Gov Okowa Receives Nigeria Pitch Awards, Thanks Organisers, NFF For The Honour

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State (right) receiving his award trophy from the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has appreciated the honour bestowed on him with the Football Friendly Governor of the Year award in the 2018 Nigeria Pitch Awards.

The award ceremony was held in Asaba, the capital city of Delta State last Saturday where different winners in other 19 categories were unveiled.

Though the Governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, he was presented with the award trophy and plague by the President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Mr.Amaju Pinnick later on in his office after the ceremony.

An elated Governor Okowa took to his Official Instagram to celebrate the award and posted the photos where he was being presented with the award.

The Governor said: “Thank you to the NFF president, Mr. Amaju Pinnick and Nigeria Pitch Awards organisers for the honour of being named the Football Friendly Governor of the Year (2018).”

The award did not not come as a surprised to many Nigerian football lovers who have been following the love and passion Governor Okowa has for football and its development, both in Delta State and at the national level. He has turned Asaba to the home of the senior national team, the Super Eagles where they now found comfortable to play their international engagements. The Eagles played host to the Warriors of Zimbabwe before the award ceremony on Saturday evening at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

Mr Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards had during the award ceremony, which had in attendance members of the Super Eagles, their technical adviser, Gernot Rohl and other dignitaries, expressed appreciation of the organizers to the NFF and the Delta State Government. He said the organizers remained committed to giving Nigerians transparent and credible awards.

“We will continue to do what is right because we believe our players need to be motivated by a transparent and credible reward system which will see then earn the respect of everyone in the football community,” Philips said.

Super Eagles striker and Al Nassr sensation, Ahmed Musa and Super Falcons player Francisca Ordega were top winners on the night of the award ceremony. Musa and Ordega both won the top prizes of King and Queen of the Pitch at the 6th award ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.

In the Defender of the Year category, William Troost-Ekong of Udinese starved off competition from fellow team mates Leon Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo. In the Goalkeeper’s category, Anorthosis Famagusta goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho beat last year’s winner, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Enyimba International goalie Theophilus Afelokhai to win the prize for the first time. Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi retained the Midfielder of the Year award and Odion Ighalo the Shanghai Shenhua forward was voted the Striker of the Year.

The Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigeria Football has been one of the high points of previous Awards Ceremonies. Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, the First Vice President of the NFF and Chairman Lagos FA won this award.

Aiteo Group retained the Corporate Sponsor of Football award. Enugu Rangers Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote won the Coach of the Year award while his team carted home the Club of the Year award. Nigeria’s national women team, Super Falcons were voted the Best National Team.

In the media category, Samuel Ahmadu of Goal.com emerged the maiden winner of the Football Journalist of the Year (Online). Other winners were entirely new compared to those who had been winning the past editions. The winners were Johnny Edwards of Complete Sports who was named Football Journalist of the Year (Print), Mozez Praiz of Supersport won the Football Journalist of the Year (TV) and Tony Bekederemo of Brila Sports Radio was voted winner of the Football Journalist of the Year (Radio).

Gov Ojowa (2nd right) receiving the award trophy from NFF President, Amaju Pinnick (2nd left) while Barr. Chiedu Ebie Delta State Secretary to the State Government, SSG (left) and Tony Okowa, Chairman Delta State Sports Council (right) watch on