Unity: FCT Monarch urges youth, stakeholders to embrace sport

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Ona of Abaji and chairman FCT council of Chiefs, HRM Adamu Baba Yunusa has called on youth and other stakeholders to support the traditional rulers to curb restiveness and other threats to peace and unity in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

This, Yunusa, said can be attained through active participation in sport and other meaningful ventures.

He noted that if there are no useful ventures for the youth to engage themselves in, they will always ignite violence in their respective domains.

He made this position known during the grand finale of Adedayo Benjamins -Lanyini (ABL) Unity championship maiden edition, held in Abuja National Stadium, at the weekend.

According to him, the traditional rulers have endorsed the ABL Unity football championship for the good of all residents.

Ona of Abaji, who was represented by Mi-Wako Abdulaziz Usman, said the monarchs are committed to ventures that will promote peace and unity of Abuja residents.

Yunusa noted that the traditional rulers are excited with the Adedayo’s initiative and would continue to provide the enabling environment that will sustain the project across the Federal Capital Territory.

However, at the end of the grand finale, Legend FC of Abuja Municipal Area Council defeated Maracana FC of Kwali 2-1 to lift the maiden Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi FCT unity football championship.

Convener of the championship Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, explained that the competition was organised to foster unity and discover grassroots talent scattered across the FCT.

Also, the media entrepreneur and former All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant for FCT, said sports could serve as a veritable tool for empowering Nigerian youth and promoting unity in the country.

She said: “This inaugural competition is meant to engage our youth and promote unity in the country, starting with FCT.

“If there is no unity, there cannot be a nation. So, we are trying to use sports to bring about positive change, get our youths off the streets, and build a great nation.”

Benjamins-Laniyi, said ex-international players such as Kanu Nwankwo and Femi Ajilore were selected as ambassadors of the competition to give inspiration and mentorship to young talents discovered at the competition

As expected, the grand finale event, which signaled the end of a month-long competition among teams from the six area councils of the FCT, started early July.

Kelechi Francis of Legend FC opened scoring in the 38 minutes of first half before Sheriff Idris of Maracana FC restored parity for the Kwali boys on resumption of the second half in the 47 minutes.

Francis, sealed victory for the Legend boys with a clean finish in the 52nd minute, to ensure a 2-1 victory for Legend FC.

Earlier in the third place match, Kickers FC defeated N-Youth FC 5-4 on penalties, after regulation time ended 2-2.