January 04, (THEWILL) – The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has praised Benue State governor, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, for giving special attention to the development of the state sports sector within one year in office.
This is even as the Benue State Football Association Association (BAFA) awarded the Man of the Year 2024 to the Governor.
The NFF President, who made this assertion at a Gala night and award presentation organised by the Benue State Football Association (BAFA), in Makurdi on Friday, noted that the revival of the abandoned governor’s cup competitions in the state was one of the greatest achievements the governor has recorded so far.
He posited that the ongoing renovation work at the Aper Aku township stadium Makurdi to international standard, will not only make Lobi Stars football club play matches at home but is capable of stimulating the local economy for the good of the state.
He said on completion of renovation work, the national team will play some of their matches at the Aper Aku township, describing the Man of Year Award by BAFA to Governor Alia as capable of pushing him to do more for the Benue people.
Earlier, the chairman of Benue State Football Association (BAFA), Barr Paul Edeh, commended Governor Alia, for restoring the defunct governor’s cup competition after eight years of inactivity.
Edeh pointed out that the contract for the renovation work at the Aper Aku township stadium was awarded by the past administration, but not attended to for two years and it was the Alia regime that is funding it while work is nearing completion.
“The NFF President has made football management easy in the country through purposeful leadership. Let me challenge him to adopt our policy of a female team at the national level as it is done here by BAFA”, he stated.
BAFA chairman, also commended the Commissioner for Sports, Youth and Creativity, Rt. Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange, for non-interference in football management in the state, thanked him for his purposeful policy direction.
Receiving the award on behalf of the governor, his Chief of Staff, Rt Hon Paul Biam, commended the BAFA chairman for his commitment to football development in the state.
He assured of the Alia administration’s continuous support and creating an enabling environment to engage the youth of the state through sports in order to check idleness.
While commending the NFF President for his interest in Benue State sporting sector, Biam acknowledged the role Barr Edeh, played in ending a months strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Benue State University Makurdi, when he voluntarily loaned money for payment of arrears that led to the suspension of strike at the time.
He called on well-meaning people to join hands with the Alia administration to deliver on the campaign promises, saying the year 2025 has come with great hope for the people of the state and beyond.
Highlights at the ceremony were the presentation of various categories of awards to deserving personalities including the Deputy Governor, Dr Sam Odeh, NFF president, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Chief Mrs Magaret Icheen, Dr Iorgulum Malu and Francisca Ordega.
Others were, Speaker, Chief Hyacinth Aondoana Dajoh, Elder Francis Ejiga, Solomon Andii, Magaret Aku, Dr Phillip Nongu, Alex Awuna, Akoo Andii, Ter Makurdi, Benue State University, among others.
