Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti has announced that Abia Warriors Football Club will receive a monthly total of ₦35 million. This includes ₦30 million from the state government and an additional ₦5 million from the Alex Otti Foundation.
At a reception honoring the club for reaching the finals of the 2023/2024 FA Cup, where they finished as runners-up—a historic first for the club—Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika contributed ₦10 million, Hon. Darlington Nwaokocha donated ₦5 million, and Engr. Chinedu Onyeizu provided ₦2.5 million.
Governor Otti praised the players, management, and board for their achievements, stating that their progression to the final was a victory in itself and that they had already made the state proud.
“Thank you very much for joining me to receive the gallant warriors of Abia Warriors. I was very pleased as I watched you inch to the finals,” he said. “As far as I was concerned, when you got to the finals, you had won and the least that could happen was for you to be first runner up which is what you are.
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“So when I listened to the chairman speak a little bit with regret, saying that luck ran out of you. I’m not too sure I can remember in recent time when you were the first runner-up.
“So, you came from the rear and you came second in the FA Cup. That’s a huge feat and I’m happy and I congratulate you.
“Clearly I can say without any fear of contradiction, the next time around, you will lift the FA Cup”, Governor Otti added.
Speaking further, he assured the players of the support of his administration to achieve more for the club and individually like great footballers like Jay Jay Okocha, Christiano Ronaldo etc.
“One thing you can take away from here is that this government will continue to support you”.
“Those Opportunities we do not have, we want to give them to you.
“So, I have listened to the Chairman’s pleas and we are going to take them one after the other, you know we don’t have money, we are just managing.
“By next week you will get a coaster bus for the team. The other things in the shopping list, we will take them one after the other as our resources allow”, the Governor assured.
The Governor was joined on the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, the Hon. Commissioner for Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba, the Hon. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, Hon. Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, Hon. Commissioner for Power and Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, Deputy Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Youth Development, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke and others.