It was a mixture of the display of football artistry, culture and tradition, as Lafiagi, the headquarters of Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State witnessed the birth of a talent discovery and grooming platform, Aliyu Issa Aeidu Football Academy, on Thursday February 27, 2025.
The Academy, owned by a USA-based son of the soil, was introduced to open up a footballing empowerment initiative for the youth. It’s a new sports talent nurturing outfit with a dedication to cultivating local football talent and nurturing young individuals in their pursuit of professional aspirations.
The idea was conceived with the vision to explore both the development and economic values of the round leather game in Nigeria.
At the unveiling, hosted at the Edu Local Government Stadium, Lafiagi, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Academy, Aliyu Issa Aiedu expressed his preparedness to invest in grassroots football as a means of empowering youth and preventing delinquency.
Aiedu is a US-based entrepreneur who once harboured grand ambitions as a local player, but couldn’t go far in the business. The introduction of the Academy is another way to actually actualise his dreams in another dimension.
Emphasizing the transformative influence of football, he characterized it as a universal language that unifies youth from diverse backgrounds. Football, according to him, transcends mere recreation; it serves as a mechanism for engaging young individuals and fostering communal advancement.
“I had a lot of dreams growing up as a footballer, but I couldn’t make it. I had the opportunity to go abroad, where most things are not done by the government, but by private individuals.
“I want to bring back here what I have learnt, so that we can help our young talented players to grow. We want to grow local football so that we can be able to minimise crime through the engagement and empowerment of youths through football. It’s also a way of community development”, he averred.
He added that the unveiling will be followed by a series of developmental plans, which includes facilities and collaboration with stakeholders, even as he sought the support of the government and the community. He equally charged the youths to take advantage of the opportunity.
The Director of the project, Dr. Ndanusa Manzuma, who is the Goroson Lafiagi said that the initiative started as a community youth engagement process, to play football for fun, entertainment and to win prizes.
“We started some time ago, as a community engagement plan, to play for fun and win prizes. But we now begin to explore the business angle to football, with the realisation that there are so many ways to make a living, especially with the youths, and for the youths.
“We are determined to take it to the next level. Our next level is to see our boys playing for the national teams, and for international clubs. That outcome will make a huge difference in our society”, he added.
The Chairman of Edu Football Council, Mallam Malik Manzuma, who is the Damburam of Lafiagi described the development as a huge investment for the community.
Mallam Manzuma, who was voted as the Best Football Council Chairman in the state commended the Local Government Chairman, for encouraging the needed youth friendly atmosphere in the Local Government. He also commended Ambassador Aliyu Issa Aeidu for introducing the Academy.
The Academy defeated DollyP Football Academy of Ilorin 2-0 in an encounter that witnessed wonderful performance from both sides.
The unveiling ceremony was rounded off at Lafyama Suites, Lafiagi, later in the evening, where football enthusiasts from far and near graced the historic event that showcased the rich culture and tradition of the Local Government.
Edu Local Government Area was created in 1976 and had six Districts, until 1997 when a Local Government Area was carved out of it to reduce the Districts to three. The Local Government Area shares boundaries with Ifelodun in the South, in the East with Pategi, North by River Niger and Niger State respectively.
The people of Edu Local Government Area are predominantly Nupe. Nigeria is a country blessed with rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions. And the stakeholders were thrilled to some of these through music, dance and song.
They showcased vibrant dancing styles that reflect the uniqueness of their ethnicity; the Nupe cultural dance, an expressive and energetic performance deeply rooted in the history, identity, and social life of the Nupe people of Niger, Kwara, and Kogi States.
With its intricate footwork, rhythmic drumming, and storytelling gestures, the Nupe dance is not only a source of entertainment but also a symbol of unity, strength, and resilience.
The Nupe dance is highly captivating and entertaining. The music provides them the opportunity to preserve and promote their heritage while showcasing the artistic excellence of the country’s traditional dancers.
Nupe people have a long and fascinating history, with their traditional dance serving as a key medium of storytelling. These performances often depict historical events, royal celebrations, victories of warriors, and social themes such as love, unity, and communal life. The dances are performed during important ceremonies like coronations, weddings, and cultural festivals, making them an essential part of Nupe identity.
One of the most striking features of the Nupe dance is its precision and synchronization. Dancers move in seamless harmony, blending rapid footwork with elegant hand gestures and expressive facial movements. Accompanied by the rhythmic beats of talking drums, gangan, and flutes, the performance creates a mesmerizing effect that leaves audiences spellbound.
Additionally, Nupe dance costumes are visually stunning, often consisting of richly embroidered attires, elaborate headpieces, and colorful beads that add to the beauty of the performance. These aesthetics make the dance not just a physical art form but also a visually appealing spectacle fit for a global audience.
That was witnessed as part of the activities that marked the unveiling of Aliyu Issa Aeidu Football Academy in Lafiagi.
Also, a popular Lafiagi traditional musician, Shashu also entertained guests at the event.
Just like Aiedu said, the Academy has already opened its doors for partnership and collaboration, to ensure it has a sound footing. International Football Agent, Babawo, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Babawo Football Agency, Babawo Mohammed Adamu declared that his outfit is partnering with AFA Academy, to help in growing the youth development project.
Babawo, who was represented at the unveiling ceremony by Abdullahi Shehu, popularly known as Shehu Romario said that they bought into the idea as a collaborative effort on all aspects which includes identifying, grooming and developing the capacity of the talented youths for the ever ready international football markets.
Babawo, popularly known as Babawo Lecturer, commended Ambassador Aliyu for creating the platform to empower talented youths in his community.
“We decided to join AFA Football Academy to help grow the initiative. We want to identify talents, and put them under our technical programmes, ahead of opportunities.
“Ambassador Aliyu Issa Aeidu established the platform with the aim of assisting the youths in his community, and that tallies with our objectives. And that’s why we will work together to assist his vision.
By Jimoh Bashir, with Agency Reports
