UK-based Foundation honours Delta born-philanthropist for establishing Sports varsity

Delta State born-philanthropist, Prince Ned Nwoko has been honoured in recognition of his commitment to sports development in Nigeria. 

Presenting the award to Mr Nwoko during a brief ceremony in Abuja, the president of UK-based Jose Foundation, Dr Martins Abhulimhen, said the award was in recognition of the frantic efforts and sacrifices being made by the recipient to restore the glory of sports in Nigeria, and Africa at large.

According to the Jose Foundation’s president, Mr Nwobo deserved the recognition through the sports focused Star University he is putting up in Idumuje Ugboko, Delta State.

“We are giving him this award because he is out to safeguard the future of sports generally and our youths in the country.

“The focus of our conferences and events is to ensure that the right people are the ones admitted into our sports community, so that we can have a competitive and focused sports system devoid of all forms of child abuse across Africa,” Mr Abhulimhen said. 

Receiving the award, Mr Nwoko who expressed delight over the award said he felt inspired by the award to do more in the area of sports and youths’ development. 

On how he came about the idea of building a sports university, he said he initially intended to build a conventional university, but he later discovered that there was a wide gap in sports development in the country.

Mr Nwoko, who disclosed that his school is modelled after sports-focused Loughborough University in England, said any young man or woman interested in sports and education combined would find a place at Star University.

According to him, the university will cover all Olympic sports when eventually commissioned. 

Mr Nwoko noted that five of the seven structures recommended by the National University Commission, NUC, for a start are already in place, adding that efforts were on to ensure close collaboration with the Delta State government.

Also speaking, a director with Jose Foundation and co-presenter of the award, Prince Solomon Osiriamhe-Etu said it gladdens the heart, “that we have a brother who has such an unprecedented interest and will to bring back the glorious days of sports in Nigeria and indeed Africa as a whole”.

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