Former World Heavyweight Kickboxer champion, Ekufu holds auditions Nov

Etim Ekpimah

Former World Heavyweight Champion of Kickboxers and Deputy Superintendent of Police, LovethPatra Ekufu is to hold auditions for sport, entertainment, tourism and culture, among others in Lagos from November 29 to December 1.

The event is aimed at developing grassroots sports in Nigeria and as a way of curbing crime and criminality in the country.

Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, Ekufu said her Public Relations team are working assiduously to ensure a hit-free festival.

She said: “There will be auditions in some states and my Public Relations members are trying to put things together.

“Audition will be held before the finale from November 29 to December 1.

“We aim to see that we have young talents with bright futures. We hope to develop grassroots sport, entertainment, tourism and culture to ensure a crime-free environment for our country.”

She added that the festival which will be a yearly event, will take place in Lagos at Prince Park Entertainment Centre, Lekki.

As part of her efforts to give back to society, she revealed that her organisation will partner with many states by asking them to include the event in their carnivals or festivals. because that is what people want to see.

As for those eligible to participate in the event, she said they will give kids opportunities to participate in the pageant.

“It’s a lot of events. People from 18 years and above are expected to participate. Regarding fashion, we shall also give the children opportunities to participate.

“We will be able to have young talent with a bright future; we will be able to develop grassroots sport, entertainment, tourism and culture and to create a crime-free environment.

President of Kickboxers Association of Nigeria, Wilson Okon Godwin, said the event has started.

According to Godwin, he can describe the event as a trek; saying you trek, get tired, rest and continue. We are celebrating her; she is giving back to society, where she benefited from, and I am also giving back to where I’ve benefited from. We call it from grass to grace.

He stated: “We do grassroots programmes monthly. Next month, we are going to have a programme, “Kickboxing for women folk”. It is going to be powered by the military. They will be in Abuja to teach them kickboxing and self-defence.

“I run this programme and I have a gym around Akoka, where I run the programmes for females, kickboxing, combat sport, karate. I am from a Karate background, kickboxing background, and from judo background.

“So, the programme is meant to empower female children. Talking to you right now, I have two athletes who are going to Togo (today), one male and one female. This is the way I can give back to society, and the community, where I have benefited so much from.

“I can tell you today, that the Olympic Games of Nigeria, which is the national sports festival, of all the combat sports, kickboxing has the highest amount of entry.

“We need necessary support from the Nigeria Police Force, and she has been getting it in one way or the other. As I am talking to you, others have gone out, but gradually we bring them into the limelight,” he said.

He, however, hailed the Nigeria Police Force, adding of all the institutions, either military or paramilitary, for me, the police are the best.

Amb Piegbe Emmanuel Uebari, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigerian businessmen, state, federal, and local governments to fund LovethPatra foundation so that we can touch the lives of young Nigerians.

He added that the feat the lady had achieved in sport is worth commending and her foundation well-funded for her to be able to help others stay out of crime and be productive for the country.

“I plead with the Police Service Commission Chairman, Mr Solomon Arase (IGP, retired) to ensure that LovethPatra is promoted as a way of encouraging her.

“Let’s celebrate our own because other countries celebrate theirs; let’s celebrate her. She is a lady going into kickboxing, which is one of the most difficult sports you can think about in the world.

“She went to the international stage and won twice and brought back the belt. So, we are here to celebrate her on our own. I have also called all the governments at all levels to rise and celebrate this lady.

“We have floated a foundation for her, let them sponsor that foundation so that we can get more young women to train, and monitor them so that they can also achieve the feat,” he said.

Cornel Udofia, Africa’s most prolific media and PR and MD, CMC, in his remarks, thanked all those present at the event to honour LovethPatra (aka, Nigerian Terminator).

He explained that Nigeria and Nigerians are proud of the feat, LovethPatra has achieved in the field of sport.

He said: “I want to thank God for making today possible because what we have for you, what we have for Nigeria, what we have for Africa and the world is something that all of us are proud of.

“I mean my sister, my friend, my boss, Loveth Patra, aka ‘Nigerian Terminator’, whom I know some few years back through one of my friends. He told me that what she has for ground is what all of us have to support her and make sure that she achieves her dream.”

Others at the event are Zaaki Azzay, Vice President of PMAN; Eno Udo, award-winning movie producer and convener of the National Integrity Award; Chairman Emeritus Amb. Dr. Moji Oyetayo (aka, Mama Ajasco) of Super Story Fame; Amb. Dr. Chris Akwarandu Nollywood veteran and Mecfanny Female Record owner.

The press conference climaxed with the award of excellence to LovethPatra by Cornell Udofia on behalf of his organisation, CMC.