Member representing Chanchaga Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar Buba (Mallam Cashier), has donated the sum of ₦1.8 million to six clubs under his constituency, which were representing the state in the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO).
Presenting the cash that was meant for the registration of the clubs for the 2024 league, the Senior Legislative Aide, who is also the legal adviser to the Honourable Member, Barr. Usman Mohammed Auta, disclosed that the move to assist the clubs was initiated by the NLO coordinator in the state, Mallam Tanko Bawa Mayaki.
He explained that in less than a week, Hon. Abdullahi Buba gave approval for each of the six clubs to be given ₦300,000, totaling ₦1.8m, hence the reason we were gathered to present the money in cash to the six benefiting clubs.
Barr. Auta reassured all of the commitment of his principal towards giving good representation and providing dividends of democracy to his constituents, adding that more clubs under Chanchaga constituency will also benefit from similar gesture.
Comrade Barau Awaisu Kuta, who represented the Niger State Football Association (NSFA) at the event that took place at the U.K. Bello Art Theatre in Minna on Thursday, said it was a happy moment for the state FA.
He observed that football is a tool that can be use for political aspiration by every politician, because football is for the youths and the youths form the larger part of the electorate, which if well utilize can bring success to any politician in his aspiration.
Comrade Barau Awaisu disclosed that the state FA is in support of any individual or organisation that is assisting in the development of the round leather game in the state and conveyed the appreciation of the state FA to Hon. Abdullahi Buba for the gesture towards football development in his constituency.
Similarly, the Secretary of the State Football Coaches Association, who spoke on behalf of the benefiting clubs, Comrade Mohammed Aliyu Etsu, appreciated the honourable member for the gesture and promised that they would reciprocate when the time came, urging the benefiting clubs to make judicious use of the money and give a good account of themselves during the championship.
Earlier in their separate remarks, the state coordinator of NLO, Mallam Tanko Bawa Mayaki, and the chairman of Niger State Nationwide League Clubs, Comrade Adamu Sani Osmond, said it was a historic moment given the fact that no national or state assembly member in the state has ever extended such a gesture to NLO clubs in their constituency.
While appreciating the lawmaker for the gesture, they equally promised to support his political activities, adding that it was a gesture worthy of commendation and emulation by other politicians in the state.
The Chairman of Giant Football Academy, Ibrahim Adegbola Adeshola, received the money on behalf of the benefiting clubs, which was immediately disbursed to the officials of the clubs who were on the ground at the event, under the supervision of the Secretary of the State Football Coaches Association, Comrade Aliyu Etsu.