—says Football Academy capable of producing Stars
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, says the Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy will provide a platform for discovering and nurturing Nigeria’s next generation of football stars, including future Super Eagles players.
Olawande stated this through his Special Adviser on Public Engagement, Omoleye Adedoyin, at the official unveiling of the academy’s Under-17 team on Saturday in Abuja .
Adedoyin said the initiative demonstrated the commitment of individuals and stakeholders to football development and youth empowerment.
“ Being here today is an opportunity for me. Being right here shows that there are people who are committed to football and sports, and we want our young children to grow and be proud of us,” he said.
He said the academy would enable young footballers to showcase their abilities, develop their skills and pursue professional careers.
“ This is a platform where talents can be identified. There are also many young people who are willing to do more.
“ From here, it is a stepping stone for them to go higher and put into practice whatever they have learned,” he said.
Performing the formal unveiling, Olawande ,commended the Ikenga family for transforming Onyeka’s passion for football into a youth development initiative.
“ In the memory of Onyeka Ikenga, in the name of the Lord, the Father and the Son, I hereby unveil the Under-17 Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy,” he said .
The Chairman of the occasion, Moses Ebute, SAN, expressed optimism that the academy would produce future Super Eagles players and internationally recognised football stars.
“ I am proud of this organisation because I know that, by God’s grace, some of the products of this academy will end up at the Super Eagles level, and one day they will turn around to become stars of this world,” he said.
He challenged the young players to help Nigeria return to the FIFA World Cup and eventually win the competition, while urging them to maintain discipline and sportsmanship.
“ I don’t want anybody to leave here with a fracture or dislocation because there will be a tomorrow,” he said.
Chief Ngozi Ikenga, mother of the late Onyeka and Chairperson of the football club, said the academy was established in July 2023 by her daughter’s dream of empowering young people through football but today is the official launching of the under 17 team .
“ Onyeka Ikenga was a very good football lover. In fact, she was the visionary behind this project because she started the academy before she passed away,” she said.
Chief Ikenga said the unveiling was deliberately held on Onyeka’s posthumous birthday to honour her memory and sustain her legacy.
She disclosed that one of the academy’s Under-17 players had secured an opportunity to travel to Saudi Arabia to join a football club through the Onyeka Ikenga Academy,” she said.
She assured that the project would be sustained as an annual initiative, saying, “It is something that has come to stay.”
According to her, Onyeka was passionate about building young people and creating opportunities for them to develop their talents and succeed in life.
The Director of Sports of the Onyeka Ikenga Football Club, Lawrence Ikenga, said the academy was focused on youth development through football.
He said professional and FIFA-certified coaches, alongside scouts, were involved in identifying outstanding talents during the competition.
Credit : Aderonke Ojo
