By Rose Oranye
The Nigerian Navy, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, commissioned a newly constructed multipurpose outdoor sports arena with restrooms and changing rooms in Eziowelle, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The project, executed under the Chief of Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project, was facilitated by Rear Admiral Emmanuel Anakwe, an indigene of Eziowelle, in loving memory of his late father, a former captain of the Red Devils football team and player of the Green Eagles.
Speaking to journalists after the commissioning and tour of the project, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, described the intervention as remarkable and worthy of emulation.
Mefor, who said he did not know the Nigerian Navy runs such an impactful community relations project through its senior officers, stated that Eziowelle is fortunate to have a son who attained that height.
“The Navy deserves commendation. I hope other members of the armed forces and the police are doing something similar. We must thank Rear Admiral Anakwe. He had options, but he chose to give back to the community that produced him. That is self-actualisation as found in the psychology of motivation. By this gesture, he has written his name in gold. The plaques show the edifice, indicating that the edifice was constructed in his honour and in honour of his father, a former Nigerian football international. Other generals and police commissioners from Anambra should take this as an example and use their influence to bring projects to their home state,” he said.
He further disclosed that while touring the facilities with the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Hon. Patrick Agha Mba, they agreed that the complex provides a prototype that should be replicated across the 179 communities in Anambra, adding that “beyond sports development, it will enhance youth engagement and help to curb restiveness, crime, drug abuse, and cultism by keeping our youths productively occupied.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Patrick Agha Mba, said the project aligned with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s agenda. He highlighted the facility as a powerful example of public-private-community partnership and urged Ndị Anambra to invest in the state.
Agha Mba stated: “This multipurpose arena, equipped with restrooms and changing rooms, will offer young people in Eziowelle an ideal environment for training, competition, and pursuing their dreams.” As a government, we have always said that 99 per cent of the capital is in the hands of individuals, while only one per cent is with the government. This government cannot achieve much without the people-oriented contributions and active involvement of Ndị Anambra.”
The Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Nwabufo Nwankwo, who was among those specially recognised by Rear Admiral Anakwe, stated that the project supports Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s agenda for public-private-community partnership.
“Rear Admiral Emmanuel Anakwe, an Anambra native in Abuja, has brought a valuable facility to our community; individual and collective contributions will significantly enhance its impact,” Nwankwo stated.
