IMMORTALIZED HENRIETTA UKAIGWE, FALODE TELLS FG
By EVEREST EZIHE, Owerri
Mrs. Aisha Falode, the chairperson of Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), has added her voice on the clamour by eminent Nigerians for the immortalization of Lady Henrietta Ukaigwe by Imo State and Federal Governments in appreciation of her contributions in the formation, advancement and growth of female football in Nigeria.
Falode who made the passionate appeal recently in her key note address presented on her behalf by Mr. Joe Amene, a Director Nigeria Women Football League at one year memory lecture of the sporting and Journalism icon organized by Waka waka Sports at FA mini conference hall,Dan Anyiam Stadium Complex, Owerri.
According to her”how time flies, it still looks like yesterday that the all-rounder, consummate women football advocate, promoter and renowned broadcast Journalist- Henrietta Ogoma Ukaigwe answered the supreme call meant for all mortals on the hurtful and darkest day of Tuesday, July 14th 2020.
Who could have fathomed or guessed that a whole 365 days have just gone bye she left mother earth to join her creator in heaven . It still look quite fresh as one can recall with exactitude the events leading to her last breathe, a last breathe that left still leave after a whole year, the entire football communities rudely breathless, devastated, shocked and speechless” she noted.
Falode pointed out that debate has been unending whether the ever smiling gap- toothed number one women football lover and Pathfinder has truly departed this sinful world as everything she represented while alive still stare us right on our faces, perhaps to serve as a constant reminder that her labour of love should never be allowed to be in vain.
In his speech, Mr. Amanze Uchegbulem, the Chairman Imo State Football Association (FA), described the well attended occasion as a solemn moment that demands for inner reflections on the live and times of the deceased for whom we are marking her one year of joining her creator and ancestors.
According to Uchegbulem” Lady Henrietta Ukaigwe was a legend in Nigerian sports family. It’s a historical respect to acknowledge the contributions of the deceased in the nation’s sporting advancement especially female football and growth of sporting Journalism. We dearly missed her but God loves her most. Her legacies must be sustained” he assured.
Responding, Mr Kennedy Onwunali, the Managing Director of Waka waka Sports, the annual organizer’s of the programme expressed gratitude for the quality of people that graced the occasion while describing the deceased as a consummate Pathfinder and philanthropist par excellence.
Onwunali who was sober throughout the occasion reiterated the commitment of his organization in making the programme an annual event.
Similarly, Mrs. Herietta Agbaere, the immediate past Imo state Director of Sports and Mr. Everest Ezihe, Chairman of Sports Writer’s Association of Nigeria ( SWAN), Imo State chapter euolgized the deceased and equally canvassed for her immortalization by government and corporate bodies.
Cross section of the personalities that graced Lady Herrietta 2021 Memorial lecture organized by Waka waka Sports.
