On the 9th of January, 2026, members of the Onitsha Ex-Footballers in Diaspora (ONIFID), in collaboration with the Amsterdam All Stars of the Netherlands, paid a historic courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe Agbogidi, the Obi of Onitsha Kingdom, at his palace in Onitsha.
The visit was facilitated by Abada Iwuchukwu, Esq., a member of both ONIFID and the Amsterdam All Stars, who is an Onitsha indigene and a resident of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The courtesy visit formed part of the activities surrounding a novelty football match organized between the two teams at the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Awka Road, Onitsha.
The Onitsha Ex-Footballers in Diaspora are former footballers who grew up in the Onitsha metropolitan area and now reside in various countries across the world, though not all members are indigenes of Onitsha. The Amsterdam All Stars, on the other hand, are a group of former footballers mainly based in Amsterdam and its environs in the Netherlands.
Given the proximity of the palace of the revered monarch to the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, both teams were hoping it would be possible to visit the traditional ruler of the Onitsha Kingdom.
Securing an audience with such a highly revered monarch initially seemed a distant dream. However, through the invaluable assistance of Dr. Mike Areh (Onya of Onitsha Kingdom), Abada Iwuchukwu, Esq. was able to successfully arrange this memorable royal courtesy visit. The occasion turned out to be a dream come true for many members of both ONIFID and the Amsterdam All Stars, who were deeply honored to receive the royal blessings of His Majesty.
The ONIFID delegation was led by its President, Mr. Nkemakonam Jideofor Nwonwu (popularly known as Olnation), while the Amsterdam All Stars were led by Mr. Kingsley Onuma Ihegwuruike (Ikenga Aguata), who represented the Chairman, Mr. Jude Edeh (Player).
The visit reaffirmed the enduring bond between football veterans in the diaspora and their cultural roots, as well as their profound respect for the traditional institution and the throne of the Obi of Onitsha.
All participants remain profoundly grateful to God Almighty for making it possible to partake in this historic and spiritually uplifting royal encounter.
Long live His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe Agbogidi.
Long live the Onitsha Ado Kingdom.
