Innocent Oweh has been appointed as the acting Chairman of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia by the State government. Oweh who took over from the former Chairman, Pastor Emeka Inyama will be in charge of the Nigerian Premier League club pending the constitution of a new Board by the State government for the four clubs in the State.
The appointment of the acting Chairman was confirmed by Mr Chinedu Ekeke, the Special Adviser to Governor Otti on Sports who also advised the staff Abia Warriors to give maximum corporation to Oweh in running the club.
He explained that the appointment was approved by Governor Otti. Mr Oweh who is a principal officer with the State Civil service, has been with the club for over 20 years But some staff of football club are said to be unhappy because of the appointment, saying that Mr Innocent Oweh, though a senior civil servant in the club, did not have the requisite qualification to lead the club to lead the club as he is allegedly a driver by career.
But the acting Chairman has dismissed the claims that he is not qualified for the duty, saying that he had been in the club since its formation years. “Sincerely, I have been in the club right from inception. We started the club as OUK from the lower division until it gained promotion to the NPFL.
I have worked variously in all departments of the club. I understand the working of the club and with the personnel we have around, we can make things happen”. Continuing, Oweh said “the government has given directives, and it is our responsibility to hit the ground running.
“The out gone Board was directed to hand over to the most Senior Civil Servant in the club, which, I eventually happened to be the most senior in Abia Warriors FC. I became a Principal Officer in the State Civil Services in 2014.” So, I was appointed accordingly, pending the reconstitution of the new Boards. Just like I said earlier, I understand the working of the club and the Nigeria Premier League.
I will put in my best to ensure that the club is found among the contenders if eventually the League begins “. Oweh said all he needs from his colleagues in the club is their support, saying that players and staff welfare will be his ultimate priority within the period of his leadership. Innocent Oweh is a native of Ntighauzo in Obingwa LGA of the State.”
