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The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Embergera, has officially launched the Aondoaver Alia Makurdi North Unity Cup 2026, a youth football tournament aimed at promoting unity, peaceful coexistence, and grassroots development among young people in Makurdi North and across the state.
The competition kicked off on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the LGEA Primary School in Agan, drawing enthusiastic participation from teams representing various council wards and communities within Makurdi North State Constituency and beyond. The event attracted a wide array of dignitaries, including Hon. Commissioner for Science, Technology and Energy Innovation James Dwem, Chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club Mr. Terver Ikya, Hon. Jiji, and other notable figures.
In his address at the opening ceremony, Speaker Embergera described the tournament as a strategic platform that aligns with the political vision and inclusive governance philosophy of Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia. He emphasized that the initiative complements the governor’s “Unified Agenda,” which prioritizes the collective welfare, progress, development, and security of all Benue people, transcending sectional, ethnic, or political divisions.
The Speaker highlighted the non-political character of the Unity Cup, noting that it brings together participants from diverse backgrounds—regardless of tribe, religion, or party affiliation—to foster social cohesion, bridge religious intolerance and ethnicity, and build a shared sense of identity. He stressed that the tournament goes beyond football, serving as a vehicle for cultivating physical, social, and emotional resilience, discipline, leadership, and patriotism among the youth.
Rt. Hon. Embergera, who also serves as Governor Alia’s lead Point-Man for Makurdi Local Government Area, commended the organizers for their transparent and impeccable coordination. He urged all stakeholders—including match officials, team managers, organizers, and players—to uphold the highest standards of fairness, justice, equity, and integrity throughout the competition, pointing out that integrity in sports mirrors integrity in leadership and governance.
The tournament is positioned as a springboard for discovering and nurturing young talents, with the potential to develop them into professional sportsmen capable of representing Benue State at national and international levels, including FIFA and Olympic platforms. Significant prizes await participants, including cash awards, trophies, jerseys, and individual honors such as Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goal Scorer, and Well-Behaved Team. Consolation prizes will also be awarded to all participating teams to recognize their efforts and encourage broad involvement.
The launch has been widely welcomed as a positive step toward youth engagement, empowerment, and peace-building in the region. By leveraging sports as a unifying force, the Aondoaver Alia Makurdi North Unity Cup 2026 aims to contribute meaningfully to social harmony, talent development, and the broader transformation of Benue’s young generation.
The statement announcing the event was issued by Zape Michael Upah, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, on January 15, 2026.
