The Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, has described the Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy as a platform for discovering and nurturing Nigeria’s next generation of football stars.
Olawande stated this through his Special Adviser on Public Engagement, Mr Omoleye Adedoyin, at the unveiling of the academy’s Under-17 team in Abuja on Saturday.
Adedoyin said the initiative demonstrated the commitment of individuals and stakeholders to developing football and empowering young people.
“Being here today is an opportunity for me. Being right here shows that there are people who are committed to football and sports, and we want our young children to grow and be proud of us,” he said.
He said the academy would provide young footballers with opportunities to showcase their talents, improve their skills and pursue professional careers.
“This is a platform where talents can be identified. There are also many young people who are willing to do more. From here, it is a stepping stone for them to go higher and put into practice whatever they have learned,” Adedoyin said.
Performing the formal unveiling, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Moses Ebute, SAN, commended the Ikenga family for transforming Onyeka Ikenga’s passion for football into a youth development initiative.
“In the memory of Onyeka Ikenga, in the name of the Lord, the Father and the Son, I hereby unveil the Under-17 Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy,” Ebute declared.
He expressed optimism that the academy would produce future Super Eagles players and internationally recognised football stars.
“I am proud of this organisation because I know that, by God’s grace, some of the products of this academy will end up at the Super Eagles level, and one day they will turn around to become the Ronaldos and Lionel Messis of this world,” he said.
Ebute challenged the young players to contribute to Nigeria’s return to the FIFA World Cup and aspire to win the competition, while urging them to maintain discipline and sportsmanship.
“I don’t want anybody to leave here with a fracture or dislocation because there will be a tomorrow,” he said.
The Chairperson of the football club, Chief Mrs Ngozi Ikenga, mother of the late Onyeka Ikenga, said the academy was established to sustain her daughter’s vision of empowering young people through football.
According to her, Onyeka, who was passionate about football, initiated the project before her death.
“Onyeka Ikenga was a very good football lover. In fact, she was the visionary behind this project because she started the academy before she passed away,” she said.
Chief Ikenga said the unveiling was held on Onyeka’s posthumous birthday to honour her memory and preserve her legacy.
She disclosed that one of the academy’s Under-17 players had secured an opportunity to travel to Saudi Arabia to join a football club.
“Everything has been finalised, so the boy will be leaving. He is under 17 and will be joining a bigger club through the Onyeka Ikenga Academy,” she said.
She assured that the initiative would be sustained as an annual programme.
“It is something that has come to stay,” she said, adding that Onyeka was passionate about developing young people and creating opportunities for them to realise their potential.
The Director of Sports of Onyeka Ikenga Football Club, Mr Lawrence Ikenga, said the academy was focused on youth development through football.
He said professional and FIFA-certified coaches, as well as scouts, were involved in identifying outstanding talents during the competition.
The event featured a novelty match between a selected Under-17 team and Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy, with the academy winning 5-0.
The Under-13 tournament also featured 10 teams competing for honours.
In the semi-finals, Young Eaglet played a 1-1 draw with Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy before losing 2-1 on penalties, while Karu Football Academy defeated De Baggio 4-0.
De Baggio went on to defeat Young Eaglet 3-1 in the third-place match.
In the final, Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy defeated Karu Football Academy 2-0 to win the championship.
The winners received a trophy and N200,000, while Karu Football Academy received N100,000 and a trophy. De Baggio received N50,000.
Effiong Nfonso of Karu Football Academy 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 won the Most Valuable Player award.
The academy was established in memory of Onyeka Augustina Ikenga, who died after a brief illness on Jan. 11, 2024.Onyeka Ikenga football club unveiling club’s under 17 academy
Her family said the academy was established to preserve her passion for football while nurturing young talents and promoting discipline, teamwork, integrity, resilience and excellence.
