By Goodness Ekpang
The outgoing President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday conferred the nation’s basketball icon, Christopher Ejike Ugboaja with the national honour of Member of the order of the Federal Republic(MFR).
Ejike Ugboaja, a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaira was born on May 28, 1985 in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The youngest of six children, he was born to the family of late Chief Benjamin Onyemachi Ugboaja and Chief Mrs Christy Ugboaja.
Ejike’s basketball career started with the Youth Movement Christian Association in 1999, from which he was selected to represent Kaduna State at the National Sports Festival in Ibadan 2001. His performance at the Ibadan games earned him a place in one of the perennial powerhouse basketball clubs of Nigeria, the Yelwa Hawks.
Ejike became an All-Star during the 2001-2002 Premier League season. During this time, Ejike also represented Ahmadu Bello University in the Nigerian University Games (NUGA), and West African University Games, where the university basketball team came out as Tournament Champions in 2003 and 2004.Ejike is known for his rebounding ability, but it was his scoring ability that catapulted him into an opportunity with Premier League giants Union Bank Basketball Club in 2004. He averaged 25 points and 15 rebounds per game in the Nigerian Premier League with the Bankers.
In 2006, Ejike’s biggest dream came true when he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 55th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. Ejike is the only player in history to be drafted directly from Africa. Since the beginning of his basketball career, Ejike has been a standout member of the Nigerian National Team. Over the past decade, Ejike has played for his country nearly in every summer.
He represented Nigeria at the 2002 U-18 African Championships in Egypt, the 2003 U-18 World Championships in Greece, the 2005 U-21 World Championships in Argentina, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Since 2007, Ejike has been a member of Nigeria’s Senior National Team, competing at the highest international level. In 2011, Ejike and the Nigerian senior national team competed for a bid to the 2012 Olympics in London, where they participated.
Upon being drafted by the Cavaliers in 2006, Ejike’s love for his country and desire to help younger generations inspired him to start the Ejike Ugboaja Foundation.
According to Ejike Ugboaja, “This honour by my President, Muhammadu Buhari came exactly the day I was born, what an award by your number one citizen. Infact, I am happy my country has remembered me at last. It’s a thing of joy to serve your country, and you are appreciated. This award will spurge me to do more for the country.The conferredment of the award of MFR has turned out to be a memorable birthday gift to me from the president.
“This foundation is meant to provide Nigerian youths with the opportunity to achieve their academic and athletic dreams at home and abroad. “I have been very fortunate and blessed to be where I am today. My goal, starting this foundation is to offer young kids the opportunity I never had, though aspired for when I was in their age. I want to help them become a success for their families and themselves. I pray one day they will take what they’ve learned and hopefully share the wisdom of their experiences with others and in turn, inspire more kids to do the same.” said Ejike Ugboaja
In the same vein, the outgoing Minister of sports Sunday Dare was also awarded the Commander of the Order of the Niger. While Victor Osimhen who is making Nigerians proud in Seria A with Napoli also bagged the award of the Member of the order of the Federal Republic (MFR)
