The Administrator of Adavi local government, Hon. Joseph Omuya Salami has been honoured with a merit award by the National Football Association (NFA), Kogi State chapter, for his efforts toward the development of grassroot football.
The football association also lauded Salami for his exemplary leadership and good governance the local government council.
Comrade Musa, who spoke on behalf of the NFA representatives, described the award as “ground breaking”. Adding that, in the history of Kogi State, this is the first time a Football Club would represent the state and win the trophy at the national level.
He pointed out the Administrator’s effort to nurture, add value and elevate Kogi Pillars FC, formerly known as Nagazi Man-city, to the current admirable level which made them perform beyond expectations during the competition.
“Your youth empowerment, programmes and initiatives in the entertainment sector, community development, your closeness to the people especially youth at the grassroots, promotion of peace and unity in the community, and your contribution towards the sports development has directly impacted on the progress of the state,” he said.
In his keynote address, the Administrator of Adavi said; “It gives me great pleasure to receive and welcome you all to this August occasion of the presentation of merit award on me for my little contribution to sports development in Adavi LGA and Kogi State at large.
“I want to sincerely appreciate the members of the Kogi State Football Association for considering me worthy of this award which I feel spur me to do more for sports development. I have to give glory to Almighty God that the Seed I planted sometimes ago has germinated after being nurtured and adorned by all, not only within the shores of Adavi land but beyond Kogi State.
As a sports lover and a man who believes in sportsmanship, I promise to continue to be the vanguard of youth’s development through sponsoring of sports activities to engage them in meaningful form as great players and future leaders.
“The role of sport in nation building is one of the most unifying factors in spite of our diversities is sustaining our unity in Kogi State and Nigeria, which is quite glaring. Therefore I will continue to be a pillar of sports in my own little ways.
“As I receive this award, let me call on well to do Adavians to also invest in sports development that can lead to talent haunt among our teeming youths not only in football but also in other areas of sporting activities i.e athletics, swimming, table tennis and so on,” he said.
Salami dedicated the award to the Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello for given him the opportunity to serve Adavi people as the Council Administrator.
He called on Adavi electorate to come out en masse on the November 16th, 2019 to vote massively for the re-election of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello and his running mate, Chief Edward Onoja to remain in Lugard House till 2023.
He also appealed to the electorate to remain peace ambassador before, during and after the governorship election.
