FIFA Council Member and immediate past President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick on Sunday in his ancestral home, Ode-Itsekiri through BrownHill Foundation donated a FIFA approved Football Pitch to the Community.
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The donations, which included 100 event chairs, five event tents, and other facilities were all handed over to Erejuwa Grammar School, Ode-Itsekiri as part of the school’s Football Academy project.
The event was attended by some dignitaries, including the Olu of Warri, his Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and the Mayor of Entebbe Municipal, Uganda, Mr. Fabrice Rulinda, amongst others.
Pinnick, who believes in programs that are beneficial to the overall development and growth of the youths has over the years participated in various activities that has brought positive trend to his community, Delta State, and Nigeria as a whole.
In 2020, he donated a Standard football pitch, with seating capacity, a volleyball and handball pitch, including a brand new block of classrooms to his Hussey College, Warri.
Through his foundation, the Brownhill Foundation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has been able to create a strong commitment and opportunities for the youths in the Ode-Itsekiri community.
In his speech, the former NFF President expressed delight in what the football pitch and the Erejuwa Grammar School Football Academy will do, in encouraging and growing the numbers of talented youths in the community interested in harnessing their growth in the world of football.
“The project started last year and today, we are commissioning it. He said.
“In Brownhill Foundation, we don’t build to the gallery, we build for a purpose. For us, this is part of the Foundation’s commitment to create opportunities for the youths in the community and creeks and inspire them to be great in the future, shunning violence and other vices, while focusing more on sports, especially football.
“The Government can’t shoulder the responsibility alone, one of the main reasons behind this project, is to start the Erejuwa Grammar School Football Academy, where talents can be nurtured to greatness.
This is no doubt the best football pitch in Delta State and we are so happy to have this in our ancestral home.
“We believe the youths can have a life, playing football, because football does beyond what you see on the pitch, off the pitch, football unites and brings glory.” He concluded.
Also speaking at the event, the Olu of Warri, his Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III hailed Amaju Pinnick for his philanthropy and tasked him not to relent on making the lives of the Ode-Itsekiri youths better.
“This is a powerful symbol of what is to come. The world is going to keep coming back to Itsekiri. We can never underestimate the power of education and sports, especially when the two are combined, very soon, I will be hosting my own celebrity games here, because this is such a great edifice.
He continues “I only see facilities like this taking our youths off the streets and creeks, this is a very important time in our history, and our youths are very important to what we want to how we progress, going forward ” He concluded.
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Football Stakeholders, including Coaches and players present at the event, were all full of praise for the former Delta State Sports Commission Boss for bringing the project to Ode-Itsekiri, which they say, will in return produce a lot of Football talents for the state and Nigeria a whole.
Mayor of Entebbe Municipal, Uganda, Mr Fabrics Rulinda described Mr. Pinnick as someone, who is ready to invest in Sports and education to enhance and improve the quality of lives of the youths.
Amaju Pinnick thanked the good people of Ode-Itsekiri for their support and hospitality while the project was still ongoing and also was appreciative to the Governor of Delta State Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the Olu of Warri, his Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III for the success.
