Ogbuefi Jiduche Onyia, 92, Fulfilled To Witness Stephen Keshi Stadium’s Opening Ceremony
The Oasis Reporters
July 24, 2018
By Aloysius Okerieke, Asaba
A high sense of fulfillment came for Senior Citizen Ogbuefi Jiduche Onyia who at 92, years on Wednesday July 18, 2018 witnessed the official opening of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
Ogbuefi Onyia has worked for conglomerates like UAC, his friends’ and family have contributed to community development and humanity, but nothing gave Chief Onyia more satisfaction than being alive to watch the African Athletics Tour, which test event took place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.
“For me, now I am fulfilled, I trekked from
Okpanam to the Stadium,’’ said Chief Onyia who, despite his advanced age walks around without a walking stick, very coherent, agile and articulate.
Chief Onyia expressed his gratitude to His Excellency the Executive Governor of Delta State Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for completing Stephen Keshi
Stadium, Asaba.
“I am very pleased with Governor Okowa. He is the 16th Governor that has
ruled Delta State.
“Asaba has been the capital city of Delta State for many years but it is
only Okowa that deemed it fit to complete this stadium, God will bless
him.”
Chief Onyia who retired from the UAC April 1, 1983, is today the oldest person
in Idumojei Quarters and the acting Oki-Egbo of Idumoje. He played football as a young man and still follows the game.
A supporter of Arsenal and Chelsea, Chief Onyia’s day is not complete without reading every single word in daily newspaper Sporting Life.
“Before now, not having a stadium in Asaba was a blemish on the city. We
love sports, especially football but we don’t have a decent place to play.
“But today, God has used Okowa to take our blemish away. Today is a
glorious day, every Asaba man is very happy , sports with all it
socio-economic benefits will now come to Asaba.”
Chief Onyia welcomes delegates from different part of the world, especially the countries whose athletes will compete for medals at the CAA, Asaba 2018 African Senior Athletics Championships.
“I welcome all of them to Asaba and I wish them a happy stay in our city’’.
I’m very glad to see Asaba stadium named after my ex high school (St Finbarrs College Akoka) senior, Late Stephen Keshi.