In a powerful demonstration of community leadership that extends beyond the courtroom, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and traditional titleholder Alhaji Mohammed Ndarani (the Hukunchi Nupe and Hausaland) has launched a grassroots football initiative aimed at promoting social cohesion and youth development. The inaugural ‘Hukunchi Nupe Football Competition,’ held in Vunchi, Doko District of Lavun Local Government Area, Niger State, represents a strategic investment in peacebuilding through sport.
The tournament, which concluded on Wednesday after over a month of matches, saw fourteen local teams compete. Young Stars Football Club of Doko emerged victorious, defeating Sparkling Stars 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a tense goalless draw in regulation time. Alhaji Ndarani has declared the competition an annual event, signaling a long-term commitment to its objectives.
Beyond the Game: A Strategic Vision for Community Development
In an exclusive interview, Ndarani, SAN, elaborated on the multifaceted goals behind his sponsorship. While the immediate spectacle is football, the underlying mission addresses critical societal challenges:
- Peace and Unity as Foundational Pillars: “I sponsored this competition to unite all the youths and to ensure there is peace in our area,” Ndarani stated. He emphasized football’s unique capacity to bridge ethnic and communal divides, fostering a shared identity and collective purpose. In a region and a nation where ethnic tensions can surface, creating neutral, celebratory platforms for interaction is a proactive peace strategy.
- Combating Youth Restiveness and Social Vices: The SAN highlighted the tournament’s role as a constructive diversion. “Football… keeps young people away from negative influences,” he noted. By providing structured engagement, recognition, and positive role models, such initiatives offer an alternative to idleness, which is often a precursor to crime and unrest. This aligns with his promise to continue initiating “youth-friendly policies and programmes that would keep the youths off the streets.”
- Talent Discovery and Economic Empowerment: Ndarani pointed to the untapped potential in rural areas. “Organising football competition in remote areas will bring out the hidden talents that could be stars the nation can be proud of tomorrow.” He ambitiously envisioned these local players becoming “shining stars in Manchester United, Arsenal, among others.” Beyond stardom, he clarified that sports “creates jobs for many youths,” referencing the ecosystem of coaches, officials, venue managers, and small businesses that thrive around sporting events.
The Ripple Effect: Community Engagement and National Implications
The event’s significance was underscored by the high-profile attendance, which included His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, alongside the Shaba Nupe, district heads, local government chairman Alhaji Muhammad Alfa-Maali, and academic leaders like Prof. Tanko Suleiman. This convergence of legal, traditional, and governmental authority around a youth sports event sends a powerful message of unified support for community development.
Ndarani’s initiative serves as a compelling case study in holistic leadership. It moves beyond rhetoric, translating the abstract ideals of “peace” and “unity” into a tangible, participatory experience. The competition leverages football’s universal language to teach teamwork, discipline, and respect for rules—principles that are as vital in civil society as they are on the pitch.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges of national cohesion and youth unemployment, the Hukunchi Nupe Cup model offers a replicable blueprint. It demonstrates how individuals in positions of influence can leverage their resources and status to catalyze local change, using sport not merely as entertainment, but as a deliberate tool for social engineering, talent development, and the fostering of a more peaceful, unified, and productive society.
Reported by Mohammed Baba Busu for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani.
