Exclusive News
BY
EMMY GUNNERMAN
Today 15 September will be incomplete without celebrating this rear bred, humble and complete gentleman PATRICK CHINENYENWA NGWAOGU (ODOGWU NDI ABIA), as he add another year to his years.
Born on Wednesday 15 September 1965 in Lagos, hail from Umuode Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia, bred in Ibadan, Oyo State, established in Abuja, FCT. A complete Nigerian you would say.
Patrick attended Methodist Primary school Bodija Ibadan, Nvosi High School Umunkpeyi Isiala Ngwa South, University of Ibadan, International Institute of Journalism Abuja, National Institute of Sports Lagos and a CAF licensed Coach.
He is a trained librarian/Information scientist , journalist, coach, match reader and football administrator.
He worked in Federal Service, as a librarian but left voluntarily to venture into journalism. He served meritorious with Nigerian Tribune and The Nation Newspapers before taking to football coaching a passion he developed right from 1988 when he established the Bodija Redoubtables FC of Ibadan. A team that became a house hold name among the youth clubs in Ibadan then. Little wondered, they won the First Oyo state U. 17 YSFON cup donated by then Governor of old Oyo state Late Major General Abdulkareem Adisa in 1991.
All through his years at the University of Ibadan, Pat ‘D’Coach as he was fondly called, was very influential, as he was the Hall Coach of the all conquering Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall Football team (Baluba Lions). A very visible member of the University of Ibadan Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ), Editor and later President of the University of Ibadan Journalists Club, Editor of the first ever Sports Newspaper in the University, “Strictly Sports”, and the first information based newspaper in the University, “UI Campus News”. He was an axillary coach to the UI team that qualified for the WAUG games in 1999.
Patrick Ngwaogu established the Gwagwalada Football Coaches Council, led the council for eight years, made football in gwagwalada a force in FCT football, became the PRO and later Secretary of FCT Football Coaches Association. He facilitated the FOSLA Academy U. 13 scholarship program which gave children which are naturally endowed the opportunity to combine their football career with education. He was a co-opted member of the FCT FA and later the First Vice Chairman. He also served in various committees of the NFF.
As the Chairman of FCT FA Organizing Committee, he established the Principals Cup in FCT where the winners’ of the first edition played up to the finals of the All Secondary school Football Competition (Shell Cup).
He had understudied various clubs and academies such Aspire Academy Qatar, West Ham Academy, Nottingham Forest FC, Arsenal FC, Alhly Academy Egypt among others.
His passion led in his facilitating the best football schools in Nigeria today, FOSLA Academy, Abuja where he is the Board Secretary and Carl Academy and Football College Umuahia. Both, the brain works of Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi (Former NFF President ) and Pastor Emeka Inyama (Former NNL Chairman).
Odogwu who is among the privileged Nigerian Coaches that were sponsored to a capacity building course in London, later engaged by Abia Warriors as the first officially employed Match Reader by an NPFL club, before he was elevated to the Club ‘s first official Sporting Director few days ago.
We celebrate this detribalized Nigerian and pray that the good Lord will continue to guide his steps as he add another year to his years today . Sir, your generation will never regret your existence. Congratulations Daddy and Happy birthday. You remain our mentor!!
(Emmy Gunnerman is a Batch ‘B’ NYSC member serving in Odi, Bayelsa State)
