By Mathias Iyaha
Benue State government under the leadership of Governor Samuel Ortom is to continue to create job opportunities for youths of the state through sports and other noble ventures, to enable them maximize their talents.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Terver Akase stated this Tuesday 8th November 2022 at LGEA Primary School Iorkighir, Tse-Agberagba in Konshisha Local Government Area where he witnessed a friendly match between Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi and a selected team of Konshisha based footballers.
Mr Akase said the present administration has supported youths of the state to excel in their chosen sporting careers and will continue to do more in that regard, stating that his principal Governor Samuel Ortom understands the importance of sports especially football which is capable of providing jobs for youths where they can earn a living and be useful to themselves and the society.
He appreciated the management of Lobi Stars for choosing Konshisha as one of the places for the team’s pre-season tour and talent hunt, saying it was an honour done the people of the area and charged players of the home team to give their best performance as they had a chance to be selected to play in the professional league.
Mr Akase who is himself a lover of the round leather game commended the management of the team for the initiative and said it would go a long way in helping the club to identify new talents as well as draw greater support for the club from sports loving people of the state.
Read Also: 2023: Benue People Want Titus Uba As Governor – Akase
He added that the state government would continue to support the management of Lobi Stars to continue to excel as it is the only team in the state that is playing in the Nigerian Professional Football League.
Also speaking, Executive Chairman, Konshisha Local Government Area, Mrs Christiana Amile expressed appreciation to the management of Lobi Stars for choosing to come to the local government for scouting and pre-season activities. She said by the act, the club had given the youths of the area an opportunity to showcase their talents as well as contribute their quota to the development of sports in the state and country at large.
Mrs Amile stated that the people of the area are lovers of sports and had produced good sports men and women in the past. She therefore called on the state government to consider building a football stadium in Tse-Agberagba, headquarters of the local government.
Responding, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lobi Stars FC, Dominic Iorfa said the team was in the area in continuation of its pre-season tour and scouting to enable the team identify and harness talents as well as prepare the team ahead of the new season.
Mr Iorfa thanked the people of Konshisha for the warm reception given the team and charged the home team to play well as the best amongst them would be picked to play for Lobi Stars and even international football teams. He acknowledged the support of the state government and Mr Akase to the success of the team at all times.
The team was later hosted to a dinner at the St. Gabriels Catholic Church Tse-Agberagba where the Parish Priest, Reverend Emmanuel Doki also offered prayers for the management and players of Lobi Stars FC while Captain of the team Daniel Asaka on behalf of the players thanked the people of the area for according the team a warm reception.
The match ended four goals to nothing in favour of Lobi Stars FC while Kumaga Suur of Konshisha Select was identified by team handlers of Lobi Stars to join the club.
PDP flag bearer for Vandeikya/Konshisha federal constituency Julius Atorough and Konshisha State Constituency Bem Agile sent goodwill messages.
The game attracted a large number of spectators while a Benue-born sports journalist with Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Linus Hagher and a retired footballer Paul Zang thrilled the fans with football commentaries in Tiv and English languages.
