By Amaechi Agbo
Commendations have continued to pour in to Nigeria female Taekwondo Olympic debutant, Elizabeth Anyanacho as the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO Prof. Nnenna Oti describes Ms Anayanacho as a “good example to the students of the University on hard work.”
Prof Oti who made the commendation when Elizabeth Anyanacho and her mentor/coach, Chika Chukwumerije paid her a courtesy call on Wednesday expressed joy that her students could go beyond their academic career to pursue their sporting talents
Represented by the deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emeka Emmanuel Oguike, the VC said Elizabeth’s exploits in sports especially her participation in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo Japan, four years ahead of her projected debut, would act as a catalyst in inspiring other women in the community to aim high and work hard.
“We commend Elizabeth for her performance at the Tokyo Olympics, despite being four years early in her training plan. She is a good example to our students to work hard on all fronts. The University will continue to create an enabling environment to ensure students can develop on various fronts.”
“We are proud that a FUTO Alumna trained a FUTO student to become an Olympian. We are the only university to boast of having two Taekwondo Olympians and one Olympic Medalist. It is a history we are proud of and hope we can build on in the future.”
Prof. Oguike further expeessed high hopes that females in the community could be inspired with the ventures and achievements of Elizabeth.
“It is befitting to also note that the first female Vice Chancellor of FUTO is welcoming the first female Taekwondo Olympian of FUTO. This will serve as a source of inspiration to female students of the institution and the entire community.
Elizabeth and Chukwumerije were accompanied by the state Commissioner of Sports, Hon. Daniel Chike Ogu, in the visit.
Elizabeth, who is a 400 level student of Statistics department of the university, represented Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the Taekwondo female -67kg category.
In doing so, Elizabeth became the first woman in 16 years to represent Nigeria at the Olympics in the Taekwondo event and the second woman ever in the nation’s history.
Chukwumerije on the other hand, who graduated with a B.Eng Mechanical from FUTO in 2005, was a bronze medalist for Nigeria in the Olympics held in Beijing, China in 2008.
Chukwumerije expressed gratitude to the University management for extending the needed support to Elizabeth 15 years after.
“I was in FUTO when I participated in my first Olympics – Athens 2004. This University fully supported me and made it possible for me at that time to also succeed outside my academics.
I am thrilled that FUTO has maintained it’s policy of supporting students developing their talents outside of academia, It’s something other universities can emulate,” he said .
Elizabeth who returned to the university a fortnight ago also added her voice in appreciation to the school authorities for their support.
“I want to thank the University for supporting my Olympic journey. It was very difficult to combine my studies and training. The university gave me exemptions and permissions at critical times that enabled me train and qualify for and participate at the Olympics.”
Commissioner of Sports in Imo State, Hon. Ogu Chike, congratulated the University and Anyanacho on the sporting feat.
“Imo state is proud of Anyanacho, and proud of FUTO’s support in producing two Taekwondo Olympians. We must find ways to harness this experience to ensure the state keeps producing top elite athletes across various sports.”
Chukwumerije presented official pins and Tokyo 2020 token to the University leadership, as a show of affection for the University’s support for Taekwondo at the university.
Also present at the courtesy visit was the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof C.E Orji; FUTO Director of Sports, Mr Dominic Obichere; and former board member of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Dr Mrs Pat Anyanwu.
FUTO is the oldest university of technology in Nigeria. It was established in 1980 with the composition and appointment of the first provisional council made by the then president, Shehu Shagari.
