Benue FA Backs Gusau for second term as NFF President, Honours Alia, Shaibu

The Annual General Meeting of the Benue State Football Association (BSFA) on Friday evolved beyond its statutory agenda into a celebration of leadership, institutional partnerships and the future of Nigerian football as the Association conferred its prestigious Chairman’s Honours Award on the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON, and His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, former Deputy Governor of Edo State and Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS).

The event, attended by football administrators, delegates and stakeholders from across Benue State, later culminated in a unanimous endorsement of Gusau for a second term as President of the Nigeria Football Federation by Chairmen of the Football Associations in the North Central geopolitical zone, making the AGM one of the most significant football gatherings in the region this year.

The BSFA Chairman’s Honours Award is the Association’s highest recognition, reserved for individuals and institutions whose leadership, service and support have made a measurable contribution to football development in Benue State and Nigeria.

Presenting the awards, the Chairman of the Benue State Football Association, Chief Dr. Paul Edeh, FCPA, said the growth of football depends not only on good administration but also on visionary leadership, purposeful investment and enduring partnerships.

“Football cannot grow in isolation. Every milestone we have recorded has been made possible by leaders and partners who believe that investing in sports is ultimately an investment in young people. These honours are our modest way of appreciating those whose actions continue to strengthen the foundation of football in Benue State and Nigeria,” he said.

Governor Alia received the Association’s highest honour in recognition of his commitment to youth development and his administration’s growing investment in sports infrastructure. The Association noted that the ongoing remodelling of the historic McCarthy Stadium in Makurdi and the Aper Aku Stadium represents one of the most significant public investments in sports infrastructure in recent years. Delegates observed that, upon completion, the projects are expected to restore Benue’s capacity to host major football competitions, stimulate grassroots talent development and create new opportunities for young people across the state.

For Gusau, the honour reflected what stakeholders described as a defining period in the administration of Nigerian football. Since assuming office in 2022, he has overseen reforms aimed at strengthening football governance, including the successful amendment of the NFF Statutes for the first time in sixteen years, broader engagement with stakeholders and stronger collaboration with state football associations. Benue occupies a special place in that relationship, being the first state Gusau visited on official assignment after assuming office as NFF President. He has since returned on several occasions, reinforcing what stakeholders described as a genuine commitment to grassroots football and institutional development.

The recognition of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, former Deputy Governor of Edo State and Director General of the National Institute for Sports, underscored the increasing importance of technical education in football development. Since assuming office, Shaibu has placed renewed emphasis on coaching education, technical certification and human capital development. The Association recalled that nearly thirty coaches from Benue State have already undergone specialised training at the National Institute for Sports through the sponsorship of the BSFA Chairman. It further disclosed that the Institute has recently accepted to partner with the Benue State Football Association to organise coaching development programmes in Benue State, a collaboration expected to expand access to quality technical education and strengthen the capacity of coaches across the state.

Also honoured was the Member of the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation representing the North Central Zone, Rt. Hon. Chief Margaret Icheen, whose citation recognised her pioneering leadership and sustained contributions to football administration and development in Benue State and Nigeria.

The Association equally recognised its Secretary, Dr. Iorngulum Malu Akuraan, for exemplary service, professionalism and invaluable contributions to football administration in the state. The announcement attracted prolonged applause from delegates, many of whom described the recognition as a fitting acknowledgement of years of dedicated service behind the scenes.

The private sector was also recognised for its contributions to the game. The President of Flight Transport Limited, Comrade Chief Akor Andiir, received the award for his consistent support for sports and grassroots football development in Benue State, while the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BATOHA Resort, Arc. Apeh Harrison Iwodi, was honoured for his generous support and valued partnership in advancing football in the state.

If the awards celebrated distinguished service, the closing moments of the AGM focused firmly on the future of Nigerian football. Chairmen of the Football Associations from across the North Central geopolitical zone took turns to commend Gusau’s leadership, describing his administration as one that has strengthened confidence among stakeholders and deepened cooperation between the Federation and its member associations.

In a unanimous resolution, the Chairmen endorsed Gusau for a second term as President of the Nigeria Football Federation and pledged to jointly purchase his nomination form ahead of the forthcoming NFF presidential election. The announcement drew sustained applause from delegates and underscored the confidence the region has reposed in his leadership.

By the time proceedings came to a close, the BSFA Annual General Meeting had become more than a statutory gathering. It had evolved into a platform for recognising impactful leadership, celebrating meaningful partnerships and projecting Benue State’s growing influence in shaping the future of Nigerian football.