…… Comrade Akinsanya, Eze Nwokedi Lead Calls For Youth Empowerment And 2027 Mobilisation
Emmanuel Clement.
Ikotun, Lagos -The heart of Alimosho beat to the sound of drums and cheers on Sunday, August 30,2026,as the maiden edition of the Eze Okpoko 1 League Cup kicked off, with organisers using football to preach unity, discover talent, and empower youths. 
Investigator news reports that Six teams are participating in this tournament, they include Ndi Igbo Buru’Otu Association,Eastern Brothers Association,the Legend Star, Obi Udo, Igbo Speaking Community and Igbo Bi Na Ije and are competing for a total prize package of N1 million and community bragging rights.
The tournament attracted community leaders, football enthusiasts, players, supporters ,members of the Igbo community and political office holders including the Executive Chairman of Ikotun/Igando LCDA, Senior Comrade Lasisi Akinsanya together with his legislative council members, Secretary to the local government and other stakeholders.
The opening fixtures delivered two cagey, goalless draws.Ndi Igbo Buru’Otu Association held the Legend Star to a goalless draw,while in the second match,Obi Udo and Igbo Speaking also played out a 0-0 stalemate. 
Though the nets stayed quiet, the stands were anything but for spectators, the real win was seeing different faces come together under one banner.
Before performing the ceremonial kick-off,Snr. Comrade Lasisi Ayinde Akinsanya,Executive Chairman of Ikotun-Igando LCDA who was the special guest of honor described football as Lagos’ strongest unifier.
“Football is a peaceful game. It is a game that unifies all — young and old, men and women. When we are on this pitch, you cannot tell who is Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba or Itsekiri. All of us are one,” Akinsanya said.
When we are playing football, you won’t be able to distinguish Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Delta or Itsekiri. All of us are one. Football is peaceful. It brings young and old, men and women together,” Akinsanya said
He commended the tournament initiator,Eze Ambassador Chika Nwokedi, Chairman Council of Ndieze, Lagos State for choosing to invest in people instead of “running to affluent areas ”
“Eze Okpoko could have stayed in areas like banana island,lekki,but he chose to stay here, to lift his people. That is leadership,” the chairman said.
“He is a messiah in human form, touching and impacting lives in Ikotun/Igando.My prayers for you is that God will continue to bless you and thank you for supporting our administration .
Akinsanya shifted gear to the 2027 elections, making a direct appeal to the Igbo community and other residents to deliver “massive votes” for the APC in the 2027 general election.
He specifically appealed to the people to mobilise massive votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Lagos State Governor-elect, Obafemi Hamzat, whom he described as the preferred candidate to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to him, the people should not only vote for the APC but should ensure that the party receives massive support at the polls.
He said the community needed to recognise the importance of its voting strength and use it to negotiate for greater representation and development.
He described the current deputy governor,Dr Hamzat as an intelligent and experienced politician who understood the challenges confronting Lagos and possessed the capacity to continue the development agenda of the state.
He therefore called on the community to mobilise men, women and youths so as to support the APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
“We are not only canvassing for votes for our father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are canvassing for massive votes. The votes in Lagos State should be massive,”
“Your voting strength is your bargaining power. Mobilise well and Ikotun-Igando will get more,” he told the crowd.”he said 
For Eze Nwokedi, the essence of the cup was to bring people together, encourage young people to develop their talents and create opportunities for outstanding youths.
“I just want to make them happy. I just want to bring the people together,” he said.
Eze Nwokedi who is also the President Ndigbo Buru Otu Association announced plans to scout outstanding players and support them with scholarships and opportunities to study abroad. 
He also revealed a N3 million youth empowerment programme coming in November for ages 12-25, plus support for boxing and other sports in Ikotun/Igando
Earlier Chief Dr Godswill Ogbuka,Vice President of Ndi Igbo Buru’Otu Association in his welcome address stated that the objective is to Igbo people across Lagos together by strengthen their bond, promoting unity and create platform where they can connect each other and build a stronger community.
“We are not just here to watch competition. We are here to celebrate our identity and strengthen togetherness.”
Ogbuka went further to appreciate the local government chairman for supporting the initiative and encouraging community development which brings about peaceful coexistence.
Speaking with newsmen,the LOC Chairman,Hon. Obinna Onyeruka noted that winners will get N500,000, runners-up N300,000, third place N200,000, plus N100,000 extra prize.
He disclosed that future editions will be opened to Yoruba, Hausa and other ethnic groups. “This started with Ndi Igbo, but the vision is for all of Lagos,” he said.
Stakeholders who graced the occasion including the convener of Ambassadors of Peace and Enlightenment, Comrade Prince Savior Iche opined that the competition will provide an opportunity for members of the Igbo Community to come together and showcase their talents.
He described the competition as a “match of unity,” , while commending Eze Nwokedi for putting up such initiative, thereby promoting unity.
I commend Eze Nwokedi and other members of the organizing committee for successfully putting together the maiden edition and I have the confidence that subsequent editions would be better.
Lending his voice,Engr. Norbert Ejike described the competition as a friendly sporting initiative capable of keeping young people engaged and promoting positive interaction, noting that grassroots football remained important in identifying and developing young talents while providing opportunities for people to interact and build relationships.
Also speaking to newsmen,the Youth Leader of the Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State omrade Ikechukwu Izuegbunam described the tournament as a landmark event for the Ikotun-Igando community.
Izuegbunam said “the community had not witnessed a competition of such nature before, describing the opening day as an exciting moment for participants and spectators.”
He said the tournament offered residents an opportunity to relax and temporarily ease the pressures of everyday life.
Izuegbunam who is also the Chairman of Igbo Speaking Community, Ikotun/Igando commended the officiating team for coordinating the matches, noting that while disagreements were inevitable in football, they could be resolved through understanding and dialogue.
The Executive Chairman while speaking with newsmen stressed the need for more competitions capable of identifying talented young footballers and providing them with opportunities to develop their careers.
Akinsanya disclosed that he had previously organised an under-14 football competition and planned to continue the initiative annually.
According to him,some of the young players who participated in the previous competition had been shortlisted for opportunities, while some had subsequently travelled abroad to pursue professional football careers.
Investigator news gathered that despite the goalless start, captains of Ndi Igbo Buru’Otu and the Legend Star promised stronger performances, discipline and sportsmanship as the league progresses.
Dignitaries present included Comr. Mojisola Ayinke Badmus(SLG Ikotun Igando)Hon. Tajudeen Olorunfemi,(Leader of the House, Ikotun/Igando),Hon. Tosin Opebiyi(Deputy leader),Hon. Olawale Hassan(Majority leader),Hon. Mukandasi Musbau(Chief Whip),Hon. Omotosho Saheem,(Councilor representing Ikotun ward)Hon. Akinyemi Haruna,(Councilor representing Igando ward),Hon. Radhidat Mohammed,(Councilor representing Akesan Obadore Ward),Ahmed Oloyede(Chief of Staff)and Hon. Omolabi Emmanuel(Special Adviser on Information and Strategy).
Others are Members and Executives of Ndigbo Buru Otu Association among others.
Highlight of the event was cultural dance by Eze Okpoko Cultural dance group who entertained the guest with their dancing skills and steps.
With the ball rolling, organisers say the long-term goal is to turn the Eze Okpoko 1 League Cup into an annual platform for talent discovery, education, empowerment and peaceful coexistence in Alimosho and beyond.
The tournament is also expected to expand in subsequent editions to accommodate youths from different ethnic backgrounds, reinforcing its stated objective of using sport as a platform for unity and community development.
