BY SAB OSUJI

'Gentle Giant' Uche Okechukwu, a former Super Eagles Captain has been named into the Board of Enyimba International FC just Emeka 'Ayaya' Nwanna also made the list for the Abia Warriors Executive Board, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

This is the highpoint of Tuesday's inauguration of the Boards of the three clubs owned and sponsored by the Abia State Government at the board room of the State Ministry of Sports Development, Umuahia.

The inauguration ceremony was performed by the Abia State Commissioner for Sports, Sir Obilor Ananaba with a strong charge on the new helmsman to be 'result oriented'.

Remarkably, the appointments marked a significant shift from the old order with ex players forming the nucleus of the membership of the clubs Boards.

Enyimba, who are unarguably Nigeria's most successful and most decorated club, having won the CAF Champions League twice in 2003 and 2004, the only club to ever achieve such feat in Nigeria, is headed by Nwankwo Kanu, a former Super Eagles Captain, UEFA Champions League winner with Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands, with Eric Asomugha, also an retired player as Vice Chairman of the Enyimba Board with Uche Okechukwu as a member of the board.

Abia Warriors, who also feature in the Nigeria top flight, NPFL, has John Obuh, a former Nigeria player and ex U17 Golden Eaglets, U20 Flying Eagles Coach with brief stint at Super Eagles in the assistant coach capacity, now heads the Abia Warriors Board as Chairman.

There is also Emeka 'Ayaya' Nwanna in the Abia Warriors Board. Nwanna holds the record as the first player in Nigeria to command a million naira transfer fee and sign on fee following his move from Rangers to Enyimba back then.

During Tuesday's inauguration, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, reminded the board members that they were 'carefully selected by His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, based on your experience in football management'.

"Therefore, you're expected to abide by the terms of your appointment and work with the clubs chairmen closely through open and regular communication, bereft of conflicts and ensure effective governance to achieve sucess in line with Governor Alex Otti’s desire of building a new Abia", the Commissioner sounded.

Deputy Chief of Staff and  Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr Chinedu Ekeke, was top amongst dignitaries that graced the inauguration ceremony as well as Directors from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development including friends and well wishers of the appointees.

Members of the Enyimba FC board include Eric I. Asomugha (Vice chairman).
Frank Adiele Alaribe (secretary). Uche Okechukwu, Nwazue Ernest Chibuike, Dr .Barr. Chijioke Collins O, Ude Jerry, Herbert Okonkwo, Raymond Izuwa and Onwunali Jap Nnamdi.   
      
 Similarly, Abia Warriors Board comprises of the following: James Agbaha Ochunkwo, Francis Obinna N. (Secretary), Nwoke Chibuzor Emmanuel, Anokwuru Dennis Chinonye, Nwokocha Charles Agwu, Ukaegbu Herbert, Okezie Chimezie, Francis Chibuike Chilaka and Emeka Nwanna.

Abia Comets Board members are Onuoha Marshal Ibe, Henry Nna, Henry Steven (Secretary), Anyanwu Hope Ibezim, Onwuchekwa Chukwu, Okereke Chinedu Emmanuel and Chidi U. Obasi.