Nigeria basketball icon Ejike Ugboaja has commended the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari for conferring on him with the national honour of Member of the order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
Ugboaja was conferred with the MFR honour on Sunday by former president Buhari alongside other Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers.
Speaking on his national award, he said:”This honour by former President, Muhammadu Buhari came when I least expect . Infact, I am happy my country has appreciated me for the little I had contributed to it’s growth. .The conferredment of the award of MFR has turned out to be a memorable birthday gift to me from the president.
“ This award will spurge me to do more using the foundation ito provide Nigerian youths with the opportunity to achieve their academic and athletic dreams at home and abroad.
“I have been very fortunate and blessed to be where I am today. My goal, starting this foundation is to offer young kids the opportunity I never had, though aspired for when I was in their age. I want to help them become a success for their families and themselves.”
Born in Zaria, Kaduna State on May 28, 1985 and a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Ugboaja started his basketball career with the Youth Movement Christian Association in 1999, from which he was selected to represent Kaduna State at the National Sports Festival in Ibadan 2001.
His performance at the Ibadan games earned him a place in one of the perennial powerhouse basketball clubs of Nigeria, the Yelwa Hawks.
Ugboaja became an All-Star during the 2001-2002 Premier League season. During this time, he also represented ABU in the Nigerian University Games (NUGA), and West African University Games, where the university basketball team came out as champions in 2003 and 2004.
He is known for his rebounding ability, but it was his scoring ability that catapulted him into an opportunity with Premier League giants Union Bank in 2004. He averaged 25 points and 15 rebounds per game in the Nigerian Premier League with the Bankers.
In 2006, he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 55th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.
He is the only player in history to be drafted directly from Africa. Since the beginning of his basketball career, Ejike has been a standout member of the Nigerian National Team.
He represented Nigeria at the 2002 U-18 African Championships in Egypt, the 2003 U-18 World Championships in Greece, the 2005 U-21 World Championships in Argentina, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Since 2007, Ugboaja has been a member of Nigeria’s Senior National Team, competing at the highest international level. In 2011, Ejike and the Nigerian senior national team competed for a bid to the 2012 Olympics in London, where they participated.
Upon being drafted by the Cavaliers in 2006, his love for his country and desire to help younger generations inspired him to start the Ejike Ugboaja Foundation.
