DI’JA
CHARLES ADOMI
HANNA ZIGWAI YOHANA
KEVIN U. OKO
HADIZA
It was an opportunity to catch-up withEjike Christopher Ugboaja (born 28 May 1985) is a Nigerian professional basketball player who last played for BC Mark Mentors of the Nigerian Premier Basketball League (NPBL). He is also the founder of EjikeUgboaja Foundation. Professional career: Ugboaja was selected in the 2006 NBA draft by the National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers, in the second round with the 55th pick overall. He was a member of the Cavaliers during the 2006–07 season. He played in the 2nd-tier Eurocup with AzovmashMariupol and with BC Odessa. Nigerian national team: Ugboaja competed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the 2007 FIBA Africa Championship, the 2009 FIBA Africa Championship, and the 2011 FIBA Africa Championship with Nigeria. He also played at the 2012 Summer Olympics, with the senior men's Nigerian national basketball team. Ejike shared his experience of playing Basket Ball and shares his willing to replicate his Basket Ball achievement, what he has been doing with his initiative to grow grassroots Basketball/football in Kaduna state as a tool for addressing youth restiveness and also lend his voice to the support of IDP's in Kaduna state, Nigeria.
Crockcityfest:-You have joined the league of professionals making Nigeria proud around the world, what plans do you have for Basket Ball inNigeria? EjikeUgboaja:-. The plan I have for Nigeria is what I have been doing with EjikeUgboaja Foundation, changing life's taking kids out of the street and helping rebuild things that are not in good place. Crockcityfest:-. You have run EjikeUbgoaja Foundationfor a while now, what has been your greatest achievement with this Foundation? EjikeUgboaja:- My greatest achievement is seeing over 2000 Nigeria graduates through to the level of masters,to become better ambassadors of Nigeria. And many of athletes have come back to play for Nigeria national team. Crockcityfest:-With lots of potentials in Nigeria especially in the game of Basketball/soccer, how can the government partner with you to export or make Basketball/ football even better in the Country? EjikeUgboaja:- Thegovernment can partner with me to change what has been happening in Nigeria today. We want kidnapping and banditry to stop;I need the government to partner with me to engage the youths with something to do. Crockcityfest:-Unemployment has been ngered to be the cause of the raise in insecurity and negative social vices and criminality: (kidnapping, Banditry, Drug Abuse etc) happening in the Country, how do you see investment in grassroots Basketball/football as a panacea to curbing insecurity and negative vices and criminality in the Country? EjikeUgboaja:-unemployment has been a big challenge, sports in general helps in changing so much. If the government will engage in things that keep the youth busy it helps because it create more jobs and opportunities. Crockcityfest:-How do you feel been nominated for the prestigious Crockcity Humanitarian Award in the Super Category? EjikeUgboaja:-The crock city humanitarian movement has been great. Watching what you guys have been doing. Going to local villages where is hard to go. Helping and bringing changes. Is great. Crockcityfest:-What motivated you to sponsor relief materials to IDP's under the Crockcitfest IDP outreach campaign project? EjikeUgboaja:-what motivated me was the passion you guys have in helping the people that really needs help and I will continue to help support. And I really ask more Nigerians to support theCrocityfest movement. Crockcity:-The culture of support for ourselves as most of us noticed in Kaduna while growing up is practically fading out, what do you think can be done to promote humanity instead of ethnicity? EjikeUgboaja:-It will never fade out. God is always there because we all try to help the people that are stranded. Remember those kind of people are people of God. So we all will continue to continue. Crockcityfest:-The organisers of Crockcity Humanitarian Award ended the year 2021 with empowerment project where Disabled IDPs were provided with wheel chairs and relieve materials. Today, we are Setting up a live donation basket to initiate a 1000 capacity low income housing estate for the IDPs, how would you advise the general public to be a part of this noble cause? EjikeUgboaja:-I am calling on everyone to come out to support the IDP low income housing estate. So many people are homeless God will bless you as you support this project
LAPS NEW WORLD HOTEL
Address: 346 Obafemi Awolowo Way, Utako Abuja.
IDP LOW-INCOME HOUSING ESTATE PROJECT. Today we propose a new ini a ve to address the needs and importance of rebuilding our communi es through the Low-income Housing Estate Project, giving the IDPS/Refugees a chance at life again in a place They can call home. Why should a person be displaced in their own land, their own country? Why should any child grow with no place to call home? If you agree that they deserve a chance to rebuild their homes and restart their lives then we solicit for your support to ensure this project comes to life. A HOME for the internal Displaced persons. www.crockcityfest.org