Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, was on top of his game on Saturday afternoon, 3rd September, 2022, as he led the State’s Executive Team to a 1-0 victory over hard-fighting Lawmakers from the State in a novelty football match decided at the Federal University football field, Lafia.
After sighting an infringement in the eighteen yard box in the first-half, centre referee for the game and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Football Association, Alh. Alkali Mohammed, instantly pointed to the spot for a penalty.
Governor Sule who captained his side summoned the courage and superbly placed the ball beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper.
The Lawmakers captained by the immediate-past Governor of the State and serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Umar Tanko Al-Makura(Nasarawa South), weathered the storm and made frantic efforts to draw level at several occasions.
He was however kept-in-view through the resilience of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa, and that of Information, Culture and Tourism, Yakubu Mohammed Lawal, as well as other members of the Executive squad.
The State’s Executive Team jealously guarded the scoreline till the final whistle as the Governor was named Man-of-the-Match for his spectacular showing which caused series of threat against the legislators.
Organiser of the event and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports Affairs, Comr. Hamza Ibrahim Moyi, shortly after the game, told journalists the motive behind staging the event.
“The reason I organised this novelty football match is to appreciate the Governor for creating a peaceful, united and enabling environment through sporting activities in the State.
“It’s a general belief that football unifies people from all walks of life. It fosters the spirit of togetherness, patriotism, hard work and forgiveness among people of different classes in the society.
“I decided to make it a novelty match between the Executives versus Legislators in order to enhance a more peaceful, workable and harmonious relationship in Nasarawa State.
“I feel happy that my team won. The Governor is not just a sports lover, he equally plays and gets involved in sporting activities and his performance today was top-class.”
Earlier, a novelty match involving players of Nasarawa Amazons FC on the same venue had ended in a goalless stalemate.
The event witnessed large turnout of political stalwarts and sports stakeholders from across the State, including Chairman of Nasarawa United FC, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, together with his counterpart from Nasarawa Amazons, Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman Nagogo.
High point of the novelty match was the presentation of a giant trophy to the victorious State Executive Team.
/Eche Amos
