By John Wada, Keffi.
As part of their continued efforts in fostering peace and unity among different ethnic groups in Toto local government area of Nasarawa State, two Non-Governmental Humanitarian Organisations have empowered women and youths in the locality through sport and work tools.
The NGOs are Maikaya Development Foundation and Hajiya Hadiza Foundation.
The gesture took place shortly after a final of the Maikaya Foundation’s annual grassroot football tournament held recently in Toto town.
Our correspondent reported that the finals of the tournament’s 2025 edition had Toto Football Club played against Adadu Football Club which ended in a goalless draw after normal time.
Adadu FC then defeated Toto FC 2-0 in a penalty shootout to lift the tournament’s trophy and earn the cash prize for the winner of the competition.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen after the game, Maikaya expressed joy over the success of the tournament, which is the sixth edition.
He said it has fostered unity among the different tribes in the area and also offering sporting opportunities for youths in the area.
He added that organising the tournament is in line with the objectives of the NGOs, which is to meaningfully engage youths and foster peace and unity in the community.
“I am sure we all know the role of football in bringing people together; There was a time when in this area it was difficult to have all the tribes together but we are lucky we have a pragmatic governor who did all he could to ensure all tribes live in peace and harmony.
“We also have a good local government chairman who is working hard to ensure that peace and harmony is sustained in the area.
“We as an NGO will continue to host this tournament and improve on it annually with the objective of fostering unity, peace and harmony and opening opportunities for youths interested in football in the area,” he said.
The Chairman of Toto LGA, Ahmed Baba-Yahaya, appreciated the NGO and its founder for consistently organising the tournament as a platform for youths in the area to showcase their skills and expose them to opportunities that abound in football.
He said that the tournament has not only offered opportunities to youths but has also endeared tribes towards one another, which according to him, was lacking in the past.
“Honestly, we thank Alhaji Maikaya for his consistency in making this tournament available for our youths and for using it as a platform to help unite different tribes in the area.
“You can see that when there is a tournament like this, it helps to drive away disunity far from us; On our part we will continue to engage and support Alhaji Maikaya to sustain this tournament because of the benefits it offers to our people,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Nasarawa state chapter, Jaafar Loko, also thanked the NGOs for sustaining the tournament over the years.
He assured that he will continue to engage with Maikaya Development Foundation and other well-meaning citizens of the state, to foster grassroots engagements, especially through sports.
Aside the tournament, the Hajiya Hadiza Foundation also collaborated with Maikaya Development Foundation, to empower women in the community with items such as sewing machines, grinding machines and hair dryer machines among others.
