The Nasarawa State Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, has called for improved support for the State-owned male football Club, Nasarawa United, to enable them qualify for the Nigeria Premier Football League, next season.
At a meeting called at the instance of the Permanent Secretary, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, and held at the Board Room of the Organisation on Monday in Lafia, the Permanent Secretary appreciated the Jibrin Ali Baggio-led Supporters’ Club for their unwavering support to players and Management of the Solid Miners, urging them to sustain the tempo until the Club returns to the top-flight.
He also urged members of the Supporters’ Club to continue with the support they accord NPFL side, Lobi Stars, who have adopted the Lafia City Stadium as their home ground this season
Danladi, however, observed that the incident that occurred at the weekend in the match-day 14 game between Lobi Stars versus Doma United was not acceptable to the Nasarawa State Government and the people of the State.
The Permanent Secretary said the incident was an indication that there was a crack in the leadership of the Supporters’ Club which almost marred the total support for the “Yes Father Boys” as Lobi Stars are nicknamed, on Sunday.
He reiterated that both the Government and people of Nasarawa State are solidly behind Lobi Stars just as they share the same gesture to Nasarawa State and Nasarawa United, a yardstick that propelled the adoption of the Lafia City Stadium as make-shift home venue by the Makurdi-based side for the 2023/24 NPFL Season.
“Ab initio, the rationale behind Lobi Stars adopting the Lafia City Stadium as their alternative home ground for the 2023/24 NPFL Season followed an extensive camaraderie between Governor Abdullahi Sule and his Benue State counterpart, His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and the shared brotherhood between Nasarawa and Benue States.
“Also, I have enjoyed a healthy working relationship with the Vice Chairman and CEO of Lobi Stars, Dominic Iorfa, and it’s the utmost expectation of the Nasarawa State Government and people and the Government and people of Benue State to see both Nasarawa United gain promotion back to the premier league and Lobi Stars win the league title, respectively, and play continental football at their make-shift home ground as it would both be to our collective benefits.
“Therefore, we are calling on the leadership of the Supporters’ Club to control her members in order not to forment any problems capable of disuniting the fraternity or bringing the league to disrepute as Nasarawa State is known for peace, hospitality and harmonious co-existence, irrespective of any differences.
Danladi also advised the leadership of the Supporters’ Club to be transparent in all their dealings with their members to avoid creating suspicion.
On his part, Chairman, Nasarawa United Football Supporters’ Club, Jibrin Ali Baggio, apologized for the ugly incident that occurred at the Stadium during last Sunday’s NPFL match-day 14 game, and promised to restore decorum and discipline in his team for better output in subsequent games.
Directors of the Ministry also partook in the meeting.
Eche Amos (Fellow, CBS),
PRO, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
