The people of Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area have passionately appealed to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to officially designate their town as the Sports Capital of Anambra State.
The call was made during the Governor’s recent visit to the community, where leaders and residents rallied around a shared vision to elevate Oba’s historic Rojenny Sports Village into a national centre for sports development and tourism.
Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, founder of Rojenny and a revered voice in Nigeria’s sports development, recalled the town’s glorious past and promised a brighter future.
“Oba town shall give Nigeria the luck to win the World Cup,” he declared. “The 1993 Golden Eaglets camped at Rojenny under Coach Fanny Amun for two years. From here, they flew to Japan and conquered the world. That same team later became the backbone of the Super Eagles that qualified Nigeria for its first senior FIFA World Cup in 1994. We ranked fifth globally. That was no accident—it was the blessing of Oba and the power of Rojenny.”
Ezeonwuka emphasized that Rojenny is already approved by CAF for continental matches and has hosted African teams during the campaigns of Udoji United and Jasper United.
“Just as Dangote’s private refinery saved Nigeria’s oil sector where government refineries failed, Rojenny will save Nigerian sports,” he stressed. “If our World Cup qualifiers and other tournaments are played here, Nigeria will recover its sports glory. But we need five-star hotels, upgraded facilities, and government support. Oba is ready.”
Echoing his sentiments, Engr. Anthony Uzo Ejiofor, President General of Oba Patriotic Union, appealed directly to Governor Soludo:
“Your Excellency, we humbly request that Rojenny Tourist Games Village be made the official Anambra State Sports Centre. Oba has already played host to Nigeria’s greatest sports achievements. With your support, we can do even more.”
Ejiofor also highlighted Oba’s wider contributions:
“We are proud to host the new Pharmaceutical Hub and are ready to partner in establishing a technology hub through ACOVITEMN. Our land is available, our people are eager, and our community is aligned with your transformative agenda.”
As part of its appeal, the community called on Oba indigenes and investors, both at home and in the Diaspora, to invest in their hometown by building more five-star hotels, resorts, and super investments that would complement government efforts in positioning Oba as the epicentre of sports development and tourism in Nigeria.
The people also pressed for urgent infrastructural development, especially the rehabilitation of the Oba–Umuoji–Akwukwu road, and asked that Oba indigenes be considered for government appointments.
HRM Igwe Engr. A.C. Emelobe (Ezeokpoko II of Oba) reaffirmed the town’s loyalty to Governor Soludo, stressing Oba’s readiness to drive sports, commerce, technology, and tourism in Anambra.
From the voices of its leaders to the aspirations of its youth, Oba is not just asking for recognition—it is offering a legacy, a platform, and a promise. If Governor Soludo heeds the call, the South East may once again become the heartbeat of Nigerian sports and tourism.