*Gets N5m gift, chieftaincy title and a street named after him in Egbema
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Bobo Nwabali has continued to reap bountifully from his feat at the last Africa Cup of Nation in Côte d’Ivoire as he gets heroics welcome in his hometown in Rivers State.
Last Sunday, sons and daughters of Egbema Kingdom in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State trooped out in their thousands to welcome their national hero to his hometown where his journey began.
Nwabali successfully cemented his place in the annals of Nigerian football history as his invaluable contributions helped the Super Eagles to a previously unimagined second place finish at the AFCON 2023.
The Chippa United safe hands was received by the proprietor of his first football club in Nigeria, Go Round FC, Bro Felix Obuah, who would later lead him to the ONELGA council headquarters where the Chairman, Sir Vincent Job, among other dignitaries were waiting.
Sir Job announced a donation of N5million in addition to naming a street after him in the local government area.
The reception train then proceeded to the Nzeobi’s palace in Aggah-Egbema where HRM, Eze Everestus Amuda conferred the chieftaincy title ‘Ugo Egbema 1 of Egbema Land’ which means the Pride of Egbema on the Chippa United goalkeeper.
Eze Amuda eulogised Nwabali for his performance especially his penalty saving heroics which he noted engraved him in the hearts of many Nigerians both home and abroad thereby making him a Pride for his people back home.
A grand reception was thereafter held in Nwabali’s honour at the Community Primary School, Okwuzi where encomiums led by Sir Job, Chief Whip of the Rivers State House of Assembly and Member Representing ONELGA Constituency I, Hon Franklin Nwabochi as well as Member representing ONELGA Constituency II, Hon. Nkemjika Ezekwe, among others were showered on him.
An emotional Nwabali in an interview with sports journalists said: “To be honest, I really don’t know how to appreciate these people. The love they showed me today is unbelievable. I thought I’d seen it all at the AFCON but I saw a lot today. I was emotional seeing this kind of crowd coming out to give their support and respect to me.”
In his remarks, Bro Felix Obuah said: “This is the dream of every father, that his son or daughter makes it to the top. When we started, I had the dream that one day if they put in their best, they will reach the zenith of their careers.
“Today, I am happy that one among lots that I invested on has been able to make it up to the Number 1 goalkeeper of the Super Eagles. I am very proud of him and I am happy that a part and parcel of us has made Nigeria proud,” Obuah concluded with pride.
