The Ikemba of Idemili and former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Bro. Felix Obuah has been conferred with the prestigious National Patron Award of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
The award on Bro. Obuah who is also the founder of Go-Round Football Club of Omoku took place after a colourful ceremony held at the Krisdera Hotels and Resort Limited, Omoku where Rivers SWAN hosted the National Triennial Delegates Congress on Thursday.
The SWAN National Patron award on renowned philanthropist and sports promoter, attracting a distinguished gathering of sports personalities, journalists, and dignitaries.
The National President of SWAN, Dr. Honour Sirawoo while bestowing the award, said such honour is usually confeered upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional support and contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria.
He said Bro. Obuah’s dedication to the promotion of sports at both the grassroots and professional levels has made him a prominent figure in the Nigerian sports landscape, adding that SWAN deemed it necessary to elevate Bro. Obuah from the State Patron of the body to the National Patron because of what he described as “his fatherly support for the association both at the State and National.
Sirawoo acknowledged that SWAN would not have achieved so much in the past years without the support of Bro. Obuah who stood as a father and pillar, to ensure its growth and development.
He also lauded his philanthropic initiatives, which have provided scholarships, training facilities, and equipment to aspiring athletes in underprivileged communities.
In his acceptance speech, Bro. Felix Obuah expressed his gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the importance of investing in sports as a means of fostering national unity, talent discovery, and overall societal development.
He highlighted the need for increased government and private sector involvement in sports, urging stakeholders to collaborate in creating an enabling environment for athletes to thrive, while also pledging more support for SWAN and urged the state and national body of the association to use their respective medium to promote sports in Nigeria.
In addition to his involvement in sports, Mr. Obuah has been actively engaged in numerous social development projects, including education, healthcare, and youth empowerment.
His holistic approach to philanthropy has earned him widespread recognition, and the SWAN National Patron Award serves as a testament to his significant contributions to the Nigerian society.
As the ceremony concluded, attendees expressed their optimism that Mr. Obuah’s recognition would inspire other individuals and organizations to play an active role in advancing sports in Nigeria.
The event served as a reminder of the immense value that sports can bring to a nation and the importance of acknowledging those who dedicate their efforts to its promotion.
With the National Patron Award bestowed upon him, Mr. Obuah’s legacy as a champion of Nigerian sports is further cemented, and his impact is expected to continue shaping the future of sports in the country.
