By Amaechi Agbo

A former President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdulahi has commended the leadership acumen so far displayed by the FCT Football Association Chairman, Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed

Mr Lulu gave the commendation Thursday when he led a delegation of Fosla Football Club, FFC on a courtesy visit to the chairman in his office.

Mr Lulu who is the sponsor of the club during the visit said that the leadership prowess shown by the chairman in his short time in the office is a testament of great things to come in FCT football.

He extolled the pragmatic leadership style the football administrator has brought to bear in the FA and advised him not to take his eyes of the target.

Lulu who was a one time Director of Sports in the FCT Sports Council commended Mouktar for his ingenuity, gigantic and purposeful steps in turning around and revitalising football in the FCT.

On the purpose of the visit, Mr Lulu who contested for the governorship ticket of the All Progress Congress APC in Kogi State last year, said the delegation was at the FCT FA Secretariat to formaly introduce the club to the new chairman and his board and seek for his blessings.

Lulu also used to opportunity to inform ‘the father of football in the FCT’ of the team’s participation in the 2020 Nationwide League One, NLO season.

“I want to first and foremost start on a note of appreciation because when we made the request for this visit, My Chairman, we were not expecting to meet you due to your tight engagements. But we are highly delighted to know on arrival here at the secretariat that you are not only around but also gave directive on where the meeting should hold. I want to commend you, sir.

“I also want to, without mincing words, commend your leadership sagacity in revamping football in the state. I have followed your programmes and have seen that you do not only have the passion for this game but the willing heart to work. Your innovative ideas and capacity to do what you have done within a short time is a testament of great things to come in FCT football. I thank you.

“My Chairman, we came here not as a delegation but a family. We came here today (Thursday) to formerly inform you about our project at Fosla Academy and our new club, Fosla Football Club, FFC.

“The club which was registered in 2018 also took part in that year’s FCT FA League and they came second. The club was unveiled on September 24, my chairman, on October 10th, they played the opening match of the 2018 FCT league and won by 3-0.

“This Club, with all the players 100% undergraduates and former students of our academy, Fosla Academy, are all studying various courses at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

“Having seen our projections and in line with our programmes and plans, we now felt the time is ripe for us to take a step further by registering the club for the 2020 Nationwide League One, NLO.

“We believe that the time is due for us to seek another challenge and to also keep the players busy while they are studying in the University. We are not going in the league because we have the financial muscle but we are taking up the challenge as a result of serious and committed yearnings by the players and their technical crew led by one of your board members and head of Technical Committee, Coach Samuel Abimbola for this to be done and I had no option, than to key in.

“My Chairman, sir, it is in view of this that we decided to come today to officially present this new club and project to you as the father of football in our state, FCT,” Lulu said.

Responding, the FCT FA boss, Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed extolled the various virtues exemplified by the former NFF President and described him as the mirror of football in Nigeria.

Mr Mouktar who said that Lulu’s leadership of football in Nigeria brought so much success stories commended him for given back to the society through Fosla Academy where 90 percent of the students are on schorship, courtesy of the proprietor, Alhaji Sani Lulu.

The visibly elated Mouktar said that he had no fear in his mind what Folsa Football Club, FFC can do in future considering that the club is a product of diligence, forthrightness, commitment and transparency.

“I must say, sir, that today is the happiest day of my life as the Chairman of FCT Football Association. I am not just happy because of the visit but I am deeply delighted by the honour you have done me today and what you represent in Nigeria football. I thank you, sir.

“I have seen the great work you are doing and I will say it without contradiction that you remain the only past and present president of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF who decided to give back to the society. Who decided to recognise what the society did for you and the need to appreciate them. You are doing a noble job in Fosla Academy and having followed you for ages, I will say with certainty that I am not surprised that you have added a club to your series of achievements and projects.

“As a board, I want to assure you of our unwavering support at all times. Fosla Football Club is not your property alone, today henceforth, it has become the property of FCT FA board. We will give FFC the moral, financial and political support needed for it to excel in the league and in any other endeavours. With FFC I see a bright future in our football. Coming from a man with impeccable virtues who have seen all and done all for the football game, we are happy to be associated with this project. You can count on our support everyday,” he said.

Present at the visit are: Alhaji Sani Lulu, Sponsor FFC; Tajudeen Tiamiyu, FFC Chairman; Alhaji Suleiman Yusuf, PA to Lulu; Chuks Ijeoma, MFR; Mrs Josephine Ebhodeghe, Principal, Fosla Academy; Ibrahim Lawal, FFC Team Manager; Godspower Mary, Coach Fosla Academy, female team; Mansur Abdulahi, (former Falconets coach) and Ifeanyi Ubah, FFC assistant coach.

On the part of the FA are: Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed, FCT FA Chairman; Samuel Abimbola, Board member (FFC coach); Ngozi Eze, Board member; Haruna Usman, Secretary and Raphael Agetu.