Professor Justice Peter Umeadi receives a National Award for His Commitment to the National Development

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Buchi Noel Loris of De Erudite Media

The frontline Presidential Aspirant, under the platform of APGA in the 2023 presidential election, Professor Peter Umeadi, has received an award of appreciation from the Nigerian Cricket Federation, for his unequalled support for the game. The NCF also gave him a National cricket jersey of the Nigerian Cricket Federation appreciating him for his support to the association.

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In a letter signed by the general manager of the federation, Emeka Igwilo, Professor Umeadi was described as a long time passionate supporter of the game whom has, through his Supports demonstrated unparalleled likeness for the game.

It reads:

“Brief record on the man of vision, Professor Peter N.C Umeadi, sponsor of Champion of Champions trophy now known as Obiora Odinye Cricket Championship for Secondary Schools in Anambra State
Cricket is a noble game. When the British came to Nigeria, they introduced the game in most of the premier schools as a way of using it as a tool for modeling the character of men.

Before the Nigeria Independence in 1960, Cricket was only played by premier schools like the Kings College, Lagos, Government College Owerri and many others.

In the old Ananmbra State up until the late 90s, Cricket was only mentioned in a few schools. With the emergence of people like Professor Peter N.C Umeadi after the creation of the new Anambra State the story of Cricket changed for good, hence why we called him the man of vision.

In the year 2000, Professor Peter N.C. Umeadi came to the scene. He began by sponsoring Christ the King College, Onitsha and Nri Boys Secondary School, Nri, where the game started from the scratch. He later took the co-sponsorship of the Bishop Crowther Seminary School, Awka, an existing Cricket team, and a Cricket tournament between the three schools commenced. Professor Umeadi now drafted Obiora Odinye to go round the three schools and coach them on cricket. At CKC and Nri Boys to teach them the rudiments and start them in the game and at Bishop Crowther to sharpen their already acquired skills. Late Odinye would suggest and bring on board my humble self to assist him in the coaching, catered for by Professor Umeadi.

Apart from sponsoring Cricket equipment to the schools, Professor Umeadi sponsored Late Coach Obiora Odinye to attend the Coaching course organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) at Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He also sponsored the Coach and a player each from the Cricket playing schools for the Scorers and Umpires course in Lagos, Nigeria. In April 2004, He sponsored Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka to take part in the 8th Howzat Super League in Lagos.

In 2005, Professor . Umeadi presented the Hon Justice Peter N.C. Umeadi Champion of Champions Trophy for competition among the Secondary Schools in Anambra State. This wonderful initiative set the ball rolling for cricket growth in the schools and further led to the emergence of Bishop Crowther Seminary (BCS), Awka as the winners of the 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013 editions of the National Junior Cricket Championship sponsored by Philip Asiodu. The school also won various awards at the national level. These achievements are rooted to the participation, exposure and successes recorded in the Hon. Justice Umeadi Championships.

Professor Umeadi facilitated the holding of the 10th Edition of the Philip Asiodu Cricket Super League at Awka, Anambra State for the first time, from 19th April 2006. Before the games the Howzat Foundation presented a plaque to Professor Umeadi to record his contributions to the development of the game of Cricket in Nigeria.

Mogbo Chibueze, Captain of BCS was presented with the overall highest scorer plaque for his outstanding performance in one of the editions of the Howzat leagues. Charles Obasi of BCS who also participated in the Hon. Justice Umeadi cup was selected and he played for Nigeria in the Under 19 Championships held in South Africa. Many other players who represented South East in different competitions were also discovered through the tournament.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to his office by some members of Anambra State Cricket Association in 2016, Professor Peter Umeadi went down memory lane vividly recalling how his love and passion for the game of cricket made him start a cricket championship in the past which lasted for more than four years.
He recalled how he travelled to South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom scouting for cricket equipment for schools. Though he did not play the game of cricket, he said he understood the values, ethics, ethos and virtues of the game which he believes need to be inculcated in the youths to make our society a better place.
He expressed regret that his championship went comatose since the demise of Mr.Obiora Odinye who he affirmed to be trustworthy, reliable, and gentleman in all ramifications. Following the dedication of Late Mr. Odinye in the coordination of the competitions, Professor Umeadi in 2016 decided to immortalize him by naming the 9th championships in Late Mr. Obiora Odinye’s name. Hence the Hon. Justice Peter N.C. Umeadi Champion of Champions’ Trophy was renamed ‘Obiora Odinye Cricket Championship for Secondary Schools in Anambra State sponsored by The Peter Umeadi Foundation’.
He went further to expand the championship to cover more schools – Regal Secondary School, Nri, Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka, Comprehensive Secondary School, Nawfia, Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha and Christ the King College, Onitsha.
The seed that Professor Peter planted the school that is in his own town, Nri has grown into a big iroko. Regal Secondary School Nri is the current Champions of Obiora Odinye cup. The school has also produced players that represented the State in the schools competitions within South East and Nigeria at large.
Cricket has become a big festival in Regal Secondary school and has produced many players that are now knocking at the doors of the National Team. Happy to mention that Sabatina Izuakor, an ex-student of the school is today among the National Female team squad. Nzube Nwokike is one of the development players that represented Nigeria in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup held in South Africa in 2020. Chijioke Okafor, Ndubude Elochukkwu and Udekwe Chiemelie will join Nzube in fighting for slots for the new U19 National Team that is to be called to camp soon.
These feat would not have been possible if Prof Justice Umeadi did not provide the platform.
Haven followed judiciously the immense support and contributions of Professor Umeadi, the Nigeria Cricket Federation is happy to present the National Team jersey as a token of appreciation and recognition for the wonderful work done in the development of the game in Anambra State. We do not know how else to appreciate him than to present this national treasure to man of great value. Professor Peter N. C. Umeadi.
Congratulations My Lord.”