“This court is a symbol of hope in what is possible. I dedicate this facility to every young man who has a dream.” - Engr. Dr. Darlington Ugota.
Today, Friday, 27th June 2025, a basketball court was commissioned—not just as a sporting facility, but as a powerful symbol of vision, generosity, and community spirit. The court stands as a testament to what is possible when leadership meets goodwill and shared purpose.
Sited within Ebonyi State University and donated specifically for sporting activities, the basketball court was the generous gift of Engr. Darlington Ugota, a man whose heart beats for youth development and whose actions reflect the ideals of the Town and Gown initiative—a deliberate bridge between the university and the larger society.
But beyond the concrete and hoops, what was truly unveiled today was the heart of a man who believes in giving back, and the spirit of a citizen committed to lifting others. In an age where many turn inward, Engr. Ugota has chosen to extend his hands—and his resources—outward, planting a seed of opportunity where it will matter most: among the youth.
This court will host games. But more than that, it will host dreams, discipline, teamwork, and the making of character. It will become a ground where young people learn not just how to play, but how to strive, how to lead, and how to rise.
In Engr. Ugota’s gesture, we find a living example of what is possible when personal success meets public responsibility. His action is not just admirable—it is instructive. It calls on others in positions of influence, people of means and custodians of resources, both within and beyond the academic community, to follow suit. To reach back. To build. To give.
It is expected that this court will be more than a structure. It will be a challenge to all of us - a challenge to invest in people, to leave lasting impact, and to remember that the true measure of our lives is found not just in what we achieve, but in what we give back and what we enable others to become.
Today, we celebrate not just the commissioning of a basketball court, but the commissioning of a higher standard of community spirit.
Engr. Darlington Ugota, we salute your heart, your vision, and your legacy. And to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, we express our gratitude for standing with the people and commissioning a project that speaks directly to the future of our youth and the vitality of our institutions.
May this act inspire many more — for the good of our students, our society, and the generations yet to come.
■Chike Onwe
June 27, 2025
