NPFL22: Pillar of Sports drum support for Kwara Utd ahead of new season, commends Gov. AbdulRazaq

The new Kwara Pillar of Sports, Prince Oladimeji Thompson, has called on soccer fans and enthusiasts in the state to get behind their darling team, Kwara United FC when they play host to Dakkada FC on Sunday and throughout the season.

Thompson made the call in a statement he personally signed on Friday in Ilorin, ahead of the commencement of the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. 

The Kwara Pillar of Sports, who had previously managed the team urged football lovers to always get behind the team whenever they are playing, adding their support and chanting can turn around their performance on the pitch.

"I want us to know that everyday is not Christmas, so the team will not perform same way in every of their matches.

"On a day they are not performing well is when they need all of us the most to sing for them to raise their play.

"Abusing them when the day is already tough will only add salt to injury which we don't want.

"So, I am using this my statement to appeal to all soccer enthusiasts in the state to always stay solidly behind the team at all times" Thompson said.

Thompson in the statement, also commended the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his swift response to the banning of the Kwara Stadium Complex from hosting matches in the new season.

He said the Governor showed his leadership qualities by ensuring the stadium gets a face-lift within the shortest period of time to get League Management Company's (LMC), provisional approval to host Kwara United’s home games.

Thompson also commended the Executive Chairman of Kwara State Sports Commission, Malam Bola Mogaji, the FA Chairman, Malam Idris Musa and the management of Kwara United for working hard to get the stadium ready for the new season.

Insecurity: Nigeria Pillar of Sports takes 'Engage the Youths with Sports' campaign to Etsu Nupe

 

Nigeria Pillar of sports Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike on Sunday took his National message to curb insecurity  campaign in Nigeria through sports to the palace of his royal highness the Etsu Nupe Alh. Dr. Yahaya Abubakar (CFR) in Bida Niger state. 

Chief Ejidike who was on a courtesy visit to the Etsu Nupe said traditional rulers have a crucial role to play in arresting the rate of security challenges in the country.

 He  called on the Etsu Nupe to partner with the office of the Nigeria Pillar of sports to use sporting activities to engage the youths meaningfully. 

The Nigeria Pillar of sports commended the traditional ruler for his leadership qualities in governing the entire Nupe  kingdom and assured him of maximum cooperation from his office to boost sports development in his domain. 

In his response, the Etsu Nupe who doubles as the Chairman of the Niger state council of traditional rulers commended the Nigeria Pillar of sports for his role in sports development across the country stressing that government alone cannot develop youths and sports without the cooperation of individuals and corporate bodies.

He said the Bida Emirate council would collaborate with the office of the Nigeria Pillar of sports to explore ways of positive engagement of the youths to curb insecurity and illicit behaviors amongst them.

Highlights of the visit included the presentation of souvenirs by the office of the Nigeria Pillar of sports as well as royal blessings,  prayers and traditional gifts from the Etsu Nupe to the visitors.

'Use sports to curb insecurity - Pillar of Sports urges traditional rulers

Nigeria Pillar Of Sports Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike has urged Traditional Rulers across the country to use Sports as a veritable tool to fight against the growing rate of insecurity in the Country.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on the Traditional ruler of Nanka kingdom in Anambra His Royal Highness Igwe Godwin Ogochukwu Ezeilo ( Obu Nanka) , Chief Ejidike said Sports remain a platform to meaningfully engage the Youths .

According to him "Nigeria today is no longer safe, simply because vast majority of our young Youths are not gainfully engaged and employed, Sports remain a veritable platform to accommodate these teeming youths" , he said.

The Pillar Of Sports added that " I feel tremendously happy that a Traditional Rulers like Igwe Nanka has shown the way by sponsoring the inaugural edition of YSFON/Igwe Nanka U-17 tournament  , I therefore urged other Traditional Rulers to emulate him and use Sports to engage the Youths in their various domain"

He assured that the office of the Nigeria Pillar Of Sports is ever ready to partner with Traditional institutions, corporate bodies and well meaning Nigerians who wish to promote Youths and Sports Development. 

Chief Ejidike was the special guest of honour at the grand finale of the Igwe Nanka football tournament at NEROS stadium in Nanka organised by YSFON in Anambra state.