The Abia Governor Dr. Alex Otti OFR, has assured the Players and Management of Abia Warriors Football Club of the State Government’s continued Support for improved performance and greater accomplishment.
Governor Otti gave the assurance on Tuesday August 6th, during a reception in honour of the players and management of the club for making it to the finals of the 2023/2024 FA cup competition where they finished as runner-up, the first in the history of the club.
Governor Otti congratulated the players, management and the board for making him and the State proud, saying that for him, the moment they made it to the final, they had won. He said he was greatly delighted by the feat they achieved and expressed the hope that they will come back home with the trophy when next they are in the finals.
“Thank you very much for joining me to receive the gallant warriors of Abia Warriors. I was very pleased as I watched you inch to the finals. As far as I was concerned, when you got to the finals, you had won and the least that could happen was for you to be first runner up which is what you are.
“So when I listened to the chairman speak a little bit with regret, saying that luck ran out of you. I’m not too sure I can remember in recent time when you were the first runner-up. So, you came from the rear and you came second in the FA Cup. That’s a huge feat and I’m happy and I congratulate you”.
“Clearly I can say without any fear of contradiction, the next time around, you will lift the FA Cup”, Governor Otti declared.
Speaking further, he assured the players of the support of his administration to achieve more for the club and individually like great footballers like Jay Jay Okocha, Christiano Ronaldo etc.
“One thing you can take away from here is that this government will continue to support you”.
“Those Opportunities we do not have, we want to give them to you. So, I have listened to the Chairman’s pleas and we are going to take them one after the other, you know we don’t have money, we are just managing. By next week you will get a coaster bus for the team. The other things in the shopping list, we will take them one after the other as our resources allow”, the Governor assured.
On behalf of the State Government, the Governor announced a donation of N30 Million to the players, he personally gifted them N5 Million through Alex Otti Foundation. Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika gave the club N10 Million naira, Sen. Darlington Nwaokocha gave them N5 Million while Engr. Chinedu Onyeizu gave them N2.5 million.
The Governor was joined on the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, the Hon. Commissioner for Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba, the Hon. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, Hon. Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, Hon. Commissioner for Power and Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, Deputy Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Youth Development, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke and others.
Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
06-08-2024.
