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WE ARE ON IT AGAIN ! ! !

*Goodwill Message To Nigerians by U.S. Boxing Champ

By Enobong Umohette (Wisconsin Heavyweight Boxing Champion)

Once again, I am humbled and grateful to you all for giving me the privilege to contribute my quota to inspiring our people, through my struggles in and out of the boxing ring.

Today, August 5th, 2010, our people under the dynamic umbrella of AKISAN will convene in Baltimore, Maryland to celebrate the achievements of our sons and daughters and to show the sense of brotherliness, charity and goodwill that is synonymous with Akwa Ibom people. I stand to identify with AKISAN and its able leadership, whose humanitarian philanthropy for the less privileged by way of scholarships and grants for our sons and daughters back home, has been tremendous. Also, I want to commend the distinguished sons and daughters, whose excellence in professional and humanitarian endeavors have earned a worthy reckon from AKISAN this year. I thank, the Maryland AKISAN chapter youth group, who have given me and my manager/promoter Mr. Emmanuel Usoh the privilege to be a part of their function and to speak to them about chasing their dream.

You were all there in my corner, when I started the journey in professional boxing in April 2009 and with your support, I clinched the Heavy Weight Championship title of the State of Wisconsin within one year.

First let me acknowledge the support and sacrifice His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Godswill Akpabio has shown towards Akwa Ibom state and our people. Obong Godswill Akpabio represents leadership, and through this dynamic leadership, I am convicted that no matter the challenges we face back home, our state is moving forward for the better. I call on all our sons and daughters to pray for the leadership, show support and encouragement and foster brotherly love for one another.

I respectfully wish to recognize the contributions of People’s Servant(Ps.) Charles O. Okereke, an idealist, social reformer and a strong advocate of the rights of the poor masses of Nigeria. People’s Servant(Ps.) Charles O. Okereke, has over the years continued to empower the Nigerian people with his progressive articulation. His electoral revolution campaign in south Eastern Nigeria is in itself and ideological landmark, that is re-orienting the minds of Nigerian citizens on their sacrosanct right to free electoral choice. This gentleman has supported my career and is not only a friend of Akwa Ibom, but an asset to Nigeria and Africa.

As we head to a momentous convention in Baltimore, Maryland I want to use this moment to recognize the tireless and selfless sacrifice of Ms. Linda Umoh. She is like a raging fire of progress, passion and dedication to the upliftment of Akwa Ibom people. I salute her dexterity, courage and resilience in pushing the cause of the ‘Akwa Ibom Project’ as well as her unending support for my career.

In another breath, I want to express my gratitude to Mr. Emmanuel Usoh of Philadelphia who has been a pillar of support to my career since we met at the 2009 Michigan Convention. Despite the enormous cost implication inherent in professional boxing, he boldly took on the challenge of managing and promoting my professional career. Since 2009, Mr. Emmanuel Usoh has contributed immense material resources to fund my training, travels and campaign in the boxing ring. His unflinching faith in the project of inspiring our people has culminated in the first of many Heavy Weight title championships that shall be won to the glory of our people, through my hands. Mr. Emmanuel Usoh, leading the ‘Philadelphia group’ has taken me all over the United States and exposed me to veteran trainers and fighters who equipped me with the technical know-how to defeat the Champion whose belt I claimed, even when I was completely out-sized and seemingly over matched.

I want to thank Mr. Ufot Kish Ufot, his lovely wife and family and indeed his ‘Washington DC crew’ who showed their kindness and hospitality to me during the maiden visit of Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan to the United States of America. It was indeed a rare privilege to see His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan again in person, after first seeing him as a Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, in my days as a Federal Civil Servant back in Nigeria.

On a personal note, I want to take a moment to remember our brothers and sisters who have laid down their lives through service in the Armed Forces all over the world, as they fight to keep peace, uphold fundamental human rights and protect the freedom of citizens from tyranny and oppression. I remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen to conflicts of violence and lost their lives through natural disasters. May their souls rest in peace.

I shall not end this goodwill message without saying a big thank you, to the few who are too shy to see their names in print for their kind spiritual and material support in the journey so far.

Finally, I invite you all to come and fellowship with one another in Baltimore, Maryland, as I will not only be there in spirit but will be there physically to thank you, talk with you and show you my sense of gratitude and association with our people. I shall bring with me, the coveted belt I won in a grueling 7 round battle and will proudly have you earn your right to its glory, because it is yours; an Akwa Ibom inspired championship victory.

I intend to be the next Akwa Ibomite to become Heavy Weight Champion of the world and will be as I have always been, a champion in the heart of the people, who will not need forms filled to be accessed or be aloof and distant from the people but will be a humble servant in the mission of inspiring our people. I respectfully urge you all to extend your prayer and support to our dear champion Samuel Peter who makes his rise and return to capture the undisputed heavy weight championship of the world. Samuel did it before and will shake up the world again.

Also, please join me in wishing a Happy Birthday to a fine gentleman, whose courage and passion for service has written his name on a glorious page in the history book of the great United States of America; I speak about His Excellency, President Barack Obama who clocked 49 years yesterday (August 4th), 2010.

As a citizen of the world, I respectfully thank all my non-Akwa Ibom, non Nigerian and non African partners and friends who have helped in giving me a voice to encourage and inspire through the sport of boxing.

See you in Baltimore and soon again at ring side.

Yours sincerely,

Enobong Umohette

THE NIGERIAN GENTLEMAN (T.N.G)

T.N.G WISCONSIN HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE PHOTOS

*READ T.N.G’s WISCONSIN HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT REPORT AT:- http://nigeriamasterweb.com/blog/index.php/2010/03/21/title_5

Photo Above: 7th Round: McDowell knocked out face-up on the floor

Photo Above: 7th Round: McDowell unable to get up and fight after knock out

Photo Above: Umohette declared winner & new Wisconsin Heavyweight Champion. The referee raises Umohette’s right hand and another official (holding Umohette’s new belt) raises his left.

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