Gov. Sule Receives ‘Most Youth-Friendly Governor’ Award, Hails Nasarawa Youth for Excellence in Sports

By David Odama

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has been honoured with the prestigious Most Youth-Friendly Governor award during the maiden edition of the Strategic Youth Leadership Conference, co-hosted by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the National Defence College, Abuja.

The award was presented at the Government House, Lafia, by a delegation led by Dr. Emmanuel Unuakpor, Director of Public Relations/Protocols at the National Defence College, in a statement signed by Eche Amos, Head of Public Relations, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

Dr. Unuakpor commended the governor’s “mind-blowing achievements” since assuming office, which, he said, made him deserving of the honour.

“Your Excellency, your numerous contributions to youth growth and development in the state and beyond are evident. The participants you sponsored to the Strategic Youth Leadership Conference were outstanding—not just in number but in vibrancy, articulation, and meaningful contributions to the conference report,” he said.

According to him, apart from the President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, no other leader had received such recognition before now. “Although several governors, ministers, and top dignitaries attended the conference, you were chosen ahead of them. This makes you the first governor in Nigeria to receive this award,” he added.

Dr. Unuakpor noted that the collaboration between the Ministry of Youth Development and the National Defence College affirmed Governor Sule’s worthiness, describing him as an exceptional leader whose impact continues to inspire young people.

Responding, Governor Sule expressed gratitude to the organizers and pledged continued investment in youth empowerment and talent development.

“I sincerely thank the National Defence College and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development for organizing this important training for our youth, and for recognizing our modest efforts,” he said.

Highlighting the achievements of Nasarawa youth, the governor praised their outstanding performance in sports and other youth-related activities. He emphasized that sports remain a tool for unity, peace, and progress, noting that investors are more attracted to states with conducive environments.

“Whatever it takes to promote youth development in Nasarawa, we will do it—even beyond my administration. I want to see Nasarawa ten times more developed than how I leave it, and I am already laying the foundation for that dream,” he stated.

The governor congratulated Nasarawa’s fifteen delegates at the conference for their excellent performance, as well as six ex-NYSC members who received Presidential Honours in Abuja. He also celebrated striker Anas Yusuf, the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League’s top scorer with 18 goals; two Nasarawa Amazons players who won the African Women’s Cup of Nations in Morocco; seven feeder-team players scouted at the NPFL U-19 Championship; and Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Attama, newly elected as National Programme Officer II at the 2025 National Youth Council of Nigeria Congress in Bayelsa.

He further applauded Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, for his passion and commitment, describing him as “a leader driven by results, not rewards.” He also commended Coach Mangut Mbwas for transforming Nasarawa United FC within a short time.

Governor Sule assured that all individuals who recently made the state proud would be rewarded.

Earlier, Hon. Yakubu, who led the visiting delegation, commended the governor for creating an enabling environment where young people thrive, become self-reliant, and compete globally.

Highlights of the event included the unveiling of Nasarawa United’s kits for the 2025/26 NPFL season, the official kits for the 4th Governor AA Sule Inter-Security Agencies’ Unity Cup, the presentation of a replica Super Falcons jersey by the Chairperson of Nasarawa Amazons, Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman Nagogo, and a plaque of appreciation by ex-corps members.