By Francis Nansak, Lafia
Toto town was agog on Saturday as top government officials, politicians, and residents converged for the grand finale of the Mattawale Empowerment And Development Foundation, MEDF, inter-ward football competition held in honour of the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, Barr. Shuiabu Labaran Magaji, SAN.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, who attended as Special Guest of Honour, used the event to announce ₦10 million in cash prizes, 4,000 empowerment slots, and new infrastructure projects for Toto LGA.
The football competition, organized to mark the 53rd birthday of the SSG, drew massive crowds of youths, traditional rulers, and party stakeholders.
Massive Investment in Grassroots Sports in a bid to encourage youth participation in sports, Governor Sule presented ₦5 million to the first-place winners and ₦2 million to the runners-up.
He also rewarded match officials, tournament organizers, and coaches with ₦1 million each in appreciation of their contributions to the success of the competition.
“Government will continue to invest in our youths through sports because it builds discipline, unity and creates opportunities,” the Governor said.
4,000 Beneficiaries as MEDF Flags Off Empowerment
as part of MEDF’s empowerment mandate, the Governor flagged off two key programmes: Women Empowerment3,000 beneficiaries and Youth Empowerment 1,000 beneficiaries
The 4,000 beneficiaries are expected to receive starter packs, cash support, and skills acquisition training to boost self reliance across the 10 wards of Toto.
To strengthen community safety, Gov. Sule also commissioned the newly renovated Divisional Police Headquarters in Toto LGA.
The event attracted a large turnout, including the APC gubernatorial candidate and Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Sen. Ahmed Wadada Aliyu.
Many residents described the grand finale as “one of the biggest grassroots development drives witnessed in Toto in recent years
Barr. Shuiabu Labaran Magaji, SAN, who recently clocked 53, was also celebrated. The SSG bagged a PhD from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, during a well-attended convocation ceremony.
He has served in various capacities at both federal and state levels as a jurist before his current appointment as Secretary to the State Government.
The MEDF grand finale ended with cultural displays, football finals, and distribution of empowerment materials to beneficiaries.
