By Noble Uchegbu Uchechukwu
Ihiagwa, Imo State came alive with colour, energy and prestige as the University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA), Owerri Branch, stormed the serene campus of Shekinah British International School for its 2026 Inter-House Sports Competition, 6th Edition, a spectacle that blended sportsmanship, academic excellence and institutional pride.
From the moment members of UNAA, elegantly adorned in their distinguished uniforms and mufflers, assembled at Wetheral Road Stadium for departure, it was clear that this was more than a routine courtesy visit. It was a bold statement of solidarity with a visionary educationist and proud UNAA member, Lion King Smart Obinna George Unegbu, Managing Director and Proprietor of the fast-rising international institution.
A Campus That Redefines Educational Standards
Earlier encounters with the institution had already left many alumni astonished. During a guided tour personally conducted by Dr. Unegbu, members witnessed fully air-conditioned hostels for boys and girls, cutting-edge educational gadgets, well-equipped vocational training facilities, and a learning environment comparable to global standards.
The school has earned a reputation for its unique educational culture, where students are not only academically grounded but exposed to all aspects of vocational education, preparing them for global competitiveness. Its diverse student population includes Nigerians and foreign nationals, Americans, Indians, Ghanaians, British citizens and others, making it a truly international academic community nestled comfortably in Ihiagwa, Imo State.
One remarkable highlight often spoken about by visitors is the school’s structured welfare system where students are provided five well-prepared meals daily, local and continental varieties, neatly garnished and packaged, reflecting a commitment to holistic development.
The 6th Edition: A Festival of Colours and Champions
The 2026 Inter-House Sports Competition was nothing short of electrifying. Four vibrant houses, Red, Green, Yellow and Blue, competed fiercely across multiple sporting events in an atmosphere charged with cheers, discipline and healthy rivalry.
Parents, invited guests, alumni members and well-wishers watched with admiration as students demonstrated agility, teamwork and confidence, hallmarks of a school that prioritizes both mind and body development.
The competition was more than medals and trophies; it was a celebration of structured grooming, leadership cultivation and global exposure.
A Moment of Honour and Recognition
In a significant highlight of the event, the UNAA Owerri Branch President, Louis Alozie, SAN , ably represented by Dr. Chioma Emeanaa, formally decorated Dr. Smart Obinna Unegbu in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education and his unwavering support to the alumni association.
Dr. Unegbu’s generosity to UNAA, including the donation donation of several computers, a Sienna bus, and 900 bags of cement for Alumni Center Project during a previous courtesy visit, was applauded as a testament to his large heartedness and commitment to community development.
While presenting the decoration, the Branch President described him as:
“A distinguished Lion, an academic giant, and a shining example of what visionary leadership in education should represent.”
The decoration ceremony was greeted with thunderous applause, symbolizing unity between academia and alumni leadership.
Proof That Excellence Thrives in Imo
For many in attendance, the visit reaffirmed a powerful truth, that something great can indeed emerge from Imo State. The institution stands as living proof that world-class education can flourish within Nigeria when driven by vision, discipline and global orientation.
As UNAA members pledged continued advocacy and support, the event concluded on a note of pride and renewed commitment, to promote, publicize and partner with institutions that elevate the standard of education in Nigeria.
Indeed, the 6th Inter-House Sports Competition of Shekinah British International School was not merely a sporting event; it was a statement, that excellence is intentional, leadership is impactful, and the future is being deliberately shaped in Ihiagwa.
