•Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State
The Ebonyi State government, under the leadership of Governor Francis Nwifuru, has approved the establishment of a state female football team to boost sports development and empower young local athletes.
Chidi Onyia, the State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, announced the initiative during a familiarisation visit by the executive members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ebonyi State Chapter, at his office in Abakaliki.
Onyia highlighted that the approval aligns with Governor Nwifuru’s commitment to reviving sports across the state, reports Channels TV.
He noted that the move comes on the heels of Ebonyi-born track athlete Gabriel Ogazi’s gold medal victory in the men’s 400 meters at the Glasgow 2026 Games, which earned Ogazi the top global ranking in the event.
In addition to sports infrastructure, Onyia revealed that the Governor has approved the resumption of stipend payments for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to Ebonyi State, ending a decade-long hiatus.
Addressing state teams and the press, the commissioner tasked Abakaliki FC with securing promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
He further urged sports journalists to support grassroots talent discovery through professional, balanced reporting.
Earlier in the meeting, SWAN, Ebonyi State Chapter Chairman Ndubuisi Nwogha congratulated Onyia on his appointment and pledged the association’s continued media support.
Nwogha commended Governor Nwifuru’s youth-centric policies, noting their role in curbing local crime rates, while appealing to the state government for operational vehicles and logistical support to enhance SWAN’s coverage across the state.
