It was a beehive of activities as the new leadership of All Stars Football Club, Akwanga, was inaugurated at Kur-su Hotel, Akwanga, Nasarawa State, on Saturday, 24th September, 2022.
A pre-inauguration football match between All Stars FC of Akwanga versus Social Sport Club of Lafia had ended 2-4 in favour of the visiting Lafia-based side in the morning at Central Pilot Primary School Football Field with hundreds of participants and spectators in attendance.
Members of the new leadership were sworn-in after being administered Oath-of-Office by Barr. Viko Iyadah John later in the afternoon amidst great sports stakeholders and dignitaries.
The new leadership which will serve a tenure of three years include Eche Amos(Chairman), Adamu Aliyu (Vice Chairman), Obadiah Alaku Namo(Secretary), Magaji Lohkur(Financial Secretary), Williams Audu Sidi(Treasurer), Lanky Murtala Danjuma(Welfare Officer) and Yakubu John(P.R.O.).
In his post-inauguration speech, Eche Amos said it was a new and positive dawn for the Club, promising to take it to an enviable height, calling on members to support the new leadership to succeed.
“Thank you all for entrusting us with the task of leading you even though we are not the best among you.
“I also thank all those who continue to support and encourage us, especially the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule.
“Just like no election should be underrated, we are equally not taking this confidence reposed in us for granted.
“We will give our all through various innovations for the growth and development of this great Club and make it the envy of the society.
“However, we can’t do this alone. We need your support to be able to actualize our aspirations.”
In their separate goodwill messages, some of the invited dignitaries congratulated the new executives and charged them to live above board.
Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa, accompanied by his wife, Mary Yargwa, apologized for attending the occasion late, citing cluster of activities as reason.
He, nonetheless, applauded the Electoral Committee for conducting a free, fair and transparent election and ensuring a seamless transition, pledging the unalloyed support of his Ministry to the new leadership.
“Congratulations to the new leadership. This is a time to prove to your people and the world what you can do, more so that the All Stars, all over, is a very powerful organization with people with impeccable track records both in football and other endeavours.
“No leadership is too small because if you are able to handle a little task, you can be entrusted with a bigger one.
“I and the society have no doubt on the ability of your Chairman, Mr. Eche, who is our Staff at the Ministry. He has proven his worth in various higher responsibilities, and I think he will do more than that here.
“As a Ministry, our doors are always open to your needs. Let’s establish a strong working relationship to meet each of our goals and those of the current administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule, especially as we head to the polls in 2023.”
Chairman of Nasarawa State Football Association and Nationwide League One, Alh. Alkali Mohammed, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Haladu Akwashiki, heaped praises on the Akwanga All Stars for exhibiting an uncommon spirit of sportsmanship and maturity.
He said as an affiliate of the State Football Association, the Alkali-led Board would continue to provide enabling environment for the All Stars in Akwanga to thrive.
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Sports Affairs, Comr. Hamza Ibrahim Moyi, noted that he was not in doubt on what the new leadership would achieve before the end of their tenure, urging them to work as a team and carry every member of the club along.
CEO of third-tier league side, Basira FC, Salisu Galadima (Basira) disclosed that he was proud of the combination of the new leadership, adding that he would lend the new EXCO all the needed support to succeed.
International players’ Manager, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed(Coach Bros, Jos), represented by Coach Stephen Moga of Nasarawa United FC, pledged to support the new leadership of the All Stars in anyway possible, praying God to grant them the knowledge, wisdom and understanding to attain their goals.
2023 Senatorial Candidate in Nasarawa Northern Zone, and Youth President, Mada Development Association, John Kyuni Umaru, explained that he would work in synergy with the new EXCO by galvarnizing the needed resources for them to attain their vision and mission.
Chairman, Nasarawa State Players’ Union, Jibrin Ali Baggio, who was also recently inaugurated as Chairman, Supporters’ Club, Nasarawa United FC, prayed for the new executives to succeed in the tasks before them.
Other dignitaries present at the Inauguration were Mallam Umar Abubakar(Director, Youth Development, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development), Ibrahim Yahaya Sabo ‘Bagu'(Assistant Coach, Nasarawa United FC), Sadiq Hassan ‘Okoye'(Chairman, Nasarawa State Veterans’ Football Association), Ibrahim Ibrahim(Government House Press, Lafia), Sharhabilu Haruna(Government House Press, Lafia), Augustine Malachi Stephen(CEO, Eloka Devasco Nigeria Limited), Attahiru Dokajin Azara, Hon. Abdullahi Massalaci(SA, Political to Governor Abdullahi Sule), Ishaq Jibrin(FA Chairman, Akwanga Local Government Area), and Coach Toks Adeoye.
The All Stars is a body of retired, non-active professional, semi-professional or international footballers who come together to keep fit, maintain social cohesion and lend their support to the growth and development of the round leather game in their host community and beyond.
