The Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, on Thursday, 16th March, 2023, hosted members of the All Stars Football Club, Akwanga, who were at the Government House, Lafia, for a courtesy visit.
The team was joined by ex-professionals and internationals of Nasarawa State extraction.
In his address, Governor Sule said he was delighted with the team for the visit.
“My dear friend and leader of this delegation who is also the Chairman of Akwanga All Stars, Mr. Eche Amos, and other members of the visiting team, let me thank you for taking your time to visit me.
“Actually, I am supposed to be in Akwanga now for a zonal stakeholders’ meeting before going to my Gudi village in preparation for the elections as today is the last day for our campaign.
“When the leader of your delegation sent me a message yesterday(Wednesday) that he wanted to see me with a group of people, I didn’t know how to say no, so I had to say yes to his request.
“Thank you greatly for endorsing me as the Grand Patron of All Stars FC of Akwanga.
“I see sport as an avenue of creating the unity that we are always looking for, and it’s up to people like you to go around using sports to preach peaceful coexistence because sport doesn’t segregate nor show differences.
“Equally, too, I know a lot of you have been campaigning for us. We mean well for Nasarawa State, not only in sports but for the development of the State as a whole.
“Also, I must sincerely commend the ex-players for your patience and understanding.
“I understand some of you have worked but your benefits have not been paid which is unusual of the State.
“When we came on board, we had to address every indemnity owed by previous administrations, beginning from 2007 and we paid them one after another.
“You have worked and needed to be paid because I have worked all my life and have been paid all my life, and we are not passing the buck to anybody because Government is a continuous process.
“If you have been failed by previous administrations, we can’t fail you because if we do that, then there will be no hope.
“So, I have seen your request and I have sent it to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for the right thing to be done.
“Believe me, we will do whatever we can to pay off all your entitlements.”
Ahead of Saturday’s Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections, the Governor cautioned against inciting statements and acts that could jeopardise the sanctity of the State and her citizens, calling on electorates to exercise their franchise in peace.
“Our State is on fire now because some people, for the love of politics, have already started dividing our people by bringing religion and ethnicity into politics. This is sad and unfortunate, but it is not unusual in a society like Nigeria.
“We are not desperate for position and that’s why we remind them that power comes from God and only Him can give it to whomever He wants and nobody can do anything about it.
“For me, I believe in putting in my best and when I do that, then I am satisfied with whatever is the outcome.
“We won’t allow anybody to import thugs into the State.
“If we have thugs in the State, our aim is to turn them into productive citizens through the establishment of Technical Schools, train people to become independent, create opportunities for young people to get soft loans and create wealth and become self-reliant.
“I hope and pray that you will persevere in your path, and work towards a peaceful and successful election.”
Speaking earlier, leader of the delegation and Chairman of All Stars FC of Akwanga, Eche Amos, he said the visit was to confer on the Governor the title of Grand Patron of the All Stars, endorse his candidature ahead of the Governorship election and equally thank him for his giant feats in the areas of youth and sports development as well as other areas of endeavours in the State.
He highlighted some areas the Governor would assist the Akwanga All Stars and ex-players to meet their needs.
Eche said the All Stars and ex-players would continue to rally round the administration of the Governor to exceed all expectations.
Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, alongside State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. John Mamman, and Director General of Governor Abdullahi Sule Campaign Council, Barr. Tanimu Adapson, attended the meeting.
Decoration of the Governor with the Grand Patron insignia and presentation of customised All Stars FC souvenir jerseys and face caps formed parts of the high-points of the visit.
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