Nigeria Pro Wrestling Federation president issues statement regarding newly announced July NPWF event

SPEECH DELIVERED BY CHIEF JOHN O. UCHE, THE PRESIDENT, NIGERIA PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING FEDERATION (NPWF) ON THE UNVELING OF THE ASAGBA INTERNATIONAL PRO WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP/PRESTIGIOUS AWARD-PRESENTATION TO ASAGBA PROF. JOSEPH CHIKE EDOZIEN AT THE PALACE OF ASAGBA OF ASABA ON TUESDAY 29TH JUNE, 2021.

Your Royal Majesty, (Prof) Joseph Chike Edozien CFR, JP, the Asagba of Asaba.

All Council Chiefs,

Distinguished Guests

Members of the media,

Local Organizing Committee Members,

Ladies and gentlemen,

All protocol duly observed.

We are here today to celebrate a Royal Icon, a first class Monach and an elder statesman of the nation, one of the living African Academic Legends of our time, in a professional wrestling way.

The Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF) was officially inaugurated in Nigeria by then President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji, Shehu Usman Aliu Shagari on the 27th September 1981 with aims and objectives of developing sports as well as supporting the government in the area of human capacity development and nation building.

Delta State has produced so many sportsmen and women of appreciable repute and from the pro wrestling circle, the world champion, the Great Power Uti of Nigeria, Tony Destroyer, Power Lee and just three weeks ago, Happy Okolo (De Mighty Man) defeated South African trained the Great Mosendo to become the current Nigeria Heavyweight champion and title holder. Efforts of the young, vibrant and talented sports personnel’s at the last National Sports Festival were all made possible with the supports of the state sports commissioner, Chief Tony Okowa and the funding by great lover of sports, His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa.

After due assessment of an elder statesman and one of the serving monarchs in Nigeria who has performed excellently well in the area of youths and sports development, we are glad to select His Royal Majesty, Asagba (Prof.) Joseph Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba land as the Nigerian Pro Wrestling Federation National Grand Patron. The first grand patron of the NPWF is His Excellency Mohammud Buhari by virtue of His office as the Nigerian president.

The Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation will continue to be a “VOICE” for raising potential wrestlers from Nigeria as exemplified by former World title holders like the late Power Mike, Mike Bamidele, Ben Lion Heart and others who won various world titles for Nigeria.

Sports are veritable tools to reduce crime among the youths, also to promote health and wellness in the country in addition to the efforts of the Federal Government to create more job opportunities and reduce unemployment in the country. This will evacuate the restive youths out of the street to be useful to themselves, the society and the country.

Once again, thank you all for coming. Journey mercies to you all in Jesus name.

*Chief John O. Uche,*

President,

Nigerian Pro Wrestling Federation