10th March, 2016
For contributing immensely to the development of taekwondo coupled with his exceptional efforts and commitment to creating positive social change and improving the lives of others, three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije, has been honoured by the British Council.
The honour was bestowed on him at the inaugural Education UK Alumni Award for ‘Social Impact’ held in Lagos, and organized by the British Council in colloboration with UK Education.
Chukwumerije, a bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in China, was rewarded alongside other well-meaning Nigerians.
Five Nigerians were slected in the social impact award and they include Durotimi Adeboye, Chukwudera Bridget Okeke, Olasoji Fagbola, Oluwasijibomi Olajuni who had done amazing things and made equally important impact in their various fields.
Reacting to the award, the 2007 African Games gold medalist said: “If I could, I would have divided the award in five, because I was inspired by their stories when it was told on that night. The work that is being done was not started with the purpose of winning any award. The greatest reward will be to see that participants in our programmes do very well for themselves for decades to come, and point back to these programmes as the turning point in their lives. There are many people to thank whose contribution has, in one way or the other, influenced the work I’m currently doing with my Sports Foundation.
“I want to thank the British Council for providing this platform to recognize and encourage Nigerians doing inspirational things in their various careers. I want to thank Ms. Faith Osiobe, who nominated me without my permission and literally bullied me through the application process. I want to thank Dan Stephenson, who personally took my application to the University of Liverpool in 2009, and then flew all the way to Lagos just for the award night last weekend. I want to thank the University of Liverpool for such a beautiful learning experience while I was there. Concepts like value creation, time and resources management, waste elimination, operations and strategy became real in my daily life, and helped me totally revamp my approach to my work. ”
According to the organizers, the professional achievement award recognises alumni who have distinguished themselves through exemplary leadership and achievements in their professional industry, and who can demonstrate the highest level of integrity and character in their professional career.
Other awardees are Maupe Ogun, alumnus of University of East Anglia who won the professional achievement award, Gbolahan Fagbure of the University of Reading wo claimed the Entrepreneurial Award, while Chukwumerije, alumnus of University of Liverpool won the Social Impact Award.