Ambassador Engr. Chuks Richard Imah has been honoured with a prestigious national award by the Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF) in recognition of his commitment to the development and growth of wrestling in Nigeria.
The award was presented at the palace of the Eze Ndigbo Ejigbo, Eze Dr. Nicholas Emenike Njoku, in Ejigbo, Lagos, where the traditional ruler was also honoured for his contributions to community development and leadership.
Presenting the award, President of the Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation, Chief John Uche, said the recognition was designed to celebrate individuals whose contributions to society extend beyond government and public office.
He said both Eze Nicholas Njoku and Ambassador Imah had distinguished themselves through their commitment to community service, particularly by supporting people and community initiatives with their personal resources.
“Yes, we are here to honour His Royal Highness Dr. Nicholas Emenike Njoku, Eze Ndigbo of Ejigbo LCDA, and his Honourable Onowu, Ambassador Richard Imah, who have been performing wonders in terms of community efforts and community leadership. Today, we are also welcoming the Onowu into the wrestling family,” Uche said.
According to him, the two community leaders had demonstrated that meaningful social impact could be achieved through personal commitment and sacrifice.
“People like Eze Nicholas Njoku and Onowu Ambassador Richard Imah, who are not in government, treat poor people with love and respect. They also make sure that the community does not lack, using their own hard-earned money and not government funds. People are going to be encouraged, and that is why we decided to encourage them by giving them national honour,” he added.
In his response, Ambassador Imah expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation for considering him worthy of the honour, describing the recognition as both a personal achievement and an opportunity to contribute further to the sport.
“I feel happy to receive the award. It is something that unites the Nigerian people. This is something that brings us together in different ways, and that is why I am happy to receive the award because I know it has a lot of roles to play in our unity as a nation,” he said.
Imah, who was formally inducted as a national patron of the Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation, said the honour was a memorable experience and reaffirmed his willingness to support initiatives that would give young Nigerians opportunities to develop their talents.
“I am happy also because it is something of a good experience to me that today I am honoured as a national patron of Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation,” he said.
He urged the federation to intensify efforts to identify and nurture young Nigerians with wrestling potential, stressing that the sport could provide a productive outlet for youths with strength and athletic ability.
“My advice for them is just to continue building up the Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation. Build it up, get those boys outside there, those that have strength to fight for good. We want them to go inside and bring them out, so that most of them will not waste their own talent and the strength they have by building bodies and all these things for touting,” Imah said.
He further encouraged the federation to scout for talented young people across the country and provide them with the necessary training and platforms to pursue wrestling professionally.
Also speaking, Imah’s wife, Lolo Chika Imah, expressed delight over the recognition, describing the award as well-deserved.
“I feel excited. I’m happy because it is an honour that is so deserving. He is a hardworking man, a hardworking husband, and I think he merits the award. That is why he was honoured today as one of the patrons of the Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation. I am happy,” she said.
The ceremony brought together community leaders, traditional authorities and members of the wrestling fraternity to celebrate the honourees and underscore the role of individuals and organisations in promoting sports development, youth empowerment and community advancement in Nigeria.
