Why We Are Sponsoring The Okwaraji U-16 Championship

Leading financial institution FirstBank of Nigeria has thrown its weight behind the maiden edition of the Samuel Okwaraji Under-16 Football Championship, underlining its commitment to youth development, grassroots football and education through sport.

The nationwide competition, organised in honour of late Nigerian football icon Samuel Okwaraji, is designed to celebrate his legacy of patriotism, discipline and selfless service while nurturing the next generation of football talent.

Announcing the sponsorship in Lagos yesterday, the bank highlighted its strategic intention to use school sports as a platform to empower young Nigerians academically and athletically.

The tournament will feature secondary schools from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, beginning with zonal qualifiers across the six geopolitical zones, culminating in a grand finale in Abuja, where 12 teams will compete for the title. Beyond football, the event will include cultural displays, memorial lectures and talent identification programmes involving national team scouts.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, said the initiative reflects the bank’s belief in football as a unifying force and a tool for national development.

“Football is the strongest unifier of Nigerians. It brings communities together, instils discipline and nurtures talent across the country,” Alebiosu said. “Our involvement in this championship represents a deliberate investment in grassroots football, creating opportunities for young players to discover, develop and maximise their potential, while also encouraging educational growth through structured school sports.”

He added that the programme is aimed at producing well-rounded individuals who can excel both on the pitch and in the classroom, thereby contributing meaningfully to society.

Chairman of the Organising Committee, Osita Izunaso, praised FirstBank for its intervention, describing it as a demonstration of corporate responsibility and national commitment.

“FirstBank’s legacy predates modern Nigerian football, and this sponsorship once again shows that true corporate leadership lies in nation-building,” Izunaso said. “We hope this will inspire other organisations to invest in young people and create opportunities for them to thrive through education and sport.”

The sponsorship is part of the bank’s broader First@Sports initiative, through which it has consistently supported sports development across Nigeria. The bank owns and manages the FirstBank FC, popularly known as the Elephant Boys, as well as the FirstBank Basketball Club, also referred to as the Elephant Girls.

Over the years, FirstBank has backed several major sporting events, including the National Sports Festival, the South-West Youth Games, the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship, the Lagos Amateur Golf Open Championship and the Georgian Polo Cup.

By sponsoring the Okwaraji U-16 Championship, the bank is reinforcing its long-standing commitment to youth empowerment, national unity and the development of future sporting talents through education-focused initiatives.