By Ijeoma Ohiri
The Owerri Sports Club has inducted no fewer than 30 new members into the club.
The well attended induction ceremony, held at the club house Sunday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, saw new members cut across gender and social strata of the society.
The President of the club, Comrade Uchenna Nwokeji, while addressing the inductees, noted that this was his first outing as the helmsman of the club.
He said the new inductees had undergone screening and selection processes handled by a capable membership sub–committee.
He said: “After a thorough screening, 30 new intakes, who are well respected members of the society, were selected in line with constitutional provisions, having satisfied and met the requirements of our club.
“I want to say that it an honour to be a member of this great club and in the history of this great club, no president has adopted up to 20 members the same day. But, in our own case, a lot of people applied to join and I am proud to say that out of the whole lot, we found 30 persons 30 quality, sound and well educated members that are well known in the society in Imo and across the country”.
Fr. Okafor with Comrade Nwokeji
He however advised the new members to always adhere to the club’s convention and the constitution irrespective of who they are “because in Owerri Sports Club, we have distinguished personalities, government appointees, members of the academic, top businessmen and captains of industries. I also wish them well to become good members that will add value to the club”.
Comrade Nwokeji, who doubles as the SSANU chairman FUTO and Imo State, assured the new members of enjoying rights and privileges in the club while urging them to participate actively in physical and other activities of the club to enjoy the inherent health benefits, noting that they have all necessary facilities to reduce stress and promote healthy living.
He thanked members and patrons of the club for their support and contributions towards upgrading the club facilities, assuring that more developmental projects.
One of the inducted members and a Catholic Priest serving as the assistant parish priest at St Andrew’s Parish Ibele Umuaka in Njaba LGA, Rev. Fr. Chris Okafor, said he has been a friend to the president but thank God that today he has officially been inducted .
Fr. Okafor said that Owerri Sports Club is for matured minds where people meet and socialize with people especially those who like sports and fitness for healthy living.
He also stressed that as a priest it does not stop him from socializing, adding that staying with them has become fun even as he presides whenever it calls for spiritual activities.
The Chairman induction planning committee Igwe Peter Alamanjo described the induction ceremony as a huge success and thanked all club members and others who helped to make the event resounding success.
The event featured lots of dignitaries across the country, including the member representing Mbaitoli State Constituency in Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, former member representing Owerri Municipal, Hon. Lugard Osuji, former chairman of Isu LGA, Hon. Uju Okoro, among others.
