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The Benue State House of Assembly has unanimously approved plans to roll out the red carpet for the Maktown Flyers Basketball Club following their dramatic conquest of the 2025 Nigerian Premier Basketball League title.
Lawmakers, still buzzing from the Flyers’ nail-biting final victory over defending champions Rivers Hoopers on November 23 in Port Harcourt, agreed yesterday to organise a special victory dinner in honour of the team that has put Benue firmly on the national sporting map.
The motion, moved by Kennedy Angbo (APC/Otukpo-Akpa) and seconded by Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South), praised the Manasseh Achii-led management and Coach Michael Ikima’s squad for “writing their names in gold” and lifting the pride of the state.
Angbo disclosed that the Flyers have formally requested to present the championship trophy to both the State Assembly and Governor Hyacinth Alia in the coming days, a gesture lawmakers described as deeply humbling.
With the national title now secured, the Flyers will carry Nigeria’s flag at the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Kigali, Rwanda, an achievement that prompted immediate calls for robust government support.
Speaker Berger Emberga threw his full weight behind the motion, calling the victory “a milestone for youth development and sporting excellence” while pledging the Assembly’s continued backing for any initiative that keeps Benue shining on the continental stage.
From the streets of Makurdi to the corridors of power, one name is on everyone’s lips right now: Maktown Flyers, national champions, pride of the Food Basket, and the team that just turned a dream into history.
The victory dinner date will be announced soon, but one thing is already certain: when the Flyers finally land home with that trophy, the entire state will be ready to give them the heroes’ welcome they have earned.
