By Samuel Duodu, Seikwa.
Seikwa in the Tain district of Brong Ahafo, last Wednesday became a centre of merriment when the chiefs and people of the area decided to use the day to honour one of its illustrious youth, Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, a member of the Black Satellites that won the youth FIFA World Cup Championship held in Egypt recently.
In a heroic fashion, Agyeman Badu, a citizen of Seikwa, was ushered into the town amidst drumming and dancing “Owen” as he is popularly called in the community, became the chant of the day as people followed him shouting, “Owen, Owen”.
In spite of the limited publicity of the event, people from within and outside the Tain district were there to cheer their hero. To the people, the event was a dual feast as it also coincided with “Punuwonfojo”, the annual yam festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Seikwa.
Addressing the people at the palace, the Omanhene of the area, Nana Kwaku Dwuma Ankoana II described the youngster as a true son of the land, who exemplified the appellation of the Seikwa stool known as ‘Bekoe’, which literally means “the one who came to fight”.
“Agyeman did not hide his mission from us, he was obedient enough to consult Nananom before leaving, and we also gave him our blessings,” he said and added that, no amount of words could describe the honour done Seikwa and the Tain district by the footballer who was nurtured by the community, adding that, the community was equally showing its appreciation.
Nana Dwumah urged other young people in the area to emulate the virtues of Agyeman-Badu, which are, hard work, dedication, respect and commitment in all their fields of endeavour.
He promised the support of the stool to any of its sons and daughters who made the effort to distinguish themselves in their chosen disciplines. Agyeman Badu was honoured with a ram, yams and a smock. He was also offered a plot of land.
Agyeman Badu who was overwhelmed with joy in his speech, said, “I knew you were all with me in spirit, therefore, I was never afraid,” he emphasised. Badu expressed his appreciation to the chiefs and people for the honour done him and his family, and added that the honour was a wakeup call to work harder to achieve more laurels for the community and the entire country.
He appealed to the people to be relentless in their prayers and advice as he explored his destiny.
The DCE for Tain, Mr Jones Samuel Tawiah, in his words of commendation, advised the youngster to be watchful of his lifestyle as he had achieved stardom and urged him to continue to be humble and also conveyed the well-wishes of Mr Asiedu Nketiah, the NDC General Secretary, another illustrious son of Seikwa to the youngster, urging him to live up to his dreams.
Mr Tawiah, who is also a native of Seikwa, disclosed that the Tain district assembly would also honour Agyeman-Badu for making the district proud.
Agyeman, doubles as the first person to achieve such honour in the Tain district as well as the first to play at the national level.
No comments:
Post a Comment