Olawande Urges Investment In Young Talents, Unveils Onyeka Ikenga U-17 Football Academy

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The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has called on individuals, organisations and sports enthusiasts to invest in young Nigerian talents, describing sports, particularly football, as a veritable platform for youth development and career advancement.

Olawande, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Public Engagement, Adedoyin Omoleye, made the call on Saturday in Abuja during the unveiling of the Onyeka Ikenga U-17 Football Academy.

Omoleye, who delivered the minister’s goodwill message at the event, said the establishment of the academy marked “a new chapter of hope, opportunity and responsibility” for young Nigerians.

He said Nigeria was blessed with exceptionally talented youths, noting that football remained one of the strongest platforms through which young people could express their creativity, discipline, determination and patriotism.

According to him, Nigeria has produced several footballers from grassroots communities who went on to represent the country and excel on the international stage.

“However, talent alone is not enough. Talent must be discovered, developed, disciplined and given the right platform to thrive.

“This is why institutions such as this academy are so important. This academy represents an investment not only in football but also in the future of our young people,” he said.

The minister urged the management of the academy to go beyond football training by instilling discipline, teamwork, integrity, leadership and academic excellence in the young athletes.

He also encouraged the players to remain committed to their education and respect their coaches, parents and mentors.

“To our young footballers, I want you to understand that the journey ahead will require hard work and sacrifice. There will be difficult days, disappointments and moments when you may feel like giving up, but never allow temporary setbacks to define your future.

“Dream big, work hard, listen to your coaches, respect your parents and mentors, take your education seriously and, above all, remain disciplined. You may be training here today, but tomorrow you could be representing Nigeria at the highest level of international football,” he said.

Omoleye said the Ministry of Youth Development recognised that youth development went beyond employment and empowerment, stressing the need to create platforms where young Nigerians could discover their talents and develop them into sustainable careers.

He noted that sports, particularly football, offered opportunities for skills development, entrepreneurship, employment, empowerment and international exposure.

He commended the founders, management, coaches, sponsors and other stakeholders who contributed to bringing the academy to life, describing their investment in young people as an investment in the future of Nigeria.

Omoleye also urged the academy to establish a strong pathway linking grassroots football with professional opportunities, while ensuring that every child who passed through the institution received proper guidance and mentorship.

Speaking at the event, the mother of the late Onyeka Ikenga and Chairperson of Onyeka Ikenga Football Club, Chief Miss Ngozi Ikenga, a legal professional, said the academy was established to immortalise her daughter and continue her vision of nurturing young footballers.

Ikenga said Onyeka had started the project before her death, adding that the family decided to complete and formally unveil the academy in her honour.

According to her, the unveiling was deliberately held on Onyeka’s birthday as a way of celebrating her life and keeping her vision alive.

“She was a football lover and, in fact, she was the visionary behind this project. She started it before she passed away, and we thought of what to do in her honour. We decided to put this together and unveil the academy that she had already started,” she said.

Ikenga disclosed that one of the academy’s players, who is under 17 years old, would soon travel to Saudi Arabia after securing an opportunity with a football club.

She said the development was an indication that Onyeka’s vision of helping young people succeed through football was already yielding results.

“Everything has been finalized, and the boy will be leaving for Saudi Arabia. We are happy that Onyeka’s vision is beginning to produce results,” she said.

She added that Onyeka was passionate about building the younger generation and wanted to see young people succeed both in football and in life.

The Chairman of the occasion, Moses Ebute, SAN, commended the family and organisers for establishing the academy in her honour, saying the initiative demonstrated that Onyeka’s legacy would continue to inspire young people.

“I am proud of this family because we are celebrating her death. She made you proud because she was a wonderful child.
“We are showing her that we have no regret in having her as a child,” he said.

Ebute expressed optimism that some of the products of the academy would eventually rise to the level of the Super Eagles and become internationally recognised football stars.

The unveiling ceremony featured an Under-13 football tournament involving eight grassroots teams, with Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy emerging champions.

In the first semi-final, Young Eaglet played a 1-1 draw with Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy before the latter prevailed 2-1 on penalties.

In the second semi-final, Karu Football Academy (KFA) defeated De Baggio 4-0. Young Eaglet subsequently lost 3-1 to De Baggio in the third-place match.

In the final, Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy defeated KFA 2-0 to claim the championship trophy and a cash prize of ₦200,000.

KFA, the runners-up, received ₦100,000 and a trophy, while De Baggio, who finished third, received ₦50,000.

Effiong Nfonso of KFA emerged as the tournament’s highest goal scorer with four goals, while Ijere Ijere of Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy was named Best Goalkeeper.

William Ikenga of Ikenga FC was named Most Valuable Player. The participating teams were Sky FC, Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy, Joel FC, Karu Football Academy (KFA), Young Eaglet, Emmanuel FC, Young Star and De Baggio.