Olukayode Babalola
Nasarawa State government has pledged to support Maikaya Development Foundation’s annual grassroots football competition aimed at fostering unity, mutual coexistence among the different tribes in Toto local government area of the state.
Ja’afaru Ango, Nasarawa state Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development stated this in an interview with newsmen at the finals of the Maikaya Development Foundation 2024 annual football competition held in Toto recently.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the final played Chiroma Football Club and Kofa Football Club ended in favour of Chiroma Football Club who won via penalty shootout 6-5 after the match 0-0 at normal time.
According to Ango, the state government is proud of the initiative of Maikaya Development Foundation and would do it’s possible best to support and help sustain the competition aimed at bringing different tribes together and opening sporting opportunities for youths in the area.
“As a government we really appreciate what he foundation is doing and we will support it because the foundation is using the platform to foster unity and friendship among the different tribes in the area.
“It is also using the competition to engage the youths meaningfully instead of allowing them to use their energy to do things the society will not be happy with them.
“It is better for them to come out here and showcase their talents. That is why as a government we are backing the foundation and are here to support and celebrate this laudable initiative and all the participants of this competition,” he said.
He added that as a way of supporting grassroots sports initiative like that of Maikaya Development Foundation, the state government is planning to build six mini stadiums across the state so as to encourage grassroots sporting activities.
“Toto especially will benefit from this gesture due to its distance from Keffi. We are going to construct a standard mini stadium for the people of Toto and the Grace of God this January we will take up the job.
“The governor has already signed the budget for the year and he has promised that he will do the projects so that our youths can make good use of their talents,” he said.
He said the mini stadiums will have a standard football field with artificial turf and a structure for indoor games such as volleyball, badminton and table tennis among others.
Also speaking, Mohammed Maikaya, Chief Executive Officer of Maikaya Development Foundation said the drive behind the annual football competion is to support the state government in peace building in the area so as to make Toto a local government area that is peaceful and hospitable.
“The reports that come out of the local government was about insecurity, disunity among the people and we feel the only way we can support government in building peace and unity in the area is to organize things like this where we bring people of different tribes together and celebrate together.
“Since we started five years ago it has been working very well for us and for a long time we have not heard of incidents or insecurity issues in Toto. As far as Nasarawa state is concerned today, Toto is one of the most peaceful local government areas in the state partly due to initiatives like this.
“That is why we have sustained it. We have seen results and we will continue to organize it,” he said.
He added that the competition was also an avenue for the youths in the area to hone and showcase their skills so as to attract opportunities and earn a living through the sport instead of engaging in activities the society do not approve of.
“As a matter of fact a couple of them were invited to Nasarawa United Football Club for trials and some of them are still undergoing trials as we speak today.
“So it is an opportunity for us to discover these talents, give them opportunity to move forward and get discovered professionals. So for us this another of our way of adding value to humanity,” he said.
He however pointed out that reaching out to the youths through sports will be much easier if there are infrastructures hence the appeal to the state government to support the foundation’s initiative making available sporting infrastructure in the area.
In another interview, Ahmed Baba-Yahaya, Chairman of Toto LGA also lauded the initiative and pledged that the local government administration under his leadership will liaise with the foundation to sustain the competition.
“We are calling on other philanthropists and organizations to emulate this gesture because Toto LGA under my watch will ensure they are recognized and given awards for their efforts to develop and make Toto a better place,” he added. (NAN)