- Nasarawa Speaker tasks youth to engage in positive ventures
From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The inaugural Eggon East Peace Cup Football Finals concluded yesterday at the RCM Playground in Nasarawa Eggon, with the Mountain Riders of Nasarawa Eggon emerging victorious over the Gale Ward football team in a thrilling penalty shootout. After a tense 90 minutes of regular time ended in a draw, the Mountain Riders secured their win with a 4-2 victory on penalties.
The event, spearheaded by Honourable Kudu Ajegana, a member representing Nasarawa Eggon East constituency in the state House of Assembly, aimed to promote peace and unity among the youth in the region.
Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Danladi Jatau, emphasised the significance of football in fostering unity, stating, “Football unites people and it has no rival.”
He commended Honourable Ajegana for organising the competition and urged all present to embrace peace and love for one another.
In his address, Speaker Jatau extended prayers for the governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, emphasising the importance of unity and love for the progress of the state.
Honourable Ajegana expressed gratitude to Speaker Jatau for his presence at the event, highlighting the role of sports in promoting peace and harmony among the youth. He pledged to enhance the prizes and gifts in future editions of the tournament.
The highlight of the match was the outstanding performance of Suleiman Aboki, goalkeeper of the Mountain Riders, who was named the Man of the Match for his heroic saves, including stopping two crucial penalties during the shootout.
Reacting to their victory, Coach Abdullahi Usman Meya of the Mountain Riders expressed joy and vowed to maintain the team’s winning momentum in future competitions.
On the other hand, Coach Ibrahim Amba Zachary of the Gale team, the runners-up, acknowledged their best efforts and attributed the outcome to the unpredictable nature of football.
The event showcased not only the sporting talent of the youth but also emphasised the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence in Nasarawa State.
Sun reports that as the curtains closed on the first edition of the Eggon East Peace Cup Football Finals, it left a lasting impression on the spectators, reinforcing the message of harmony and goodwill championed by Honourable Kudu Ajegana and the entire Nasarawa State Assembly.