…Reiterates Higher Supports To Solid Miners
Nasarawa State’s sports-loving Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, on Monday, played host to players and officials of Nasarawa United Football Club on Sallah homage at his Gudi country home in Akwanga Local Government Area.
Joined by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, and a retinue of top Government functionaries, including the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Muhammad Aliyu-Ubandoma, Commissioners, Aides, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the State, Dr. Aliyu Bello, and Overseers of Development Areas, the Governor congratulated the team for gaining promotion back to the Nigeria Premier Football League and said they have made the State proud.
“Our dear worthy Champions of Champions, I wish you all a happy Sallah Celebration.
“I actually thought I was going to wait to receive you people on Friday in Lafia from Enugu, but after receiving briefings from the Media Officer of the Club, Eche Amos, you know I don’t want to talk about him whenever he is not around, he said the team would arrive Lafia late in the evening, so I discussed with him so we could reschedule the meeting with the team after the Sallah break, so I decided to send the Deputy Governor to receive you on my behalf.
“I am happy that the Deputy Governor gave you a hero’s reception.
“However, I couldn’t wait till either Wednesday, Thursday or Friday to receive you when I would be back in Lafia, so I decided to receive you today; I am happy to see you today.
“You see, this whole thing is not just about gaining promotion back to the Premier League that makes everyone happy; it’s about your dedication, commitment and your belief that you could do it, and you have gone there and done as expected.
“I follow everything Eche Amos posts on the Club’s WhatsApp platform, the short videos and all of that, and Eche could give you a heart attack if you don’t have any based on how he runs his match commentaries. You just have to be at the edge of your seat whenever he is running his match commentaries.
“I was in Egypt following the updates from him and I was so happy to see that we won our first match and when I returned to Nigeria, we won our other two games and instantly got promoted to the NPFL.
“I want to congratulate the Club’s Management as well as Management of Nasarawa Amazons FC and everyone who has been there for the Club.
“I also thank the Management and Staff of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for believing in the leadership of the Club; I appreciate the entire Technical and Backroom Staff of the Club and the ever-present Supporters’ Club.
“My mandate to the team has been fulfilled, and so I care less about the outcome of the Super Eight final against Beyond Limits Football Academy.
“However, I know there are some challenges affecting the Club, based on the information available to me, and I want to assure you that we will address all these issues on ground before we kick-start the 2024/25 NPFL Season. We will not only strengthen the squad but also reshuffle and strengthen the Management to make sure we bring in competent hands that will assist the Club perform better.
“I promise you, whatever it takes to strengthen the team to succeed, I will do it.”
Sule equally congratulated Lafia-based 3rd Division side, FC Basira, for gaining promotion to the National League, praising the owner of the team for his resilience and hard work towards uplifting football in the State.
The Governor who donated the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000.00) to the team and One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira(N1,500,000.00) to the Supporters’ Club, said the largesse was his personal Sallah tokens to the affected parties, and promised to fete the team to a special reception at the Government House after the festive holiday where he would disclose his rewards to members of the team.
Earlier, the State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Jafaru Ango, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, congratulated and thanked the Governor for his unwavering supports to Nasarawa United, sports and youth activities.
He said the task of qualifying the Club to the elite league has been actualized, stating that success is not achieved without falling down, but falling and standing back on one’s feet.
“I remember Your Excellency telling me in June last year to go back and see how we could put our heads together to return Nasarawa United back to the Premier League, and by the grace of God, we are back to the Premier League!
“Additionally, when you appointed me as Permanent Secretary, your marching order was to go and sanitize the Ministry, and I can boldly tell Your Excellency that the Ministry is now sanitized.”
Danladi equally appreciated the Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, for always standing by the team, in thick and thin.
“The Deputy Governor has been standing by the team from day one of the NNL campaign up until the last day of the campaign. Suffice to say, Your Excellency, that you have a fantastic Deputy Governor and we are proud of him.”
The Permanent Secretary went on to appreciate all the key stakeholders for all their wonderful supports to the actualization of the team’s goal.
Chairman of Nasarawa United, Dr. Othman Ahmed Ibrahim, while congratulating the Governor and people of Nasarawa State for the promotion of the Club to the top-flight said he was a fulfilled man to have accomplished the mandate of the Governor.
“I am so happy about this feat because nobody gave it to us to achieve. Before Your Excellency here are our gallant soldiers who have brought pride and honour to our State.
“We were so excellent at the Super Eight Play-off competition that we didn’t drop any points as we won all our games in the Northern Conference.
“Also, during the normal Season, we won all our home games.
“We thank Your Excellency and the Deputy Governor for the immense supports to the team always.
“We thank our teaming supporters and fans who have been nothing short of excellent throughout the season, and I wish to urge them to keep the fire burning.”
Chairman, Nasarawa State Football Association, Salisu Galadima ‘Basira’ thanked the Governor for providing an enabling environment for sports to thrive, making reference to the qualification of FC Basira from the Nationwide League One to the 2nd tier league in Nigeria.
“Your Excellency, within the space of 24 hours, Nasarawa State recorded two promotions, including FC Basira to the NNL and Nasarawa United to the NPFL.”
He promised to continue to support the Solid Miners to excel in the top-flight and participate in CAF inter-club competition.
Nasarawa United returned to the Premier League after just one season off following their 2023/24 NNL Super Eight success where they topped the Northern Conference table on Nine Points from three games.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of individual and team medals won at the recently concluded NNL Super Eight tournament in Enugu to the Governor who went on to present wraps of kola nuts to the team members in addition to his financial support.
