IKPO IGBINOBA/Lagos
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State
Last Saturday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital, the Nigeria Taekwondo Foundation, NTF ’75 rolled out the drums to celebrate 43 years of its existence.
For the foundation, it was a day of stock-taking, reviewing its odyssey through thick and thin over the years.
From a dispassionate viewpoint, NTF ’75, which has the singular honour of laying the solid foundation for the martial art Taekwondo to flourish in Nigeria deserves kudos.
However, instead of indulging in some bombastic self-adulation, the organisation decided to celebrate deserving Nigerians who had in their various ways contributed to the growth and development of Taekwondo in particular and sports in general.
And the NTF ’75 did not celebrate only the high and mighty in society, it also extended the honours to some everyday people who have added value to the sport.
The well attended event which took place at the CAS Campus of the Ebonyi State University, EBSU in Abakaliki also witnessed the launch of a book titled “Martial Arts Panorama” authored by Prof. Emmanuel Maximin-Agha, HOD, Dept. of Human Kinetics and Health Education, EBSU.
Founding President of NTF, Higher Grandmaster Emmanuel Ikpeme directed the programme.
HONOURS LIST
1. The Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Dave Umahi,(Pillar of Sports and Leadership rank of 4th Dan)
2. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai(Grand Patron NTF’75 and
Grandmaster 8th Dan)
3. Grandmaster Sylvester Ibeh(8th Dan)
4. Dr. Abraham Bong(5th Dan)
5. Dr. Dat Ngwu(4th Dan)
6. Madam Fehintola Odumekun(Blackbelt 1st Dan)
7. Mr. Olukole Oladeinde, Chief Supt. of Police,CSP, Chairman of Nigeria Kung Fu Wu Shu Federation.
The ceremony was compered by Grandmaster Ezenwa Inya-Agha, President of Jidokwan University Taekwondo Association of Nigeria, JUTAN.