Sports
Brig-Gen Habila’s 20-Year Scorecard: Quiet Philanthropy Fueling Nigerian Grassroots Football
For over 20 years, Brigadier-General Yahaya Pela Habila has been a silent but steady pillar of football development in Nigeria. A senior officer of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps and current Director of Budget, Army Headquarters, Habila is a decorated soldier with the Distinguished Service Star, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star and several Operational Medals.
Beyond the military, his passion for football has left a clear footprint from the barracks to the national stage. He sponsored the Dragon Football Competition for youths during his tour of duty at 82 Division, Enugu, and has funded several other grassroots tournaments across the country. His support has also included direct donations to players, coaches and clubs, and welfare for families of deceased football personalities.
Habila was a key backer of Gombe United FC during their run to the Federation Cup finals in 2012 and 2013. He supported Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi with logistics equipment and extended assistance to the family of the club’s late coach, Solomon Ogbeide. At Enugu, he was a major source of motivation for Rangers International.
He has also facilitated foreign opportunities for young Nigerian footballers, helping many secure clubs abroad without demanding anything in return.
Football agent Chukwuma Udofia Ayaya described him as selfless: “He is the type of person we need in Nigerian football. He has so much passion for the game. He has helped many players realize their dreams and never asked for any return.”
Commissioned as Second Lieutenant in September 1998 as a member of the 45 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Habila has held strategic appointments in finance, audit, budgeting and pensions administration.
Academically, he holds a PhD in Security and Strategic Studies from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, an MSSc in Security and Development from Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka, an MSc in Security and Strategic Studies, and a PGDM from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also holds a BSc Economics from NDA and a Professional Accounting Certificate from the Nigerian College of Accountancy, Jos.
He attended Nigerian Military School, Zaria, and his hobbies include reading, writing, football, volleyball, farming and travelling.
Sports
Montage Community Football Tourney Registration Ends October 30
Cyril Ogar
Registration for the 2026 edition of the Montage Community Football Tournament will close on Friday, October 30, organisers have announced.
The tournament coordinator, Mr Raphael Ekpang, disclosed this on Thursday, urging interested teams across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take advantage of the remaining days to register.
Ekpang said registration had been ongoing since Monday, encouraging eligible teams to complete the process before the deadline.
The tournament, themed “Montage FM 99.7: Empowering Youth, Uniting Communities Through Football,” is scheduled to kick off on November 3, 2026, with playoffs across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
The grand finale will hold on December 5, 2026, at the Old Parade Ground, Garki Area 10, Abuja, where the top four teams will compete for first-, second- and third-place honours.
A total of 48 teams will participate in the competition, with eight teams representing each of the six Area Councils.
The participating teams will compete for cash prizes worth over ₦2 million and other valuable rewards.
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