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His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma Governor, Imo State in a rare show of uncommon human face has immortalized the late Cruiserweight Boxer Chukwuemeka Igboanugo who died in active service for Imo State at the Delta 2022 National Sports Festival.
The Governor has renamed the Boxing Gym at Dan Anyiam Stadium Complex Owerri after him as Chukwuemeka Igboanugo Boxing Ring ( CIBR) to ensure the late boxer is remembered posthumously.
This was disclosed to sports journalists by the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Youth and Social Development Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo during the lying in state and Red Card ” ceremony in honour of Igboanugo who commenced his final journey home at the Indoor Sports Hall of Dan Anyiam Stadium Complex Owerri on Thursday 2nd February, 2023.
As tears and tributes eulogizing the departed boxer who during his life time showcased unparalleled stagecraft that made Imo State proud, even as he was a hopeful gold medalist , the Honourable Commissioner Hon Emeka Okoronkwo who represented Governor Uzodinma extolled the virtues and contributions to the development of the Boxing Sport. He profoundly thanked Governor Hope Uzodinma on behalf of the Management and Staff of the Ministry and Imo State sporting community for his extraordinary human face and milk of kindness that made it seamless for the state Government to underwrite all aspect of the funeral arrangements that includes the completion of his uncompleted house, granting of special waiver for the employment of his young widow by the Imo State Local Government Service Commission, cash gifts to his widow and aged parents and, education for his under aged five children.
All to the knowledge of Barr. Igboanugo ( late Boxer’s brother) not a few who spoke in the late boxer’s Umueze Ogwa country home in Mbaitoli Local Government Area during the funeral event proper, commended Governor Hope Uzodinma for his commitment towards sportsmen and women and, urged the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Social Development under the astute leadership of Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo to keep up this tempo of incomparable implementation of the sports friendly policies and programmes of Governor Hope Uzodinma’s 3R Shared Prosperity Administration.
