By Ifeanyi Iheakanwa 

A notable philanthropist, Mr. Chidera Goodluck Nwaneri,who hails from Okpala Iho-Dimeze in Ikeduru LGA of Imo state has embarked on rural road grading across villages as part of activities marking the 2023 Christmas celebration.

Nwaneri, in like manner, donated over N3million Iho-Dimeze Unity Football Tournament which came to its crescendo on Wednesday at the Iwuanyanwu Stadium Iho-Dimeze in Ikeduru LGA of Imo state.

Umuagwuruihe village has lifted the trophy, carting home with lots of consolation prizes.

The village emerged winner of the annual tournament after a 1-0 win against Umuokoro who came second out of the nine villages that participated in the competition.

The donor of the tournament, Mr. Chidera Goodluck Nwaneri, who was conspicuously present during the grand finale held at Iwuanyanwu Stadium, Iho-Dimeze in Ikeduru LGA of Imo, was enthused by what he described as a 'strong display of supremacy' put up by the winners of the trophy, Umuagwuruihe.

He said the beauty of a football
competition is producing an eventual winner and that, according to him, can only be achieved when a team shows dominance over the other.

The young donor from Okpala-Iho who was flanked by his wife further expressed delight on the renewed spirit of oneness and brotherhood conspicuously seen among the people, insisting that recreational activities such as football, cultural displays etc are the factors that bond the people together.

Hear him, "I came back home for Christmas to hear that the annual Iho-Dimeze Football Tournament was not to hold this season due to some financial constraints and I said no, that is one of the things that give people joy during yuletide.

"I quickly called the Youth Leader of Iho-Dimeze, Iwuala Chibuzor, and release enough money to begin the officiating.

"I earlier embarked on rural road grading at some areas that have bad spots. I am doing all this from my own pocket because I like development.

"I am a businessman based in Nigeria. This is my first time of sponsoring the tournament and I am very happy the level of commendations my people have given me.

"You see, football has a way of reducing some social vices such as stealing, cultism, truancy, idleness and high consumption of hard drugs among the youths. As you can see for yourself, all the youths of Iho-Dimeze are here today and in joyous mood. Those that won will go home happy. Those that lost will also go home happy for participating. And offcourse we have prizes for both third and even fourth positions and other consolation prizes. So in this tournament, every team is a winner, no team loses.

"I urge the youths to eschew bad life that will put them into trouble and focus in their chosen career. Every youth, once alive, has potential to greatness. But it has to come with hardwork. God rewards people who have put in their best.

"I want to thank in a special way the Traditional Prime Minister of Iho-Dimeze Community, Hon. Sam Aka, for his fatherly advices throughout the exercise. He forfeited all his tight schedules to ensure that this year's tournament recorded success. May God bless him abundantly.

"To the leaders of the Community including the Imo state Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Hon. Evangelist Samuel Ude, who is here present, my friends and well wishes, i thank you so much for honoring me."

He promised further that God willing, next edition of the tournament will be injected bigger fund to make it more colourful.

On the award presented to him by the community, he described it as a moral booster that has spurred him to more action. He thanked the people for finding him worthy of such award, promising to do more humanitarian services for them.

Other personalities spotted by our reporter were the Traditional Prime Minister, Hon. Sam Aka, the President General of Iho-Dimeze Community, Hon. Bethel Iwuajoku, Hon. Obinna Emetu and a host of others.

Highpoints of the event were the issuance of the trophy to the winners of the tournament by the donor and other consolation prizes such as the Best Player of the tournament won by Odimara Nwodu from Umuagwuruihe, the Best Keeper, Ifeanyi Ahanonu from Umuezeala village (which came third position) and the Highest Goal Scorer who doubles as the Best Player.