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Makanjuola Sets Sight On Using FIFA U20 W/Cup As Springboard To Success

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Makanjuola Sets Sight On Using FIFA U20 W/Cup As Springboard To Success

 

Flying Eagles’ forward Success Makanjuola says the 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup which gets underway in Poland next week will provide a perfect opportunity for him to excel.

Makanjuola, while speaking Thursday with www.bsnsports.com.ng (BSN Sports) from the team’s training camp in Germany, said he was itching to fully utilise Poland 2019 like others before him.

 

The player fondly called “Light’’ by his admirers said being picked for the national under-20 male team by coach Paul Aigbogun was a great opportunity he was going to fully utilise.

 

“I’m glad to make the team. It’s a great opportunity I have been looking forward to over the last few years and I bless God’s name for making it happen now, ” Makanjuola, who has been rated as one of the biggest players to shine at the World Cup in Poland, said.

 

He was no doubt an obvious choice for Aigbogun and his technical crew colleagues at the Flying Eagles.

 

Having lost the chance of having Samuel Chukwueze, who chose featuring for the Super Eagles at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt instead of Poland 2019, Aigbogun was treading the right path.

 

The coach’s decision to name the technically-gifted Makanjuola in the 21-man list for Poland as a perfect replacement for Chukwueze of Spanish La Liga side Villarreal has been quickly justified.

 

Makanjuola emerged Man Of The Match in his first game for the Flying Eagles, on Tuesday against Austrian Bundesliga II side Red Bull Salzburg in a friendly which ended 1-1.

 

He showed that he has tremendously improved in the last two years and could be a poster boy for the Nigerian team with his dazzling qualities.

“Lionel Messi (of FC Barcelona and Argentina) has been a player I always learn from in every game he plays.

“Because I have been learning from him over the years, my dribbling skills and abilities have made whoever watches me play to draw comparison with Messi,’’ Makanjuola said.

 

The player who is few weeks away from clocking 18 years of age has however also shown he is wise beyond his years.

 

With a heart full of determination, as well as his strength and speed, Makanjuola believes he has learnt a lot from his favourite player has and would still learnt a lot.

 

“The only player I always look up to is Lionel Messi. I derive every playing pattern from Messi. He’s my idol and I love him. I love the way he plays and I have understudied his playing style to shine as a player and I dream of getting to his level in the future.

 

“It will be a miracle from God Almighty to see another player like Messi today, but with God permitting I have something better to show and to prove what I have learnt from him in the past few years.

 

“Already, the Flying Eagles’ coaching crew has built my confidence in the team and I am ready to play with my team mates and we are all ready to give our best in every game we play.”

 

Makanjuola, who shoots well and plays with the experience of a veteran, and he believes his youthful speed and deceptive strength will allow him to make a big impact.

 

“I am ready for the journey of gold and by the grace of God and our self-determination, focus, discipline, prayers, diligence and fans’ support we will make it happen.”

 

The player who is a product of Water FC of Abuja, the same youth academy which produced Babatunde Michael, is also optimistic of covering further ground with the Poland 2019 outing.

 

Makanjuola believes he can use the FIFA U-20 World Cup to earn a place in one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

 

BSN Sports

 

 

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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

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Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

 What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022. 

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further;  “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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