By: Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here was excitement as the management, staff and students of St. Augustine College, Ibusa, Delta State, held their fourth biennial inter-house sports tournament recently. It was a very successful and well organized event which was chaired by the Special Assistance to the Governor of Delta State on Youths Mobilization. The event, which took place at school field also brought together parents and children from other schools who were invited to witness the programme.

This annual event kicked off with an opening prayer by Rev. Fr. Dr. Micheal Ibe, followed by the Anthems (National Anthem & School Anthem) and recitation of the National pledge accompanied by the School Band led by the Parade Commander.The school’s band opening parade ushered in the colourful and stellar march past by the six houses – white House, yellow House, green House,Blue House,Red House and Pink House.
In his welcome address, the principal of the school,Rev. Fr. Dr. Micheal Ibe, stated the importance of Sporting activities in the development of the child, saying it could not be overemphasized.
“A healthy child is a wealthy child, and if you invest in your health, you are generating wealth. It is through sports that a child develops,” he said. According to him, children have some God-given talents that can be brought to the fore through sporting activities of such nature: “Sports is a platform to promote the development of children by improving their social and leadership skills and bettering their well-being.Besides, he promised that the institution will continue to create a conducive learning environment for sports because of it’s contribution to the development of the physical and mental well-being of a child cannot be over-emphasized.

The Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Chief Austin Ndinwa, (Okemili Igbuzor) encouraged the school management, parents and students on the need to wholeheartedly trust in God, citing Phillipians 3:5-6 before formally declaring the sporting events open.
Amongst other events of the day were the 100m races, 200m races, 400m races, egg race, relay races, sack race, threading the needle, invitation relay races where the students gave in the best to ensure their house comes first. Before the announcement of the final result, medals were presented to the best female athlete and best male athlete as well as invited schools, parents, staff members who participated in different races and had emerged 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions.
At the end of it all, Red House clinched the 1st position , followed by Green House 2nd position,Yellow House came 3rd position ,Blue House took the 4th position,white House 5th position and Pink House took 6th position.

The School Director of Sports, Comrade Nwabueze Fredrick Emeka expresses profound and special appreciation to some of parents,who volunteered to support the school to ensure that the athletes and indeed every one of us there was well looked after. The school principal gives special thanks to His Lordship, Most Rev.Dr.M.O.Elue, the Bishop of Issele -Uku Diocece and Proprietor of the College, the Chairman of Catholic Education Board, Issele-Uku Diocese,Chief Inspector of Education, Oshimili North L.G.A, the Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Chief Austin Ndinwa, (Okemili Igbuzor),Pastor Idowu Okeze for their kind gestures. God bless you all.
Thanks too to all staff members for their hard work and contribution in making this year’s inter-house sports day a huge success.
We are already looking forward to our 5th Inter-house Sports Day. In the meantime, we congratulate Red House once again for emerging CHAMPIONS of the 4th edition.

By: Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ge may be a number but life is certainly a battle. And if the life is that of the urbane and personable the Mgboko of Igbuzor, High Chief Daddy Okeleke, then life is not only a battle–it is a full blown war. Ever since he adorned himself as a soldier for good, he has had no reprieve from the unrelenting forces of evil. He is caught in the vortex of the eternal battle between good and evil.Indeed, to those who know him up close and personal, Daddy Okeleke is an enigma: humble, self-effacing, industrious, practical, efficient by nature, diligent, always thinking about things he needs to accomplish or how to get ahead on his next assignment, a complete Aquarius, if you care to assess him by his Zodiac sign. But in plain terms, he is a case of a man who set out to always make a difference wherever he found himself. Not the kind of difference other men pursue to grandstand, but the type that impacts humanity and makes life easier for people. And of this, his track record is unassailable. A look back at his trajectory gives a chronicle of exemplary service to his community and a profile of pure patriotism from an individual.
Greatness is a property for which no man can receive credit too soon; it must be possessed long before it is acknowledged. ”When one of the world’s greatest thinkers, Ralph Waldo Emerson handed down the above words of wisdom, those he had in mind were certainly the likes of High Chief Daddy Okeleke, Mgboko of Igbuzor. .
For the trail-blazing traditional mogul from Umueze-Ibusa, Delta State, it is certainly impossible to gloss over his attributes for greatness. He is the embodiment of cerebral articulation, the essence of unparalleled philanthropy, the epitome of intellection and breathtaking simplicity, the personification of undiluted humanness, the perfect example of business leadership symbolism, the paragon of idealism, the soul of humanity, the heart of warrior, a perfect gentleman. In the gallery of great leaders and great men, he is without doubt, a rare masterpiece. Anyone who encounters him would love to associate with him for his candour, courage and forthrightness. As a human being, his humility and modesty is second to none. As an Businessman, he is sound and engaging.
High Chief Daddy Okeleke,he means different things to different people; to his wife and children, he is a loving husband and a kind daddy, while to us his admirers, he is known as the Digital Strategist but his detractors always erroneously see him as an obstacle because of his rising profile in tradition, Politics and acceptance by the grassroots.
Mgboko is not only the Pride of Okeleke’s but also the Pride of the People of Igbuzor for whom he had waged countless traditional and political wars for and won virtually all, just like the Greek mythological Odyssey who fought and won difficult battles in History. Indeed the birthday celebration of this digital traditionalist of our time had been useful and Resourceful for his service to humanity. Therefore today let me on behalf of Grassroots Publishers online and Newsbreeze Magazine join the rest of my beloved Ibusa kingdom in Oshimili North Local government Area of Delta to celebrate our traditional and Political iconoclastic Mgboko of Igbuzor, to thank Almighty God for adding another year to his life and to pray that God continues to bless him with robust health ,protection, and enduring provision. Your traditional reign as Mgboko Igbuzor shall bring prosperity and peace to Ibusa, Oshimili, Delta State and Nigeria in general.
Your legendary generosity and willingness to do good at all times is documented in the hearts of millions. That is why on your birthday, You deserves a toast and song, “Happy birthday to you…” Above all, You deserves a prayer from everyone who is on the side of truth in the eternal battle between truth and falsehood.

Happy birthday to the regent, Mgboko Igbuzor,a great lover of our tradition.
Nnam!!!