By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Reverend Father,Hyacinth Alia, has reaffirmed his commitment to revitalizing the state’s football sector, highlighting its potential to unite Nigerians and boost economic growth.
Alia who spoke Tuesday in Makurdi,during a joint inspection tour of the Aper Aku Stadium with NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far.
He said his administration is not just developing football, but equally building a unifying force, emphasizing that Football has the power to bring Nigerians together, and his government is aiming exactly at that.
The governor also highlighted the economic benefits of investing in sports infrastructure, noting that it will create jobs and stimulate growth.
He emphasized that the move is part of his administration’s efforts to reduce costs, eliminate waste, and improve fiscal responsibility.
Governor Alia announced plans to revive the Governor’s Cup Under-17 tournament, which aims to discover young talent and promote grassroots football development, adding that the move has sparked excitement among local communities, with a substantial prize pool of N20 million at stake.
NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau praised Governor Alia’s efforts, stating, that he is happy with what he has seen.
He said with the governor’s commitment,he would achieve great things, emphasizing the need for alternative stadiums to host international matches, citing the country’s current limitations.
He noted that with Governor Alia’s vision and collaboration with the NFF, Benue State is poised to become a hub for football development in Nigeria,stresding that the partnership would create a thriving football ecosystem, promoting unity, economic growth, and opportunities for young talent.
Gusau maintained that the development is a significant step forward for Benue State’s football sector, adding that with Governor Alia and NFF at the helm, the future looks bright for Nigerian football.
