you people to take responsibility, to know how to confront some of these emergencies, and to take the bull by the horn early in the day.

” We are also here for another reason that is not impressive at all. We are here because Cable-Point, with the intelligence available to us, is more or less a drug infested area. Most of the drugs peddled in Asaba have their roots here in Cable-Point. And that’s why we are saying that enough is enough and that we are only going to give one week notice to all those involved before we start raiding suspected places.

” So let it not be lost on any of us that we know why we are here. We are duly informed and we are here for a purpose. We are here for a mission and that mission is to send this message to all the people residing in Cable-Point that yes Asaba is peaceful, but we don’t want any conflagration or breach of peace that will start from Cable-Point.

” So we want to thank you for this reception. But for me it is not the quality of the reception that important. What is important to me is that there is a restoration of the quality of the Cable-Point we are used to by the time we leave here. We want to encourage you to live the way you have been living, especially those of you that were born here and those who have been here for more than , 60 years.

” Some of you speak more impeccable Asaba language and in our dialect better than I do, but we all have equal responsibility at this point in time because we have considered you as major stakeholders in whatever we are doing in Asaba. Let us clean up Cable-Point. In cleaning up Cable-Point we also have to address the issue of sanitation and the cleanliness of the place. Going forth, we are handing over the responsibility to the Anya Asagba, Ogbueshi Wing Commander Peter Iweze (rtd), to ensure the cleanliness of this place going forward.

” Cable-Point must show the light to other parts of Asaba in ensuring that this place is clean. We cannot restore the glory of Cable-Point with buildings only, but also by ensuring that the place is clean. We trekked from here to the water side and we observed with dismay that the banks of the river have been turned to refuse dumpsites. Let that be the ugly past of history. Henceforth, I am directing that we put an end to that.

” I want that river side to be cleaned up and I have directed members of the Tourism Committee to ensure that we turn that place to a beach water front where we can build up to serve as a tourists’ attraction”.

Asagba Prof Azinge thanked the reception organizers, especially Ogbueshi Wing Commander Peter Iweze (rtd) and the various communities in the settlement for pledging their allegiance and committing to ensuring that peace reigned in the area.

Earlier, leaders of the Arewa, Ndoni/Ogbaru, Yoruba, Igala and Igbo communities in n Cable-Point pledged their allegiance, assuring the Asagba that they would remain peaceful, law abiding, respectful to the custom and traditions of Asaba.

The Director General of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah and the Vice Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Council, Hon Mrs Chinye Uso, were among dignitaries present at the reception.

By:  Ike Philip Abiagom & Oby Edward

When I hear some neophytes in politics talk about political party affairs in Delta State and Nigeria at large, I begin to wonder what kind of impetus that sparked their memory into loose entity of baseless facts. The APC in Delta State gained traction when some political heavyweight politicians joined the party and made it formidable, gave it a name, and made it a force to reckon with,gave it direction there by making it attractive for others to join in the flow.

I am pissed when I hear person(s) who don’t have the background knowledge in politics as Hon Emmanuel Ojemeh make statements regardless of recognizing the contributions made by those he referred to in building the party.
APC in Delta State gained relevance when politicians like the Most distinguished Senator Nwaoboshi joined the party, Saying that some politicians have refused to reciprocate the magnanimity they gained from the party shows clearly his inexperience in the affairs of the party.
It is quite obvious that the provocative needle has tickled the fickle minded Hon Emmanuel Ojemeh into this childish rant against Distinguished Senator Nwaoboshi. This has to do with the simple and conceit advise which he clearly offered to the APC intendee on the process and demands which are required by a would be defector to be fully accepted and integrated into the party mainstream and of course the subsequent note of cautionary revelation that “the want away” PDP Senator was already in cahoots with certain elements to destabilize Delta state APC.

For those who may have missed it, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi reflecting on Ned Nwoko’s manipulative shenanigans to join APC had described it thus: “His actions are unjust and arrogant particularly as he is not yet a member of the party. Such behavior disregards the democratic principles of the APC which upholds and disrespects the rights of the duly elected Delta State APC executives.

He then proceeded to advise Ned Nwoko with the very brief and unambiguous words: “If Nwoko is truly interested in joining the APC, he must follow the same process as any other prospective member. This involves building relationships within the party, respecting its leadership structure, and adhering to its constitution and democratic process. He cannot expect to join the party and immediately dictate its affairs.
The APC is a democratic institution governed by established rules and procedures. Nwoko must abide by these rules if he intends to become part of the party.

And talking about narrow-mindedness of few is more clearer that Hon Ojemeh might be suffering from memory loss. He also said that Senator Nwaoboshi that was welcomed into the party that has men with unimpeachable political antecedent had hardly settled in, he started the process of negative political maneuvering and exclusionist voyage. I strongly disagree with Ojemeh completely, and who by every indication is just a meddlesome interloper’s in APC.
The presence of the Most distinguished Senator Nwaoboshi in Delta state APC gave the party fresh breath and political momentum where the ruling party PDP in the State had remained very jittery to it’s foundation.

APC is not a personal property of anybody but a party for everyone. So singling out persons with negative intent even when actions purportedly geared towards the good of the party affirms that Hon Ojemeh remains the architect of negative political maneuvering he clearly stated.
The Most distinguished Senator Nwaoboshi has no business with Senator Ned Nwoko joining the party as both persons have nothing in common, neither can he stop him or any other person(s) from joining the great party.
The achievements of the Most distinguished Senator Nwaoboshi clearly speaks for him and I feel that Ned Nwoko joining the party only adds to the number.
Ojemeh is merely fanning the ember of negative political maneuvering he stated earlier and it’s important he gives due respect to the godfathers who made Delta State politics thick and stronger.