The Och’ Idoma, His Majesty, Dr. John Odogbo Elaigwu, has urged the new chairman of the Benue State Football Association (BSFA), Barrister Paul Edeh and his executive board members to work as a team if they must achieve their set goals.
The paramount of ruler of Idoma nation gave the advice when Mr Edeh and his BSFA’s board members visited him in his palace for royal blessings.
The royal father while congratulating the new BSFA board and assuring them of his support, reminded Mr Edeh and his board members that a tree will make a forest, and hence the need to work together as a team.
“A tree cannot make a forest. You all need to work together to achieve your set goals. As you have elected your chairman with one voice, always support his leadership to do well… Whatever you do now will determine what will be spoken about you in the future,” Och’ Idoma admonishes.
The traditional ruler also revealed his football passion while growing up. “I was a footballer while growing up just as my elder brother but we didn’t have anyone to train or guide us. Now, it’s no longer the situation. Young people should avoid all forms of vices and queue into opportunities that sports presents.
“We will continue to support football development and I urge everyone to also support this worthy course.”
The courtesy visit, according to the BSFA chairman, Mr Edeh, was in continuation of the board’s initial consultations and partnership drives with critical stakeholders within the state to ensure holistic engagement for sustained football development.
Edeh, a philanthropist and founder of Ratels Sports Development Funds (RSDF) said the core of the BSFA’s vision is massive development of the round-leather game at the grassroots as means of fostering peace and unity and positively engaging the youths on meaningful ventures.
He said, “In the past, most state FAs concentrate on the state capital when it comes to football development, but today Benue State FA has come to understand that, the little girl or boy in Ogbadigbo, Adigbo and other communities across the state can make it in various fields of endeavour, outside being doctors, lawyers, journalists etc.
“For instance, a football legend like Daniel Amokachi and indeed many others have made a whole lot of impacts using football. Infact, They are now models others, especially young ones look up to excel.
“We can restore those good old days when football use to attract so much attention in our communities and various localities and that is why we as FA board are very intentional in creating pathways for us to fish out talents that will make Benue and Nigeria proud. Therefore, we came to seek the guidance of his Royal Majesty so we can move football development forward.”
The new leadership of BSFA elected on June 17, 2023, had last week visited the Paramount Ruler of Tiv Nation and Chairman of Benue State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, Tor Tiv at his Palace in Gboko.
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