Featured
World Taekwondo Approves Coach Certification Program For Nigeria
…As NTF lauds WT Gesture
Joel Ajayi
The World Taekwondo body has approved a WT Coach Certification Course Level I to take place in Nigeria between 15th– 16th December 2019 in FCT Abuja
This will be the first English version of the Course to take place in Africa, after courses held in Morocco and Egypt in Arabic. With Sudan set to hold another in Arabic and Senegal confirmed to hold the course in French, the English version in Nigeria gives a huge opportunity to coaches from Anglophone countries in Africa to benefit from the course, ahead of the Olympic year of 2020.
Participant coaches are expected to be taught about the competition rules, games management, medical and anti-doping, WT Global Membership System and other topics crucial for coaches to make a difference at competitive events.
President of the Federation, Margaret Binga, thanked the World body for the program and spoke on why her administration made tremendous effort to secure the program.
“We really thank the World Taekwondo body for approving the program in Nigeria. The World Taekwondo body is really doing a lot to ensure development spreads across the continent.”
“It will cost a fortune to send our coaches to other countries to get this knowledge. Attracting this program makes it very affordable for our coaches. We even pushed and got a 50% discount in registration fees to reduce the financial burden so that all our coaches, at the elite and grassroots level, can participate.”
The President also spoke on how the decision was reached by her administration.
“From 2021, this certification is required for any coach to participate in another World Taekwondo event. We initially wanted to organize a national coaching workshop during the Korean Ambassador Cup in October. But my technical department successfully argued that we should upgrade to the World taekwondo Coaching certification to triple the benefits to our coaches and Taekwondo community.”
In a Whatsapp message sent to Taekwondo practitioners in Nigeria, Nigeria’s Technical Director Engr. Chika Chukwumerije who is also a Member of the World Taekwondo “Taekwondo for All” Committee urged coaches in Nigeria to work hand-in-hand with the Federation to develop from the grassroots up.
“Honestly, the quality of our future athletes is very dependent on the quality of our grassroots coaches. Every coach or athlete-coach should have quality knowledge to transfer to their athletes from the very beginning. Participation in a quality event like this helps the coach and consequently the state and the nation to produce better quality athletes. Have superior knowledge also gives the coach leverage to attract more persons to its club, and do not forget the satisfaction that comes with producing quality and medal-winning athletes”
The three-time Olympian and Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medalist also pointed out the level of participation in top countries in Africa.
“In Morocco where they just had the course, over 400 persons participated. In Egypt, it was a requirement for all their coaches. They understand how important it is to have the grassroots coaches empowered through knowledge and this is one of the reasons they dominate at the African Games. It is something that is commendable and should be also done here in Nigeria.”
Registration for the two-day event has already commenced through the World Taekwondo Global Membership System.
A minimum of 50 coaches are expected to participate in the event.
Featured
Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles
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.”
-
Featured6 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured6 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured6 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured4 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports3 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News10 months agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured6 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
