Sports

FCT Minister Lauds FOSLA Academy, Pledges Support

Published

5 years ago

July 15, 2021

…Our target is to be the best in the world-Sani Lulu

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory Administration Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has heaped a huge praise on the FOSLA Football Academy for its struggle to make FCT proud, urging them not to relent in their oar toward making Nigeria’s capital city proud more.

She made the commendation on Thursday in Abuja when Minister received the champion of the maiden edition of National Principal Cup FOSLA academy in her office where she pledges to do everything within her power to ensure FOSLA academy be the best in the world.

Just a few months ago, FOSLA academy, owned by former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Sanni Lulu emerged champion of the resuscitated National Principal’s Cup after years of moribund.

Speaking, the minister who was represented by FCT Director of Sports Mr Luka Istifanus appreciated the efforts of the Proprietor of the school Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi to toward football development.

According to Istifanus, the minister of FCT was very much delighted when she received the request made by FOSLA football academy for her to receive them officially, having emerged the overall winner of the National Principal Cup of 2021 edition.

She encouraged the management of FOSLA academy to continue working hard and be more patriotic “I want to charged FOSLA academy to go to higher places, than just winning the Principal Cup because there are still other competitions that are higher than this.”

The Director assured that the FCT administration will collaborate with the FOSLA Academy to ensure that children who are naturally endowed in the Capital city are given the opportunity to combine their academic with their football careers.

Speaking earlier, the Proprietor of the Academy, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi enumerated the achievements of the Academy since 2011 it was established, and commended the administration of the FCT for giving it an enabling environment to operate. He said that the Academy with 70 percent of its students being indigent, but naturally endowed and are on scholarship to university level.

According to him, we have reach the stage for the past 10 years, we are doing the best and improving our service and what we are looking for is not to remain where we are, we are trying to be the best in the world.

“We are so clearly optimism is in our dream to get to the best position in the whole world and to get to that imaginable target we needed everybody’s supports, most importantly the government that is why we are to visit honorable minister of the state.

However, since its establishment in September 2011 as the first privately owned football academy in Nigeria, FOSLA Academy has established itself in the round leather game. It has won the FCT Principals Cup from 2015 to date, played up to the finals of the NNPC /Shell All Nigerian Secondary School Competition, Copa Coca-Cola U. 15 cup finals, Etisalat U. 15 cup finals among others. It has also contributed several players to the various Nigeria Youth teams, and recently became the first Football Club in country that played in the League with all University Undergraduates players

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Sports

29 Days To AACT 2026: IBB Club Renewal Heralds Nigeria’s African Golf Showcase

Published

7 hours ago

October 4, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With 29 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Nigeria is stepping up preparations to host the continental women’s team golf championship, with the extensive rehabilitation of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja providing a major boost to the country’s readiness.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja Director of Communication AACT 2026, Kayode Adeniyi said the Club’s Board of Trustees has assured that the facility will be fully prepared to welcome golfers, officials and delegates from across Africa when the championship tees off on November 2.

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, gave the assurance after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works at the Club, expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded so far.

The IBB International Golf and Country Club has undergone extensive rehabilitation following its closure to regular golfing activities for more than a year. The intervention has focused on the golf course, selected holes, the clubhouse and other key facilities required to provide a befitting venue for the continental championship.

Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed confidence that the rehabilitation programme would be completed in time for the AACT, further reassuring stakeholders that the Club would be ready to host Africa’s leading female golfers.

Chairman of the Club’s Interim Management Committee, Peter Deshi, also expressed optimism over the progress of work, with regular golfing activities expected to resume ahead of the championship.

For the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the readiness of the host venue remains a critical component of the country’s preparations.

President of the Association, Dr. Lami Ahmed, has similarly expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparations to stage a successful championship.

The 2026 AACT is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

With the countdown now entering its final month, the rehabilitation of the Club is sending a strong message about Nigeria’s determination to deliver a successful championship and provide a worthy stage for Africa’s finest female golfers.

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