By Dada Ahmed in Okene.
The Ohinoyi of Egbiraland, Dr. Ahmed Tijani Mohammed Anaje, has unveiled plans to organize a sports tournament and a Durbar as part of efforts to attract development to Egbiraland.
He disclosed this on Friday while receiving members of the Kogi Central Think Tank Forum, who paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Okene.
Dr. Anaje described sports as a powerful tool for promoting social cohesion and creating employment opportunities for youth with sporting talents, stressing that Egbiraland intends to leverage these opportunities to drive social and economic growth.
According to him, trophies have been purchased for winners of the proposed tournament.
He explained that outstanding players would be groomed into the “Ohiku Warriors Club,” with the aim of competing in the Nigerian football league and, eventually, seeking opportunities with international clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea.
The monarch noted that the initiative would not only keep young people engaged in positive activities and discourage them from negative tendencies but also bring global recognition to both Egbiraland and Kogi State through the achievements of local talents.
He further revealed that he had begun mobilizing prominent sons and daughters of the land, both at home and in the diaspora, to support the project.
Beyond sports, Dr. Anaje said plans were also underway to harmonize all cultural festivals in Egbiraland and repackage them into an annual event. According to him, the festival would feature activities such as durbar processions, mountaineering, and horse racing, with prizes to be won.
He expressed optimism that, when fully operational, these initiatives would attract visitors from across Nigeria and beyond, offering them an opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage and abundant sporting talents of Egbiraland.
The Ohinoyi commended the Kogi Central Think Tank Forum for its role in fostering unity and development in the state.
In his remarks, the Forum’s Chairman, Dr. Haroun Opotu Yussuff, praised the monarch for his visionary leadership and pledged the Forum’s commitment to supporting his initiatives for the progress of the land.
