CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Almost forgotten world boxing legend and title holder, Obisia Nwankpa, has been remembered by the Igbo people residents in Lagos after several years of abandonment and neglect in Nigeria.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Igbo people in Lagos have concluded plans to honour and confer a chieftaincy title on him in recognition of his contributions and exploits in his boxing career, which then made Igbo and indeed Nigeria proud, during the Igbo cultural festival coming up on 7th December, 2019.
This was confirmed by the Igbo traditional ruler in Mushin kingdom, Eze John Nwosu, in his palace in Mushin, Lagos.
He noted that Nwankpa contributed much in sports and brought many laurels to Nigeria but decried that he seemed to have been forgotten by all.
Nwosu advised those in authority to always identify and reward hard work in order to encourage the youths to work harder as it was the one of the mission statements of his palace popularly known as Obi Eziokwu.
On the Igbo Cultural day, Eze Nwosu, also known as Ohamadike Ndigbo, emphasized that the Igbo have rich cultural heritage and it is a yearly event, where the Igbo resident in Lagos come together to showcase their cultural heritage to the world.
He said sons and daughters of the Igbo stock and their friends usually come from different parts of the world to attend the event. He also hinted that different companies, individuals and other stakeholders are partnering with the Obi Eziokwu palace to organize the event which attracts massive crowd every year.
Nwosu explained that Igbo traditional rulers were not left out because they come all the way from the east to attend the event. Masquerades, cultural dance groups and other attractions from Igbo land are usually displayed on that day.
He said that it was during such events that few selected Nigerians, who have contributed in one way or the other are recognized and honoured, adding that at this year’s event, Obisia Nwankpa has been nominated for recognition and will be honoured with other people.
Obisia Nwankpa started his boxing career early enough and rose to become a World Champion and equally won many awards and laurels for Nigeria.
Nwankpa in his response said, “On behalf of the entire family of Obisia Nwankpa, i use this medium to express our heartfelt gratitude to Eze Dr. John C. Nwosu, the elders and entire Igbo community in Mushin LGA, Lagos State, for this marvelous conferment of the chieftaincy title. It gladdens my heart! May the same love, joy, excitement and appreciation never cease from the entire igbo community”.