The African Football Alliance (AFA) has bestowed the African Football Development Excellence Award on Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong for his long-standing and continued support to the game, not only in his state but across Nigeria.
Governor Lalong was bestowed the award after he led the Nigerian delegation to a successful clash between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the FNB Stadium in South Africa on Saturday.
A statement issued by the Plateau State Commissioner of Information and Communication, Yakubu Dati stated that
“after the much-awaited clash between the Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, the focus switched to the bright lights of Sandton where the African Football Alliance (AFA) bestowed recognition awards upon Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State who earlier led the Nigerian delegation to the match at the FNB Stadium.”
The statement noted that awards were also handed out to NFF President, Amaju Pinnick and NFF 1st Vice- President, Seyi Akinwunmi.
It said Governor Lalong in his acceptance speech, said the recent success of the Super Eagles was testimony to the fact that if Nigerians have one common vision, anything was possible both on and off the field of play.
The Governor also assured that Plateau State would continue to focus on and prioritise youth related programmes to create opportunities for them.
It said the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, who received the African Football Leadership Award, was in full praise of the success of the Super Eagles and commended Governor Lalong for his unselfish commitment to lead the process of football and community development as well as his vision to create a legacy, which will speak for itself when Nigeria is counted among the “best in the world.”
AFA Convener, Gerrit Davids stated that the awards programme was in line with the objectives of the Alliance to foster and encourage more people to take up leadership roles within football and to share knowledge on the best practice required to make African football great.”
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