By Sunday Apah – Ughelli
The centenary celebration of the Sapele Athletic Club may not have attracted the glamour and prominence it deserved but one thing stands remarkable, which is the effort the event accentuated, by promoting “Unity in diversity” in Sapele, Delta State and Nigeria at large.
Notwithstanding the conspicuous absence of the State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, expected to grace the occasion and by extension attract other government functionaries and a larger segment of the political class, his representative Mr. Gabriel Okpuno made no policy statement regarding the club expectations from the Governor on hints of his (Uduaghan) promises to uplift the club infrastructures and give it a face lift.
The event kicked off with a cocktail party among members of its sister clubs from Warri and Benin while its giant son Ikoyi club was virtually missing on the occasion of the mother club in Nigeria.
The opening ceremony had as special guest, the club patron, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, General Felix Mujakperuo who took a swipe at the Delta State Government for its neglect of Sapele town, he described as the second township in the creation of Nigeria.
While the Okpe-Urhobo monarch was full of joy on the club’s attainment of a hundred years, he did not hide the salient and nagging feelings of the Sapele populace over the declining socio-economic status of the great township of the 50-60 and until late 70s.
The monarch observed that Sapele social and economic position in the past has been swept away and the level has plummeted to an abysmal low grade in the scheme of things from its once exalted height.
Gen. Mujakperuo while blaming among other factors, the closure of the Sapele seaport and delay in the reconstruction of the Sapele township stadium by the State government, expressed disappointment over the neglect of Sapele vis-à-vis the deplorable conditions of roads in the town and its environs.
The entry point into Sapele-Amukpe Round-about deserves a facelift and drew government attention for the actualization of Sapele-Agbor express dual carriage road project.
On the partial completion of the stadium, the former ECOMOG leader disclosed that he was inspired to join the Army as a result of his sportsmanship days at college especially in field and track events from the Sapele Township stadium.
According to him, I joined the army in the 60s while watching soldiers combat training at the Sapele stadium and also attracted by the convoy of former Mid-west Governor and later Army Chief of Staff- General David Ejoor, adding that notable sportsmen and women as well as footballers of national and international repute have been produced from the stable of Sapele Township Stadium besides its recreation effect on youths in stemming exuberances and other idle undertakings.
Governor Uduaghan representative Mr. Okpuno was not forthcoming or seemed elated by the epoch event of the oldest among clubs in Nigeria, as he responded only to convey the Patron’s request to the Governor while declaring the ceremony open.
Among other guests that graced the occasion was newly sworn-in Delta Central Senator, Chief Emmanuel Aghwariavwado who came with a large entourage to felicitate with members of the club on its hundred years jubilee attainment.
A cocktail party was later held and the old school music were dished out that sent a greater number of the club members taking to the floor to rewind the good old days of club trotting by dancing to hit times of “Rock the Boat” among others.
In what was earlier termed as Interdenominational church service later turned out to be a centenary service and prayers for Sapele, Delta State and Nigeria by two prominent religious representatives of the Christian faith and the Muslims.
The combined religious service, to the surprise of members turned out to be an enlightening event of the true position of Islam as a religion and its relationship to Christianity.
Among the Christian clergies in attendance and saddled with the responsibilities of prayers and exhortations on the word of God, through his son Jesus Christ were, Catholic Reverend Father Robert Obro, Bishop Godwin Akpata and Pastor Henry Okorodudu.
In his exhortation, Rev Fr. Robert Obro enjoined members to use their positions in raising the club and also the town of Sapele as its host community, explaining that the club objective must be hinged on how to raise men and women of integrity for the development of the immediate society to build one another on the paths of glory.
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