The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has expressed confidence in the ability of Dominic Iorfa, the newly appointed vice-chairman of Lobi Stars to save the club from relegation.
The governor played host to Iorfa in Benue State’s Government House on Friday afternoon, four days after he was appointed to help keep the club in Nigeria’s top-flight.
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Ortom also promised to continue to give unflinching support to the Iorfa-led management of Lobi Stars to enable it to achieve its set goals in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The former Nigerian international, Iorfa, was re-appointed vice-chairman of Lobi Stars of Makurdi on Monday.
Iorfa, who led Lobi Stars to their first and only FA Cup triumph in 2003 when they defeated defunct Sharks of Port-Harcourt 2-0 in Kaduna, has been mandated to rescue the club from relegation in the 2022 NPFL season.
In a related development, the Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, who doubles as chairman of Lobi Stars, also hosted the new management and the new Head Coach of the club, Mohammed Baba-Ganaru was introduced to him in his office.
The former technical adviser of Kano Pillars and El-kanemi Warriors was appointed Lobi Stars Head Coach on Thursday, March 24.
Addressing the new management, Abounu also reiterated that Ortom had assured him that he would give Lobi Stars his maximum support.
“His Excellency, Governor Ortom has expressed confidence in Dominic Iorfa’s ability to take the team out of relegation.
“It’s his belief that he can do the magic that made him give the new vice-chairman the go-ahead to reposition the team and in turn, achieve results that can take us out of the looming shame that relegation will bring on us.
“Your immediate assignment is to return Lobi Stars to winning ways.
“The team must be revived immediately and we are putting all our trust in you and will give you all the support you need to succeed,” he stated.
Abounu also assured the management that the government will ensure that attractive welfare packages for players are put in place for them to put in their best and deliver on their mandate.
According to him, “If players are not motivated, they will not produce results.
“The players also must bring on board extreme determination, without which they won’t get the desired results.”
While introducing the new head coach, Iorfa explained that he decided to bring in a seasoned football tactician like Baba-Ganaru to salvage the team because of the present circumstances the team has found itself.
On behalf of the new gaffer, he promised the government that the task given to the technical crew would be achieved, adding that if anyone can do it, it is Ganaru.
In his remarks, Coach Ganaru appreciated the state for giving him the ‘special’ assignment.
He said: “This is a special assignment. I am on a rescue mission. It is not every coach who will accept what looks like a risk but I am confident in my ability to deliver.
“So, I have accepted this new challenge with utmost confidence.”
Lobi Stars currently sit 19 on the log with 19 points from 19 matches having lost their last five matches.
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