A football tournament with a prize tagg organised in honour of late Dr. Barr. Wilson Emele has been kicked off in his home town Amaraku in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State
Dr. Emele was the husband to the current Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Imo State. Hon. Mrs Ruby Emele.
Before his death, Dr. Emele was a renowned Political icon from Isiala Mbano, Community leader and philanthropist per excellence.
The opening match played on 27th Dec.,2022 was between Orori and Umueli among the 5 villages of Amaraku Amaise which ended in 1:1 draw. The remaining villages to play include Umuorsu, Umukaram and Umuobasi before the finals.
Speaking shortly after the end of the opening match, the donor, Hon. Mrs. Ruby Emele hailed the organisers and the teams for living up to expectations.
She said the tournament was in remembrance of her late husband, late Dr. Barr. Wilson Emele, adding that it was a way to encourage the youths in talent discovery.
Mrs Emele said: “the Competition is a way of discovering hidden talents, because it is from this stage that talents are lighted on and transferred to state and national competitions.
“The likes of Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Etim Esin were all picked up from such competition as this,
“It was also a way of entertaining the people as we celebrate the Christmas which neutralizes High Blood Pressure, promotes the unity of brothers and sisters. It is all for the good of the people of the Community, the state and humanity.
Meanwhile, the previous day, the 26th Dec., She was honoured by the three traditional rulers of town, Amaraku-Amaise during their cultural day celebration.
The first donor of the competition in the year 1986, Chief Aloy Odubam, the Onowu of Amaraku while commending Hon. Mrs Ruby Emele for ensuring that the legacy of her late husband Dr. Barr. Wilson Emele lives on said the sustained tournament by different individuals had gone a long way in unifying the community.
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The All Progressives Congress, APC Candidate of Isiala Mbano State Constituency Chief Sam Osuji, former Interim Management Committee(IMC) Chairman of Isiala Mbano, Evang. Chika Okoroike, the Amaraku Ward Government Liaison Officer,Chief Kingsley Nwachukwu were among the dignitaries who accompanied the Commissioner to perform the opening ceremony.
