By
Eche Amos/Lafia
The Executive Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Hon. Safiyanu Isah Andaha, has voiced plans to stage the Chairman’s Cup Football Tournament.
During an exclusive interview with a selected team of journalists at the final of the 2025 Nasarawa State Governor’s Cup Football Tournament held at the Lafia City Stadium on Monday, 16th February, 2026, between Karu Local Government Area versus Wamba Local Government Area, Honourable Safiyanu said the competition is aimed at harnessing the untapped energy and passion of the youth, while promoting peaceful co-existence among participating teams.
“Sport is a unifying force, aside being a multi-billion dollar venture.
“Akwanga is centrally located in Nasarawa State, and when we talk of sporting activities, we are ranked very high.
“We are committed to creating opportunities for our young people, and sports is a key area where my administration can make a difference.
“I strongly believe that the proposed Chairman’s Cup Football Tournament will not only promote sports development in the Local Government Area, but also bring both our people and various communities together.
“So, we are planning to host this tournament involving the eleven electoral wards that make up the Local Government Area, with special focus on raw talents.
“I will be interfacing with the Committee, including people like you, Mr. Eche Amos, very soon, and God willing, the Akwanga Local Government Area Chairman’s Cup Football Tournament, 2026, will become a reality”, he said.
Safiyanu who also doubles as the Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Nasarawa State Chapter, added that he would use his office to draw the attention of his colleagues in other Local Government Areas to stage their own version of the Chairman’s Cup Football Tournament, to entrench peace, promote sports, develop talented athletes and the State.
Some notable sports icons, like Sunusi Ibrahim of CF Montréal Impact in the Major League Soccer(USA), Super Falcons of Nigeria and Washington Spirit midfielder in the National Women’s Soccer League in the USA, Deborah Abiodun, and former Nigerian junior international, Ahmed Abdullahi, who plies his trade with England-based Sunderland Football Club, were all discovered from grassroots football tournaments in Akwanga Local Government Area.
