Gov. Uzodimma Promises Support for George Aluo led NNL board
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has promised the board of the Nigeria National League of his government’s support in their bid to reposition the second tier league.
He made the promise, Friday while declaring open the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the league board, held at Rockview Hotel, Owerri, the Imo State Capital.
Gov. Uzodimma who was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Barrister Nnamdi Anyaehie, noted that the state government is happy with the transformation the league has gone through under the leadership of Mr. George Aluo, a son of the state, promising that his board will continue to get the support of the Imo State government.
” We’re particularly proud that the current Chairman of NNL, George Aluo is from Imo State which is a sort of pride to us and he will get the full support of Imo State government in his plans to develop the league.
“We believe his experience and passion for football will take NNL to greater heights”, said the governor.
The governor charged the board to always focus on policies that will strengthen football administration in the country, describing the NNL as the bedrock of Nigeria national football ecosystem
” As you deliberate today, I urge you to focus on policies that will strengthen club football administration, improve welfare of players, enhance good officiating and improve commercial viability of the league because a strong NNL is the bedrock of Nigeria national football ecosystem.
Senator Uzodimma also said that his government being mindful that Heartland FC and many Imolites have continued to fly the country’s flag high at international competitions, will continue to give sports development top priority even as he appealed that the state should be considered for the hosting of national and international sporting events.
According to him, the state under his watch has continued to promote good football heritage, adding that its grassroots sports programmes was a deliberate effort to re- direct the youths in the state positively and restore the image of the communities in football.
“Our grassroots programmes like the recently concluded Imo Unity Cup which featured tertiary institutions across the state was a deliberate effort to re- direct our youths positively and restore the image of our communities through football and we’ll continue to promote such programmes.
Earlier in his welcome address, NNL Chairman, George Aluo expressed appreciation to Imo State government for accepting to host the AGM, which he said was the state government’s demonstration of it’s commitment to promote sports and youth empowerment in all facets in the state just as he noted that the board has recorded some laudable achievements.
” I must have to express my appreciation to Governor Hope Uzodimma CON for accepting to host this AGM which is a demonstration of his administration’s efforts at grassroots sports development
“It’s equally important to tell you that through the unwavering support of our partners in broadcasting, sponsorship, media, logistics and technical areas, we’ve been able to record notable achievements and we’ll continue to take the league higher”, he assured.
The AGM had in attendance, the Imo State Commissioner of Sports, Obinna Onyeocha, the state’s football association chairman, Ifeanyi Dike, his Anambra State counterpart, Chikelue Iloenyosi and other football stakeholders from across the country
