Akwa Ibom, Benue Governors lay claim to FA Cup trophy

• Udom tasks A’ United to win, Ortom motivates Lobi Stars with cash, buses

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, has tasked Akwa United FC to do everything possible to win the Federations Cup this weekend in Lagos, when they face Lobi Stars of Makurdi in the final at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

His Benue State counterpart, Governor Samuel Ortom, has released the sum of N26 million for settlement of players’ match bonuses of Lobi Stars and also donated two new buses to the club to alleviate its logistic problem.

Ortom made the disclosure at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi during a meeting with the management and players of the Club ahead of the Federations Cup final in Lagos.

It was learnt yesterday that Governor Udom ordered players of Akwa United to go to Lagos and beat Lobi Stars, when he hosted the players to a breakfast meeting at the Government house, Uyo.

“I am coming for the game against Lobi Stars in Lagos. I want you to go and win the trophy. The state is waiting patiently for it. I know you have a good team that can make all of us in Akwa Ibom smile. This is the first time a club from the state will qualify for the final of the Federations Cup and I want you to make it count this time,” Udom said.

On his part, Governor Ortom commended Lobi Stars for making the state proud by qualifying for the finals through what he described as sheer resilience. He said that his gestures were intended to motivate the players to bring home the trophy.

He said in spite of the lean financial resources of the state, he decided to bend backwards in order to fulfill the obligations and reiterated the commitment of his administration to making sports a veritable platform for engaging and developing youths in the State.

Ortom further directed the constitution of a delegation to accompany him to personally witness the match and cheer the club to victory at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Lawrence Onoja, stated that arrangements have been concluded for the Club to be in Lagos for the tournament.

Vice-Chairman of the Club, Dominic Iorfa, disclosed that although players’ salaries had been paid up to date, they were yet to receive their match bonuses and expressed the hope that they would be paid to boost their morale.

In his remarked, the team captain, Terna Ikpeen, assured that with the Governor’s presence at the finals, the club would do everything possible to win the trophy.