By Amaechi Agbo

In a grand celebration of service and solidarity, a close ally and kinsman of the Governor Abdullahi Sule’s Special Adviser, Governor’s Office, Hon. Muhammad Abubakar, hosted a high-stakes novelty football match on Friday afternoon to commemorate the Special Adviser’s birthday anniversary and to honour his outstanding impact on lives and society, particularly empowerments to vulnerable people, facilitation of the release of 13 inmates from the Keffi Medium Custodial Centre(Keffi Prison), securing job slots to unemployed persons, among others.

The keenly contested encounter between the Nasarawa State’s Veterans’ Football Foundation Team versus Akwanga All Stars FC drew a massive crowd of sports enthusiasts, family members, loved ones, political and social associates, as well as well-wishers to the Lafia City Stadium, venue of the match.

In a pulsating display of skill and nostalgia, the Akwanga All Stars miraculously recovered from a 2-0 first-half deficit to beat the State Veterans 2-3, in a match that blended competitive spirit with camaraderie.

Speakers at event, including Chairman of the Nasarawa State Veterans’ Football Foundation, Sadiq Hassan ‘Okoye’, retired Director of Information, Nasarawa State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Danmusa Mohammed(Patron, Akwanga All Stars FC), and Assistant Secretary of the Veterans Football Foundation cum Chairman of Akwanga All Stars, Eche Amos, eulogized Hon. Muhammad Abubakar for his selfless service, philanthropy, and commitment to societal growth, describing the novelty match as a fitting tribute to a leader whose influence transcends political and  religious differences.

They briefed the Special Adviser of the participation of the Nasarawa State Veterans’ Football team at the forthcoming North Central Zonal Veterans’ Football Tournament to hold from 24th-30th September in Jos, Plateau State, this year, assuring of winning the tournament for Governor Abdullahi Sule and good people of the State.

The officials equally notified Hon. Muhammad of plans to host a state-wide All Stars’ Football Tournament to galvanize support for the Senatorial and Governorship ambitions of His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule for Nasarawa Northern Zone, and Distinguished Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu as Governor in 2027.

In a magnanimous gesture, the celebrant, Muhammad Abubakar, supported the Organizers of his birthday novelty football match in Lafia with the sum of Two Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira(N2,200,000.00) to further the State’s Veterans’ preparations for the North Central Zonal Veterans’ Football Tournament slated for this September, and to boost their morale to lift the trophy.

In his remarks, the birthday celebrant, Muhammad Abubakar, who performed the match’s ceremonial kick-off, said he felt honoured for the rare recognition, and commended the Organizer of the match, Mr. Eche Amos, for birthing the noble idea.

“I feel truly honoured to be here to play together and celebrate with me on my birthday.

“My tribe’s brother and friend, Eche Amos, actually called me on Tuesday and told me what he is planning to do to celebrate my birthday. I wanted rejecting the offer, but he said no, and because I hold him in very high esteem, I accepted his insistence, because, indeed, the veterans are those who truly love the State and made many sacrifices for the present and future generations of sports men and women.

“Thank you for leaving everything you are supposed to do be doing elsewhere just to come and celebrate with me.

“Also, thank you so immensely for the respect and high regards you have for my brother and friend, Eche Amos, without which you wouldn’t have been here from your various locations across the State.

“I hold this gesture you have done for me greatly and dearly to my heart, and may the good Lord continue to be with us, even as you are celebrating with me today, you will also be celebrated accordingly.

“May we all live long to achieve our purposes here on earth.

“The State Government will continue to do its best for the benefit of the people and State at large, including the Veterans’ team members.

“May Allah be with you as you prepare for the North Central Zonal Veterans’ Football Tournament in Jos, Plateau State. I will be there with you in spirit.

“For the tournament in Jos, I will support you with the token of Two Million Naira, with the hope of doing more, should there be any further assistance”, the Special Adviser stated.

Highlights of the event were the cutting of the birthday cake, popping of wine, and presentation of a customized Nasarawa State Veterans’ Football Foundation official jersey to the Governor’s Aide, while unveiling him as Patron of the Organization.